It shall be the duty of the Department of Natural Resources under this article, and it shall have the power and authority, to:

(1) Determine the acceptance or rejection of areas of special scientific interest that may be offered as a donation by individuals or organizations for preservation;

(2) Make recommendations to appropriate federal agencies or national scientific organizations of areas in the state that are considered worthy to be listed as natural areas of national importance;

(3) Prepare and publish an official state list of natural areas available for research and the teachings of conservation and natural history and recommend publication of studies made in connection with these areas;

(4) Cooperate with federal agencies, other states, counties, or organizations concerned with purposes similar to those to be carried out by the department under this article; and

(5) Take such other action as may be deemed advisable to facilitate the administration, development, maintenance, or protection of the natural area system or any part or parts thereof.