Accessing NHI Data

Natural Heritage Inventory (NHI) data is information collected in Wisconsin on 1) rare or declining species of plants and animals, for example the pale-purple coneflower or the peregrine falcon, 2) high-quality or rare natural communities, like hemlock relicts or pine barrens, and 3) unique and significant natural features, which include animal concentration areas like bat hibernacula, mussel beds, and migratory bird concentration points, and special geologic features such as caves.

The Endangered Resources Program believes that sharing these NHI data with responsible users is one of the most effective means of protecting endangered resources. The NHI program invests considerable effort into collecting data and managing the NHI database so that the information will be available and used to protect Wisconsin’s biodiversity, not sit on a shelf.

However, these NHI data are considered sensitive for several reasons. First, there is a potential threat to rare species when their locations are publicly known. Illegal collection, in addition to actions of well-intended people who simply are interested in viewing rare species, have impacted several populations of showy and highly sought after species. Second, the potential exists for outright destruction of rare species by those who view them as barriers to resource utilization. For these and other reasons, detailed NHI data are not appropriate for general public distribution. Accordingly, the state legislature specifically exempted NHI data from the state's open-records law when the Wisconsin NHI program was established. The Department has the authority to decide how and what information in the NHI database is distributed outside the agency and has delegated this responsibility to the NHI program.

The NHI program currently shares data with individuals and organizations outside the Department in two ways: by generalizing data and through NHI data sharing agreements.

Generalized NHI data

The NHI Program provides free online access to county-level NHI data through the following three tools. These tools are available free of charge to all users.

• The NHI County Data provide a list of the endangered resources that are known to occur within each Township in a county.
• The NHI County Maps provide specific locational information (to the section level) on occurrences of rare terrestrial and/or aquatic species and habitats occurring in a county.
• The interactive mapping tool on the Aquatic and Terrestrial Resources Inventory (exit DNR) site enables the user to create individualized maps. The NHI County Maps are included as a layer in this application (click on ‘Endangered Resources’), and can be applied with other layers (e.g., land cover, roads, rivers and lakes, DNR lands, county and national forests) to create individualized maps to meet your specific needs. If you have questions about this application, please contact Jill Rosenberg at 608-266-2499.

Sharing of Detailed NHI data

The NHI Program shares detailed, location-specific NHI data with external customers and partners when doing so will serve a conservation purpose and when the requester is willing to enter into a formal NHI License Agreement with the Department. The NHI program follows specific guidelines when distributing information on endangered resources under each license agreement in accordance with Wis. Stats. 23.27 and NR 29.04. Fees for this service are required by Administrative Rule NR 29.04 (1a) [PDF exit DNR]. fees generally range from $500 - $1,000 for a one-year license. Prior to entering into an NHI License Agreement, all individuals requesting access to the data must complete the online NHI Screening and Methodology Training.

Under an NHI License Agreement, NHI data can be provided to customers and partners in two ways:

• NHI Portal (preferred) – An innovative online application which provides full access to the most up-to-date NHI data available. Access to the NHI Portal is granted for the specific geographic area needed by the licensee. Supporting information, including fact sheets and other resources for the species and natural communities included in the NHI database, is built into the application. See NHI Tutorials for more information.
• Customized Data Set – NHI data can also be provided in a Microsoft Word document, GIS shapefile, or hard copy report.