Each natural heritage program maintains and continuously updates a computerized database that tracks the relative rarity of each species or community and the precise location and status of each known population. The natural heritage databases collectively comprise the most comprehensive existing source of biodiversity information, representing more than 25 years of continuous ecological inventory and database development. The information compiled by natural heritage programs is a powerful conservation tool for land-users and natural area managers. With accurate information, conservation action can be focused on our most important natural areas. Developers, businesses, and public agencies use natural heritage information to comply with environmental laws and to improve the environmental sensitivity of economic development projects.
Local governments use the information to aid in land use planning.
Natural heritage information is used more than 100,000 times each year to the benefit of conservation and our communities.