Protected Area Database - TN

This page was generated on Dec 05, 2020

This analysis was generated by the OPUSInspect script, created by Brian Sperlongano. Conflation data provided by Kevin Kenney. The purpose of this analysis is to identify the IUCN Protection Category that should be tagged using the protect_class=* key for protected areas in each state in the United States. In addition, this script locates protected areas that are already tagged in OpenStreetMap and matches them by location and name with PAD-US in order to identify areas which may be incorrectly tagged with protect_class=*.

Protected areas that are not assigned an IUCN Category should still be tagged leisure=nature_reserve (which renders in Carto), but omit protect_class=*. Be aware that minor differences in naming or spelling may cause false positives or negatives; mappers should examine this table carefully.

Additionally, mappers should consult the PAD-US map-based viewer when making a determination:

The PAD-US Data Source

As a work of the United States Federal Government, the PAD-US database is in the Public Domain and is suitable as a data source for OpenStreetMap. PAD-US is an aggregation over over 100 other data sources. Mappers should inspect PAD-US for accuracy and assume that there may be errors.

Note that:

Legend

IUCN Category Meaning Suggested Tagging
Ia IUCN Category Ia: Strict Nature Reserve protect_class=1a
Ib IUCN Category Ib: Wilderness protect_class=1b
II IUCN Category II: National Park protect_class=2
III IUCN Category III: Natural Monument or Feature protect_class=3
IV IUCN Category IV: Habitat/Species Management Area protect_class=4
V IUCN Category V: Protected Landscape/Seascape protect_class=5
VI IUCN Category VI: Protected Area with Sustainable Use of Natural Resources protect_class=6
Other No assigned IUCN Category
Ia, IV, V Multiple categories

This script output is a work in progress and may not be reliable.

