Natural Heritage

What Is The Natural Heritage Bureau?

The Natural Heritage Bureau (NHB) is part of the Division of Forests and Lands in the NH Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. NHB provides information on New Hampshire’s native plants and natural communities to landowners, land managers, State and Federal agencies, and non-profit organizations. We serve as a resource to help protect the State's biodiversity while meeting land-use needs.

What Is The Mission Of The Natural Heritage Bureau?

Our mission, as mandated by the Native Plant Protection Act of 1987 (RSA 217-A), is to determine protection and conservation measures and requirements necessary for the survival of native plant species in the State, to investigate the condition and degree of rarity of plant species, and to distribute information regarding the condition and protection of these species and their habitats. 

What Does The Natural Heritage Bureau Do?

The ecologists and botanists in NHB collect and analyze data on the status, location, and distribution of native plant species and natural communities in NH. We also work with organizations like the Native Plant Trust (NPT), whose scientists and Plant Conservation Volunteers monitor many rare plant populations throughout the state. NHB and NPT conduct surveys on public lands, and only conduct surveys on private lands when we have been granted explicit landowner permission. Using this data, we develop and implement measures for the protection, conservation, enhancement, and management of native New Hampshire plants. 

NHB maintains a database with information on over 7,600 native plant, wildlife, and exemplary natural community records in New Hampshire. We maintain information on rare wildlife in cooperation with the NH Fish & Game Department's Nongame & Endangered Wildlife Program, which has legal jurisdiction over New Hampshire wildlife. To report a sighting of a rare wildlife species to NH Fish & Game, please visit the NH Wildlife Sightings website.