Keeley Creek Natural Area is a Research Natural Area and a National Natural Landmark that is protected by the

United States Department of Agriculture The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the United States federal executive departments, federal executive department responsible for developing and executing federal laws related to farming, forestry, rural economic development, ...

, specifically through the branch of the Forest Service. It is located in Stony River Township, in Lake County, Minnesota, and is part of the Superior National Forest.

History of Keeley Creek Natural Area

In 1942, of land was designated a Research Natural Area. The National Park Service describes the area as "a large tract of undisturbed mixed pine and black spruce forest with rare mature jackpine stands and significant upland bogs". In February 1980, the United States Secretary of the Interior designated a area, including Keeley Creek Natural Area, as a National Natural Landmark under the Historic Sites Act. This designation recognizes the area as an outstanding example of the United States' natural history.

Ecology

Keeley Creek is a forested area that consists mainly of native

fir Firs (''Abies'') are a genus of 48–56 species of evergreen coniferous trees in the family (biology), family Pinaceae. They are found on mountains throughout much of North America, North and Central America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa. The ...

trees including mostly

Jackpine Jack pine (''Pinus banksiana'') is an eastern North American pine. Its native range in Canada is east of the Rocky Mountains from the Mackenzie River in the Northwest Territories to Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, and the north-central and n ...

and

Black Spruce ''Picea mariana'', the black spruce, is a North American species of spruce tree in the pine family. It is widespread across Canada, found in all 10 provinces and all 3 territories. It is the official tree of the province of Newfoundland and Labra ...

. White-tailed deer,

snowshoe rabbit The snowshoe hare (''Lepus americanus''), also called the varying hare or snowshoe rabbit, is a species of hare found in North America. It has the name "snowshoe" because of the large size of its hind feet. The animal's feet prevent it from sink ...

, and ruffed grouse are common in the area. In the 21st century, the make-up of the Keeley Creek is changing due to fire suppression. Fire benefits Jack pines and black spruce by causing germination of their seeds and by clearing the forest canopy, allowing more direct sunlight for young trees. Without fire, jack pines and spruce can be overtaken by more shade-tolerant plants.

References

{{authority control Protected areas of Lake County, Minnesota Wilderness areas of Minnesota National Natural Landmarks in Minnesota Superior National Forest