Table of IUCN Categorized Protected Areas in TN

IUCN Categorized Protected Areas in TN
Area [1] IUCN
Cat[2]
Ownership Type[1] Owner Operator
(unnamed) This area is tagged with protect_class=*, but the PAD-US database could not find an IUCN categorized protected area at this location
A.E.D.C. Wildlife Management Area V DOD Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Alpine Mountain Wildlife Management Area V PVT Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Alpine Mountains Matrix Conservation Area Fee V NGO The Nature Conservancy
Amnicola Refuge V SFW City of Chattanooga
Andrew Johnson Game Refuge V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency United States Forest Service
Arnold Hollow Wildlife Management Area V PVT Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Bark Camp Barrens Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Barkley Wildlife Management Area V USACE Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Barnett'S Woods Designated State Natural Area V SDC Unknown Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
Bays Mountain Park Designated State Natural Area V CITY Unknown
Bean Switch Refuge V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Bear Hollow Mountain Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Bear Hollow Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Beason Creek Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Beech River Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Bellamy Cave Refuge V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Big Bone Cave Designaed State Natural Area V SDC Unknown
Big Sandy Wildlife Management Area V TVA Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Birch Branch Fee V NGO The Nature Conservancy United States Forest Service
Black Bayou Refuge V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
  • United States Fish and Wildlife Service; Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation; Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
  • Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Blackburn Fork Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Bogota Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Bon Aqua Woods Designated State Natural Area V SDC Unknown
Bordeaux Heronry Refuge V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Bridgestone/Firestone Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Buffalo Ridge Refuge V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Buffalo SPrings Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Bumpus Cove Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency United States Forest Service
Busseltown Unit IV FWS Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge
Camden Wildlife Management Area V TVA Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Carroll Cabin Barrens Designated State Natural Area V SDC Unknown
Catoosa Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency National Park Service
Cedar Hill Swamp V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Centennial Wilderness Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Chambers Creek Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Charlotte Anne Finnell Neal Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Cheatham Lake Wildlife Management Area V USACE Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Cheatham Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Cherokee National Forest Fee V NGO The Nature Conservancy
Chickamauga Wildlife Management Area V SFW, TVA Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge IV FWS Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge
Chickasaw State Forest & Wildlife Management Area V OTHS Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency/State Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry
Chimney'S Designated State Natural Area V SDC Unknown
Chuck Swan Wildlife Management Area V TVA Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Clifty Creek Gorge Fee V NGO The Nature Conservancy
Col. Forrest V. Durand Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Colditz Cove Designated State Natural Area V SDC Unknown
Cordell Hull Refuge V USACE Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Cordell Hull Wildlife Management Area V USACE Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Couchville Cedar Glade Designated State Natural Area V SDC Unknown
Cove Creek Wildlife Management Area V, Other UNK, SFW
  • Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
  • Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Crabb-Druff Refuge This area is tagged with protect_class=*, but the PAD-US database could not find an IUCN categorized protected area at this location
Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge IV FWS Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge
Crowder Cemetery Barrens Designated State Natural Area V PVT Unknown
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park V NPS NPS United States National Park Service
Cummings Cove Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Cypress Pond Refuge V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Devil'S Backbone Designated State Natural Area V SDC Unknown National Park Service
Dry Branch Designated State Natural Area V SDC Unknown
Duck River Megasite Fee V NGO The Nature Conservancy
Duck River Unit IV FWS Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge
Dyson Ditch Refuge V USACE Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Eagle Lake Refuge V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Elk Knob State Park This area is tagged with protect_class=*, but the PAD-US database could not find an IUCN categorized protected area at this location
Enterprise South Park Wildlife Management Area V DOD Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Ernest Rice Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Falling Water Falls Designated State Natural Area V SDC Unknown
Flat Rock Cedar Barren And Glade Designated State Natural Area V SDC Unknown
Flintville Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Foothills Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency National Park Service
Ford Swamp Refuge V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Forks Of The River Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Fort Donelson National Battlefield III NPS NPS
Fort Loudoun Wildlife Management Area V TVA Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Fort Ridge Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Fourth Fractional Township Wildlife Management Area V CNTY Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Gallatin Steam Plant Wildlife Management Area V TVA Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Gerland Creek This area is tagged with protect_class=*, but the PAD-US database could not find an IUCN categorized protected area at this location
Gerwin Refuge This area is tagged with protect_class=*, but the PAD-US database could not find an IUCN categorized protected area at this location
Ghost River Designated State Natural Area V SDC Unknown Wolf River Conservancy
Gooch Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Gower Refuge This area is tagged with protect_class=*, but the PAD-US database could not find an IUCN categorized protected area at this location
Grays Creek Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Great Smoky Mountains National Park II DESG Unknown United States Forest Service
Haley-Jaqueth Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Hampton Creek Cove Designated State Natural Area V SDC Unknown United States Forest Service
Happy Hollow Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Harmon Creek Wildlife Management Area V TVA Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Harp Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Harts Mill Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge IV FWS Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge
Haynes Bottom Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Headwaters Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Henderson Island Refuge V TVA Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Hickory Flat Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Hicks Gap Natural Area This area is tagged with protect_class=*, but the PAD-US database could not find an IUCN categorized protected area at this location
Hiwassee Refuge V TVA Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Hog Creek Refuge V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Hop-In Refuge V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Horns Bluff Refuge V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
House Mountain Designated State Natural Area V SDC Unknown
Hubbard'S Cave Fee V NGO The Nature Conservancy
Jackson Swamp Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Jarrell Switch Refuge V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Joachim Bible Refuge V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
John Tully Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
John and Hester Lane Cedar Glades Designated State Natural Area V SDC Unknown
Kelsey Refuge This area is tagged with protect_class=*, but the PAD-US database could not find an IUCN categorized protected area at this location
Keyes-Harrison Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Tennessee Department of Enviroment and Convservation
Kingston Refuge Wildlife Management Area V TVA Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Kyker Bottoms Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Kyle'S Ford Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Kyles Ford Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Lake Isom National Wildlife Refuge IV FWS Lake Isom National Wildlife Refuge United States Deparment of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service
Lake Lauderdale Refuge V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Langford Branch Designated State Natural Area V NGO Unknown
Laurel Hill Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency National Park Service
Lick Creek Bottoms Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Lick Creek Wildlife Management Area V TVA Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Lock 5 Refuge V USACE Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Long Pond Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Loosahatchie Refuge
V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Tennessee Department of General Services; Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Lower Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge IV FWS Lower Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge
