About Us
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Our International Network
NatureServe represents a network of member programs comprising 74 independent centres that collect and analyze data about the plants, animals, and ecological communities of the Western Hemisphere. Known in Canada as conservation data centres and in the U.S. as natural heritage programs, these programs operate in all 50 U.S. states, in 11 provinces and territories of Canada, and in many countries and territories of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Conservation Data Centres and Natural Heritage Programs
The role of these programs is to collect, analyze, and distribute detailed scientific information about the biological diversity found within their jurisdictions. Conservation data centres (CDCs) are the leading source of information on the precise locations and conditions of rare and threatened species and ecological communities. Consistent standards for collecting and managing data allow information from different programs to be shared and combined regionally, nationally, and internationally. The nearly 800 staff from across the network are experts in their fields, and include some of the most knowledgeable field biologists, data managers, and conservation planners in their regions.
Biodiversity Information Databases
Information about species and ecological communities is first compiled from existing sources, such as scientific literature and museum collections. Natural heritage biologists then conduct extensive field inventories to locate and verify species populations and to assess their current conservation condition. Each program maintains and continuously updates a sophisticated computer database that tracks the relative rarity of each species or community and the precise location and status of each known population. Representing three decades of continuous ecological inventory and database development, these are the most complete and up-to-date conservation databases available.
How the Information Is Used
The information compiled by the member programs is a powerful conservation tool for planners, landowners, natural area managers, and others. Provincial and federal government departments use the information to aid in land use planning and to assess the status of species and communities. Conservation groups use natural heritage data to identify the most important natural areas and to set conservation priorities. Developers and businesses rely on natural heritage data to comply with environmental laws and to improve the environmental sensitivity of development projects.
Regional Sections
NatureServe’s member programs are organized in three regional sections, through which the programs work together to share common experiences and expertise. For a complete list of these programs and links to their websites, see Visit Local Programs.
Canada
- NatureServe has eight member programs in Canada, operating in all ten provinces and the Yukon Territory. Known as conservation data centres, most are part of provincial wildlife agencies, while one (Atlantic Canada) is a non-governmental organization. NatureServe Canada, NatureServe’s Canadian affiliate, facilitates these programs’ cooperation as a network and coordinates the development of national-scale projects.
United States
- NatureServe has 55 member programs in the United States, operating in all 50 states as well as through several regional entities such as the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Navajo Nation. Generally referred to as natural heritage programs, most U.S. programs are operated as agencies of state government, while some reside within universities or non-profit organizations.
Latin America and the Caribbean
- NatureServe has 11 member programs in Latin America and the Caribbean, operated by a diverse set of institutions, including government agencies, universities, and non-governmental organizations. These conservation data centres operate at national levels (Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Panama, Paraguay, Peru), state levels (Sonora, Mexico), and regional levels (Cauca Valley, Colombia; Northeastern Mexico), as well as within the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico.
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