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©2003 KBS

Cave Salamander Photo Credit: Suzanne L. Collins, CNAH.

The Kansas Natural Heritage Inventory undertakes a variety of research and inventory projects throughout the state and the Great Plains region. Site-specific biological inventories involve determining the presence and status of threatened, endangered, and other sensitive species, general floral and faunal inventories, and characterization of natural communities. This provides baseline natural resources information that can be used to identify high priority biological resources, develop conservation measures, meet regulatory requirements, and guide land management practices. General plant and animal surveys increase our knowledge of the distribution and habitat associations of rare species. These surveys provide data useful in listing packages for protected species, biogeographic studies, and population trend analyses. Restoration and mitigation projects provide an understanding of plant community dynamics that allows us to attempt to create functional habitats that best replicate natural communities.

Throughout the years we have worked with many partners from federal and state agencies, conservation organizations, and the private sector. Our federal partners include the Department of Defense, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Geological Survey, National Park Service, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. State partners include the Department of Wildlife and Parks, Department of Transportation, Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce and Housing, Water Office, and the Kansas Corporation Commission. Some of our many private partners include Western Resources, DowElanco, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and several private individuals.