Natural Heritage Inventory Projects

The Natural Heritage Inventory (NHI) Program conducts field surveys for rare species and natural communities throughout Wisconsin. Initial inventories take a broad look at the entire region under study to identify and assess ecological attributes and natural communities and habitats present. Then, finer level inventories are carried out that focus on groups of species such as birds, butterflies, aquatic invertebrates, and plants. Inventory results are analyzed along with other information to identify ecologically significant sites. Some of these sites become designated as State Natural Areas while others are purchased by private land trusts or conserved through state and local planning efforts. They are all providing some critical function on the landscape (such as corridors for movement, undisturbed habitat, or ecosystem support) or have potential for restoration.

The NHI Program has several projects underway at any given time. The following are current or recently completed inventory projects. Explore them to learn more about ecologically significant sites in Wisconsin and the natural communities and rare species present there.