Black Hills RNA

Black Hills Research Natural Area (RNA) was established to represent an exposed ash bed plant community. The RNA is located in a group of low-lying hills. Western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) dominates the RNA while ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) is also present. Sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) and gooseberry (Ribes cereum) are common shrubs.  Snowline cymopterus (Cymopterus nivalis) and Cusick's buckwheat (Eriogonum cusickii) are sensitive plant species found throughout the RNA.