Data and project reviews
Making a data request
GIS datasets showing buffered species locations are available for download free of charge from the Kansas Natural Resource Planner web mapping application. The Terrestrial Species of Concern layer was last updated in December 2019.
For site-specific project reviews requiring detailed location information, contact Jennifer Delisle, Kansas Natural Heritage Inventory Information Manager, at jdelisle@ku.edu.
When making a request, please provide the following details:
- Your name, address, telephone number, email address and professional affiliation.
- The purpose for which the information is needed (e.g., environmental assessment, management plan).
- A brief description of the nature of the project (e.g., pipeline, city park, cellular tower).
- Exact project boundaries provided as a GIS layer, KMZ file, or map.
- Current land use of the project area (e.g., cropland, urban, pasture [native vs. tame]).
Fees are charged to cover the cost of providing data services. Charges are based on a rate of $60 per hour for staff time. If requested, a cost estimate will be provided to the project sponsor prior to beginning work on a major data request. The Heritage program reserves the right to waive the fee if it takes less than one hour to respond to a request. The Heritage program also reserves the right to waive or reduce the fee for agencies of the State of Kansas. Data requests are processed in the order in which they are received with an average turnaround time of one to two weeks. A Data Use Agreement, which will be provided after the data request is made, must be signed prior to data delivery.
The entire rare species database can be accessed through an annual subscription. A Data Use Agreement must be signed prior to distribution of the data. The annual fee for this subscription is $8,000.
Endangered species
The Kansas Natural Heritage Inventory routinely reviews proposed development projects for impacts to threatened and endangered species and other sensitive resources. However, we do not have regulatory authority for species listed under state or federal endangered species acts.
The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks administers regulations pertaining to state-listed species and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (in Manhattan, Kansas, 785-539-3474) has regulatory authority for federally listed species.
Contributing to the database
The databases maintained by the Heritage Program are dynamic resources. The quality and usefulness of the data are improved by the addition of new information obtained from field studies across the state.
Individuals with information on the species listed on our Element Tracking lists are invited to contribute to the databases by contacting us directly (jdelisle@ku.edu). This information will be used to improve our knowledge and protection of the state’s rare resources.