Lucius Burch Jr Forest Designated State Natural Area V CNTY Unknown Tennessee Department of Envrionemt and Conservation
Luper Mountain Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Lytle Creek Refuge V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
MTSU Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Maness Swamp Refuge V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Manus Road Cedar Glade Designated State Natural Area V SDC Unknown
Maple Springs Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
May Prairie Designated State Natural Area V SDC Unknown
Mcglothlin-Largen Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Mckinley Branch V TVA Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Meeman-Shelby Forest Wildlife Management Area V OTHS Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Middle Fork Forked Deer Refuge V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Mingo Swamp Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Morgan Refuge This area is tagged with protect_class=*, but the PAD-US database could not find an IUCN categorized protected area at this location
Morrison Meadow Designated State Natural Area V SDC Unknown
Moss Island Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Mount View Glade State Natural Area V SDC Unknown
Mt. Roosevelt Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Mullins Island Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Murfree SPrings Refuge V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Natchez Trace Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Natural Bridge Designated State Natural Area V SDC Unknown
New Hope Wildlife Management Area V TVA Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Normandy Wildlife Management Area V TVA Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
North Cherokee National Forest & Wildlife Management Area V USFS Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
North Chickamauga Creek Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Tennessee Department of Enviroment and Convservation
Oak Ridge Wildlife Management Area V DOE Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Obed Wild & Scenic River Fee V NGO The Nature Conservancy National Park Service
Obion River Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Old Forest Designated State Natural Area V CITY Overton Park Conservancy
Old Hickory Wildlife Management Area V USACE Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Orchard Road Bog Fee V NGO The Nature Conservancy
Overbridge Designated State Natural Area V SDC Unknown
Owl Hollow Mill Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
PCON167 V PVT Unknown
PCON168 V PVT Unknown
PCON169 V PVT Unknown
Paint Rock Refuge V TVA Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Pardue Pond Refuge V USACE Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Parker Branch Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Pea Ridge Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Percy Priest Wildlife Management Area V USACE Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Perry Switch Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Phipps Bend Wildlife Refuge V SFW, TVA Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Powell River TNC Preserve Designated State Natural Area V SDC Unknown
Prenitice Cooper State Forest This area is tagged with protect_class=*, but the PAD-US database could not find an IUCN categorized protected area at this location
Prentice Cooper State Forest This area is tagged with protect_class=*, but the PAD-US database could not find an IUCN categorized protected area at this location
Prentice Cooper State Forest & Wildlife Management Area V OTHS Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Prentice Cooper Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Quarry Bog Fee V NGO The Nature Conservancy
Rankin Bottom Wildlife Management Area V TVA Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Reelfoot Lake V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge IV FWS
  • Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
  • Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Reelfoot Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Riverwoods Designated State Natural Area V SDC Unknown City of Germantown; Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
Rugby Designated State Natural Area V SDC Unknown National Park Service
SRMA10 V PVT Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
SRMA11 V PVT Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency National Park Service
SRMA5 V PVT Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
SRMA6 V PVT Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
SRMA7 V PVT Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
SRMA8 V PVT Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
SRMA9 V PVT Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency National Park Service
Schoolyard Springs Fee V NGO The Nature Conservancy
Scotts Pinnacle V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Sequatchie Cave Designated State Natural Area V SDC Unknown
Shelton Ferry Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Sherrod Hill Reserve This area is tagged with protect_class=*, but the PAD-US database could not find an IUCN categorized protected area at this location
Short Springs Designated State Natural Area V SDC Unknown
South Cherokee Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
South Fork Waterfowl Refuge V OTHS, SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Spring Creek Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Stillhouse Hollow Falls Designated State Natural Area V NGO Unknown
Sunk Lake Designated State Natural Area V SDC Unknown
Sunnybell Cedar Glade Designated State Natural Area V SDC Unknown
Tackett Creek Wildlife Management Area V PVT Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Tennessee Department of Enviroment and Convservation
Tally Wilderness V NGO The Nature Conservancy
Tally Wilderness Fee V NGO The Nature Conservancy
Taylor Hollow Fee V NGO The Nature Conservancy
Tellico Lake - Chota Unit V UNK Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Tellico Lake Wildlife Management Area V, Other UNK, TVA
  • Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
  • Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge IV, Other UNK Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Ageny Region 1 Office V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
The Boils Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Thorny Cypress Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Three Bend Scenic & Wildlife Refuge V DOE Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Tigrett Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Tull Bottom Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Tumbleweed Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Twin Arches V NPS Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area National Park Service
US-AR-30-3 This area is tagged with protect_class=*, but the PAD-US database could not find an IUCN categorized protected area at this location
US-MS-58-29 This area is tagged with protect_class=*, but the PAD-US database could not find an IUCN categorized protected area at this location
US-TN-72-1 This area is tagged with protect_class=*, but the PAD-US database could not find an IUCN categorized protected area at this location
US-TN-72-2 This area is tagged with protect_class=*, but the PAD-US database could not find an IUCN categorized protected area at this location
US-TN-87-4 Mitigation Area This area is tagged with protect_class=*, but the PAD-US database could not find an IUCN categorized protected area at this location
Vesta Cedar Glade Designated State Natural Area V SDC Unknown
Walker Branch Hills Designated State Natural Area V SDC Unknown
Walls of Jericho Designated State Natural Area V SDC Unknown
Walterhill Floodplain Designated State Natural Area V SDC Unknown
Wash Morgan Hollow Fee V NGO The Nature Conservancy
Watauga River Bluffs Designated State Natural Area V SDC Unknown
Waterbury Refuge V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency; Wolf River Conservancy
Watts Bar Wildlife Management Area V TVA Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Weltands Reserve Program Area This area is tagged with protect_class=*, but the PAD-US database could not find an IUCN categorized protected area at this location
West Sandy Wildlife Management Area V TVA Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Wetlands Reserve Program Area, Shelby, Arkansas This area is tagged with protect_class=*, but the PAD-US database could not find an IUCN categorized protected area at this location
Wetlands Reserve Program Area, Shelby, Tennessee This area is tagged with protect_class=*, but the PAD-US database could not find an IUCN categorized protected area at this location
Wetlands Reserve, Fayette County, TN This area is tagged with protect_class=*, but the PAD-US database could not find an IUCN categorized protected area at this location
Wetlands Reserve, Lauderdale County, TN This area is tagged with protect_class=*, but the PAD-US database could not find an IUCN categorized protected area at this location
Wetlands Reserve, Tipton County This area is tagged with protect_class=*, but the PAD-US database could not find an IUCN categorized protected area at this location
White Lake Refuge V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
White Oak Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Whites Mill Refuge V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
William L. Davenport Refuge V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Williamsport Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Wilson School Road Designated State Natural Area V SDC Unknown
Wolf River Macrosite This area is tagged with protect_class=*, but the PAD-US database could not find an IUCN categorized protected area at this location
Wolf River Macrosite Fee V NGO The Nature Conservancy The Nature Conservancy; Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
Wolf River Wildlife Management Area Unit 1 V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
Wolf River Wildlife Management Area Unit 2 V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Wolfe Refuge This area is tagged with protect_class=*, but the PAD-US database could not find an IUCN categorized protected area at this location
Yanahli Wildlife Management Area V SFW Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Yuchi Refuge V, Other UNK, SFW
  • Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
  • Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

