Significant Natural Areas in California

Part of the California Department of Fish and Game's Natural Heritage Division.
Legislatively established in 1981, Fish and Game Code Sections 1930-1933 was
mandated to
- Develop and maintain a data management system for natural resources;
- Identify the most "significant natural areas" in California;
- Ensure the recognition of these areas;
- Seek the long-term perpetuation of these areas;
- Provide coordinating services for other public agencies and private
organizations interested in protecting natural areas.

What is a Significant Natural Area?
Significant Natural Areas are identified using biological criteria only.
They may occur on public or private land and may be under different levels of
protection.
- Areas supporting extremely rare species or natural communities;
- Areas supporting associations or concentrations of rare species or
communities;
- Areas exhibiting representative examples of common or rare communities;
- Areas of high species-richness or habitat-richness.

Where do the data come from?
The Significant Natural Areas Program analyses data from the Department's
Natural Diversity Data Base. The Natural Diversity Data Base is a statewide
Geographic Information System (GIS) that contains over 22,000 locational
records of over 1200 sensitive natural communities and species. The Natural
Diversity Data Base receives biological data from field biologists in public
agencies, universities, private consulting firms, private utility companies and
other organizations.

What types of products are available?
Text reports describe the site name, approximate acreage and ownership, and
a list of important species and natural communities present on the site;
- County locational maps (8 by 11 inches) show all Significant Natural Areas
in
each county;
- Specialized plots from the Geographic Information System may be requested on
a
limited basis;
- Arc/Info export files.

How is this information used?
Bioregional conservation planning (HCPs, NCCPs, regional open space plans)
- Environmental review, recommended sites for mitigation banking
- Designation of special-status areas on public lands
- Land acquisition planning for nature reserves