Natural Heritage Element Occurrences

The Natural Heritage Program collects information on occurrences of rare plants, animals, natural communities, and animal assemblages. Collectively, these are referred to as elements of natural diversity or simply as elements. Locations of these elements are referred to as element occurrences.

Use our Data Explorer or Database Search for information on element occurrences.

Many element occurrences are on private land and are not accessible without landowner permission.

across 1900+ elements we track including records for the following groups: 

• vertebrate animals
• invertebrate animals
• vascular plants
• nonvascular plants
• animal assemblages
• natural communities