Number of natural heritage resources observed in the field.
Measure Last Modified
04-11-2022 03:58 p.m.
Measure Last Published
04-11-2022 04:22 p.m.
Status
Active
Data Source and Calculation
In order to maintain current and relevant natural community and rare species conservation information, the Department of Conservation and Recreation's (DCR) Natural Heritage staff will conduct observations (field work) to locate new locations, map those locations, and update existing records of global and state rare species and natural communities throughout the year. Natural Heritage will enter this information into DCR's Biotics data management system and report on field work observations from the Biotics System. Field work conducted in a given calendar year is typically processed and entered into Biotics in the 3rd and 4th quarters of the following fiscal year.
Enterprise Priorities and Strategies
Initiative
Priority
Strategy
Natural Resources
Land Conservation
Implement a targeted, strategic land conservation plan that protects Virginia’s biodiversity and public access.
Natural Resources
Climate Change
Prepare the Commonwealth for the effects of climate change and reduce the state’s contribution to its causes.
Associated Service Areas
Service Area Code
Service Area Name
50317
Natural Heritage Preservation and Management
Targets and Baselines
Name
Date
Result
Note
Baseline
None
Short Target 2025
None
None
Long Target 2027
None
None
Results
Year
Result
Note
2013
243
DCR staff conduct field work to locate new mapped locations and update existing records of exemplary natural communities and global and state rare species throughout the calendar year. Field work conducted in a given calendar year is processed and entered into DCR's database in the following calendar year. For Fiscal Year 2013, the total number of resources observed represent findings made in the 2012 calendar year.
2014
260
Department of Conservation and Recreation staff conduct field work to locate new mapped locations and update existing records of exemplary natural communities and global and state rare species throughout the calendar year. Field work conducted in a given calendar year is processed and entered into the Department's Biotics database in the following calendar year. For Fiscal Year 2014, the total number of resources observed represent findings made in the 2013 calendar year.
2015
348
Department of Conservation and Recreation staff conduct field work to locate new mapped locations and update existing records of exemplary natural communities and global and state rare species throughout the calendar year. Field work conducted in a given calendar year is processed and entered into the Department's Biotics database in the following calendar year. For Fiscal Year 2015, the total number of resources observed represent findings made in the 2014 calendar year.
2016
261
A total of 261 mapped locations of exemplary natural communities and global and state rare species (natural heritage resources) were visited for the first time or revisited and updated in CY2015.
2017
344
Department of Conservation and Recreation staff conduct field work to locate new mapped locations and update existing records of exemplary natural communities and global and state rare species throughout the calendar year. Field work conducted in a given calendar year is processed and entered into the Department's Biotics database in the following calendar year. For Fiscal Year 2017, the total number of resources observed represent findings made in the 2016 calendar year.
2018
405
Department of Conservation and Recreation staff conduct field word to locate new mapped locations and update existing records of exemplary natural communities and global and state rare species throughout the calendar year. Field work conducted in a given calendar year is processed and entered into the Department's Biotics database in the following calendar year. For FY18, the total number of resources observed represent findings made in the 2017 calendar year.
2019
388
Department of Conservation and Recreation staff conduct field word to locate new mapped locations and update existing records of exemplary natural communities and global and state rare species throughout the calendar year. Field work conducted in a given calendar year is processed and entered into the Department's Biotics database in the following calendar year. For FY19, the total number of resources observed represent findings made in the 2018 calendar year.