As used in this article, the term "natural areas" means a tract of land in its natural state which may be set aside and permanently protected or managed for the purpose of the preservation of native plant or animal communities, rare or valuable individual members of such communities, or any other natural features of significant scientific, educational, geological, ecological, or scenic value.
(Ga. L. 1966, p. 330, § 2; Ga. L. 1969, p. 750, § 3.)