References

  1. ^ Areas listed in the PAD-US are linked to the approximate area (by bounding box). Matching areas tagged in OSM are listed, with the most significant protected area tag listed.
  2. ^ International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) management categories assigned to protected areas for inclusion in the United Nations Environment World Conservation Monitoring Center (UNEP-WCMC) World Database for Protected Areas (WDPA) and the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) North American Terrestrial Protected Areas Database. IUCN defines a protected area as, "A clearly defined geographical space, recognized, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values" (includes GAP Status Code 1 and 2 only). Categorization follows as:
    • IUCN Category Ia - Strict Nature Reserves are strictly protected areas set aside to protect biodiversity and possibly geological or geomorphological features, where human visitation, use and impacts are strictly controlled and limited to ensure preservation of the conservation values. Such protected areas can serve as indispensable reference areas for scientific research and monitoring;
    • IUCN Category Ib - Wilderness Areas protected areas are usually large unmodified or slightly modified areas, retaining their natural character and influence, without permanent or significant human habitation, which are protected and managed to preserve their natural condition;
    • IUCN Category II - National Park protected areas are large natural or near natural areas set aside to protect large-scale ecological processes, along with the complement of species and ecosystems characteristic of the area, which also provide a foundation for environmentally and culturally compatible spiritual, scientific, educational, recreational and visitor opportunities;
    • IUCN Category III - Natural Monument or Feature protected areas are set aside to protect a specific natural monument, which can be a landform, seamount, submarine caverns, geological features such as caves, or even a living feature such as an ancient grove. They are generally quite small protected areas and often have high visitor value;
    • IUCN Category IV - Habitat and (or) species management protected areas aim to protect particular species or habitats and management reflects this priority. Many category IV protected areas will need regular, active interventions to address the requirements of particular species or to maintain habitats, but this is not a requirement of this category;
    • IUCN Category V Protected landscape and (or) seascape protected areas occur where the interaction of people and nature over time has produced an area of distinct character with significant ecological, biological, cultural, and scenic value;
    • IUCN Category VI - Protected area with sustainable use (community based, non-industrial) of natural resources are generally large, with much of the area in a more-or-less natural condition and whereas a proportion is under sustainable natural resource management and where such exploitation is seen as one of the main aims of the area.
    • Other Conservation Areas are not recognized by IUCN at this time; however, they will be evaluated to determine if they meet the definition of Other Effective Area Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) for inclusion in the WDPA following recently released guidance. These areas (GAP Status Code 3 areas only) are attributed in the 'IUCN Category' Domain along with 'Unassigned' areas (GAP Status Code 4).
    • In addition, a few areas are included as 'Not Reported', these areas meet the definition of IUCN protection (i.e. GAP Status Code 1 or 2) but 'IUCN Category' has not yet been assigned and categorical assignment is not appropriate. See the PAD-US Data Manual for a summary of methods.
  3. ^ The general land owner description (e.g. 'Federal', 'Territorial', 'American Indian Lands', 'State', 'Regional Agency Special District', 'Local Government', 'Non-Governmental Organization', 'Private', 'Joint') standardized for the U.S. See PAD-US Data Manual for the “Agency Name to Agency Type Crosswalk� or geodatabase look up table for full domain descriptions. 'Regional Agency Special Districts' include limited purpose governmental units that exist separately from local governments such as county or municipal. 'Designation' is applied to designations overlapping fee lands as ownership is not applicable. Use the 'Manager Type' field for the best general depiction of Federal lands as several ownership related data gaps (i.e. 'Owner Type' = 'Unknown') occur in the Federal theme