The Natural Areas Journal (NAJ) is a peer-reviewed, quarterly publication

and the leading voice in natural areas management and preservation

The NAJ now offers a new article type and format-free submissions. 

LEARN MORE in the most recent editorial from editor, Tara Cornelisse, Ph.D.

The Natural Areas Journal features peer-reviewed original research and articles on topics such as applied conservation biology, ecological restoration, natural areas management, ecological assessment and monitoring, invasive and exotic species management, habitat protection, fire ecology, and many more.

It also includes writing on conservation issues, forums, topic reviews, editorials, state and federal natural area activities and book reviews. In addition, we publish special issues on various topics.

Subscriptions to the Natural Areas Journal are a benefit of membership. Join NAA and never miss an issue!

Natural Areas Association members receive a subscription to the Journal as part of the benefits of membership.

NAA Members, to access the Natural Areas Journal online, go to the Member Login. 

Editorial Staff

Editor: Tara Cornelisse
tcornelisse@naturalareas.org

Tara Cornelisse received a PhD in Environmental Studies from the University of California Santa Cruz. She also holds a BA in Biology from Boston University and a MS in Conservation Biology from San Francisco State University. Throughout her career in both academic and nonprofit science, Tara has focused on species conservation, natural resources management, and outreach and education. Her work has included habitat restoration in coastal prairies, fire management in oak woodlands, recreational impacts in dune ecosystems, grazing in remnant grasslands, pollinator conservation, and endangered species policy. She is also the Lead Zoologist at NatureServe where she works with network partners in the US and Canada to advance biodiversity knowledge to inform conservation actions. 

Managing Editor: Scott Gillihan
sgillihan@naturalareas.org

Scott Gillihan has a BS in Wildlife Biology and an MA in Zoology. His many years of work as a biologist took him from grasslands to alpine tundra, with particular emphasis on forested ecosystems. His parallel interest in communications led to his current work as a copyeditor, managing editor and editor-in-chief of scientific and popular publications.

Submissions

Interested in submitting a manuscript or article to the Natural Areas Journal? ff

• Read a Sample Article 
• Submit a Manuscript
• Guidelines for Authors
  
  
• Research Articles (<10,000 words)  Peer-reviewed articles that report results of original, data and hypothesis driven theoretical, empirical, or synthetic research in which new data, concepts or applications are presented. Submission text should include clearly defined introduction, methods, results, and discussion sections with a conclusion on the research’s implications for natural areas. 
  
  
• Research Notes (< 3,000 words)  Peer-reviewed articles that report results of original, data and hypothesis driven research of a smaller scope with limited or preliminary data or descriptive analysis, and/or limited to no replication. Submission text should include clearly defined introduction, methods, results, and discussion sections with a conclusion on the research’s implications for natural areas. 
  
  
• Stewardship in Action articles (< 5000 words)  Reviewed by the Editorial Board, these articles include, but are not limited to, describing stewardship techniques or methods, innovative ideas, or best management practices, whether successful or not. Submissions should generally include details on goals, project area, methods, and broader applications.  
  
  
• Natural History articles (< 5000 words)  Reviewed by the Editorial Board, these articles discuss descriptive or opportunistic novel observations that add to our understanding of natural area biodiversity, ecology, or management. Submissions should include a detailed description of the observation or phenomena, location information, any methods, and how it adds to current knowledge. CLICK HERE to learn about this new format from the editor.
  
  
• Conservation Issues articles (< 5,000 words) Reviewed by the Editorial Board, these articles discuss current topics, events, legislation, trends, emerging issues, or historical perspectives related to natural areas or the profession. Submissions should be evidence-based and include a description of the issue or topic and implications for conservation in natural areas.  
  
  
• Book Reviews CLICK HERE to learn more.
  
  
• Format-Free Submissions The Natural Areas Journal is format-free. As such, beyond the guidelines outlined above, you may submit your manuscript, tables, figures, supplemental material, and references in any scholarly format or layout. References can be in any style or format, as long as they are in a consistent scholarly citation format that includes the author name(s), year of publication, article or chapter title, journal or book title, and volume and issue (where appropriate). If your manuscript is accepted for publication, our managing editor will format your manuscript to match the publisher’s requirements.

* Authors planning to submit manuscripts significantly longer than 10,000 words should first contact the Editor.

Page Charges for Journal Authors

Copying and Permissions

Authorization to reproduce articles or material from the Natural Areas Journal beyond one copy for personal use, or that permitted by sections 107 and 108 of U.S. Copyright Law, may be granted for a fee. For more information, please contact the Copyright Clearance Center at www.copyright.com or 978-750-8400.

Library Subscriptions

One-year Library subscription: $260
Additional Postage: $30 Canada/Mexico
All other countries: $50

Order Online

We encourage libraries to subscribe to the Natural Areas Journal as the publication of record for natural areas management and preservation.

An annual subscription includes four hardcopy issues, mailed out in January, April, July and October. Online access is not included but can be purchased through BioOne.

Subscriptions and renewals are for a one-year term, based on the date payment is processed. If your preferred subscription schedule is Jan-Dec, please ensure that payment is received no later than December 31 for the upcoming year. If payment is received after January 1, missed issues for the previous calendar year may not be available depending upon inventory. International addresses will be required to pay postage and handling for any missed issues due to late payment.

Claims

• Claims must be submitted within 6 months of the Journal issue date.
• Claims must include the recipient librarys contact name and email address.
• Submit a Claim

Contact us with questions. We thank you for your subscription!

Book Reviews

BOOK LIST: See the titles currently available for review

Interested in submitting a book review? Prospective book reviewers can contact the Book Review Editor to request books or for additional guidance.

Publishers, please contact the Book Review Editor to inquire if your book/publication is suitable for the NAJ.

Do not send book previews and samples to the NAA; we cannot receive them there. Instead, send to this address:

Scott Rush, Ph.D.
Box 9690 Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS 39762

Special Issues/ Compendia

The Natural Areas Journal regularly publishes special issues that focus on a particular topic of interest to our members. Interested in supporting a special issue on a particular topic? We welcome collaboration! Contact Us to Discuss.

Recent Special Issues and Compendia

Volume 44:5

Invasive Species Compendium 

Published in 2024, this issue is devoted to evaluating the state of scientific research on how practices used to restore and manage conservation lands (forests, parks, wildlife management areas, nature preserves, etc.) affect water quality, water quantity, and freshwater ecosystems. 

Volume 39:1

Land Stewardship from a Water Resource Perspective

Published in 2019, this issue is devoted to evaluating the state of scientific research on how practices used to restore and manage conservation lands (forests, parks, wildlife management areas, nature preserves, etc.) affect water quality, water quantity, and freshwater ecosystems. 

Volume 38:3

Fire Compendium 2

Published in 2018, this issue contains 44 articles related to fire ecology and management, published in the Natural Areas Journal between 2008 and 2017.

Volume 36:4

Managing for Pollinators on Natural Areas

Published in 2016, this issue serves as a resource that summarizes plant-pollinator systems in natural areas. It  reaches and serves a wide audience: educators, scientists, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, businesses and others interested in this vital subject.

Volume 35:1

Using Native Plant Materials in Restoration

Published in 2015, articles cover the latest research, concepts, and best management practices for preservation and use of native plants in natural areas restoration.

This special Journal issue serves as an enduring go-to reference for land management professionals and others charged with natural areas restoration.

Additional Compendia

• Public Access 
  
• Fire Compendium 1: 1983-2009 
  
• Old Growth