Natural Heritage Inventory (NHI) Training Information

The Endangered Resources Review Program currently offers Introductory NHI Screening and Methodology Training to DNR staff and to external individuals and organizations with whom the program has an NHI license agreement. This training provides information on the Wisconsin NHI Program and the Wisconsin Endangered Species Law, details the endangered resource screening process and how to access NHI data via the web-based NHI Portal, and outlines resources for additional information about protected species and habitats.

Who should take this training?

• DNR Employees
  Staff within many DNR programs are responsible for screening various types of projects and activities (e.g., permit and grant applications, DNR land management and construction projects) for potential impacts to endangered resources. It is required that this screening be conducted for any action the Department conducts, funds, or approves on private or public lands with the potential for impacting lands, wetlands or waterbodies.
  
  The NHI data are the primary- but not only!- information used in this screening process. Any DNR staff who use NHI data in their work need to take and remain up-to-date on this training. If you have not taken the training in five or more years, we strongly recommend that you retake it, both to refresh your knowledge and to receive updated information.
• External Users of NHI Data
  In order to receive and maintain access to detailed NHI data, external users are required to take the NHI training, and to re-take it periodically. Potential external trainees should initiate the NHI License Agreement process prior to registering for and taking the NHI training.

Training Information

The training has been divided into several sessions and typically takes 4-5 hours to complete. It provides answers to the basic questions of what is legally protected, how to screen, and what to do with search results. It also gives an overview of the NHI Program and demonstrates how to access detailed NHI data through the NHI Portal.

DNR staff may take the training at any time by following the steps below. Potential external trainees need to initiate the NHI data sharing agreement process prior to taking the training.

1. Register for the training by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page. DNR staff should supply a budget code for the $15 training fee at this time.
2. You’ll receive a confirmation email with a link to the NHI training page and instructions on how to take the training. External trainees will receive payment instructions in this confirmation email.