• 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.   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 (1,000 to 2,000 words) See the titles currently available for review. Prospective book reviewers can contact the Book Review Editor to request books or for additional guidance. Publishers, get in touch with 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 office; 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

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

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.

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.