Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program
One of WPC's Heritage Program's main projects is the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP). PNHP is a statewide effort to keep tabs on species and habitats, especially endangered resources. PNHP was established in 1981 through a WPC partnership with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Science Office of The Nature Conservancy in eastern PA. PNHP is also associated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, PA Fish and Boat Commission, and PA Game Commission.
PNHP is a member of the Associate for Biodiversity Information, an international network of similar efforts providing conservation data in the New World. Today, PNHP is recognized by far as the primary single source of information regarding the diversity and status of Pennsylvania's living resources. Biodiversity information is collected and managed in a set of databases and associated geographic information system (GIS) files. This information originates from a wide variety of sources, including museum collections, university studies, the literature, and a vigorous effort by staff to conduct field studies that focus on plant and animal inventories, as well as describing the location and health endangered species.
One important function of the PNHP program is that it supplies information used to review the potential impact of development projects. Endangered plant, animal and habitat information managed by heritage staff is regularly uploaded to a centralized database in Harrisburg. Government regulatory agencies and land managers use this data daily to evaluate proposals to create mines, highways, dams, shopping malls and other developments. The information is also used to create land management plans that protect rare and endangered species, or unique habitats.
The work of the Natural Heritage Program is not an end in itself. The resulting biodiversity information is gathered, managed, and most importantly, provided for conservation uses. The Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program project includes a database that not only stores information, but is also consulted daily as part of decision-making within government agencies. WPC and other conservation groups use the same information to guide their conservation planning so that protection efforts are efficient and effective.
