NatureServe is a leading non-profit organization that provides authoritative biodiversity data, analytics, and decision-support tools to guide conservation efforts across the Americas. With over 50 years of experience and a network of more than 60 programs in the U.S., Canada, and Latin America, NatureServe plays a vital role in tracking species, ecosystems, and natural heritage for land-use planning, environmental assessments, and public policy.
NatureServe’s centralized data and mapping tools help governments, NGOs, and researchers make science-based decisions that support biodiversity conservation, endangered species protection, and sustainable development. From threat assessments to habitat modeling, NatureServe’s platform ensures environmental decisions are grounded in credible, current data.
Features
NatureServe offers a wide range of data-driven tools and services tailored to environmental professionals, land planners, conservationists, and researchers.
One of the key features is the NatureServe Explorer, an open-access database providing detailed information on over 100,000 species and ecosystems. It includes conservation status ranks, distribution maps, habitat requirements, and taxonomy.
The Map of Biodiversity Importance (MoBI) provides predictive models identifying critical habitat for at-risk species across the United States, helping agencies prioritize conservation actions.
NatureServe’s Environmental Review Tools help streamline regulatory processes by identifying sensitive species and habitats in proposed development areas. These tools support compliance with environmental laws and reduce project delays.
The Biotics 5 platform is NatureServe’s enterprise biodiversity data management system, allowing partners to manage, store, and analyze local species and habitat data within a consistent framework.
NatureServe also provides conservation status assessments, using standardized methodologies to determine extinction risk and inform IUCN Red List evaluations.
Custom GIS-based solutions and spatial modeling services are offered to organizations needing tailored data for land management, policy development, or climate resilience planning.
How It Works
NatureServe operates through a collaborative network of member programs known as the NatureServe Network, which collects and maintains biodiversity data at regional, state, and national levels.
This data is aggregated and standardized into centralized databases using the Biotics 5 platform, which supports ongoing updates and quality assurance.
Scientists and conservation biologists assess species and ecosystems using a global ranking methodology that evaluates rarity, population trends, threats, and distribution.
The information is then made available through NatureServe Explorer and integrated into decision-support tools such as MoBI, environmental review applications, and custom spatial models.
Agencies, developers, and conservation organizations use these tools to assess potential impacts, design mitigation strategies, and prioritize conservation investments.
NatureServe also partners with government agencies and NGOs to develop specialized tools and deliver technical guidance for biodiversity planning.
Use Cases
NatureServe is widely used across sectors that require accurate, up-to-date biodiversity data for environmental decision-making.
Government agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Canadian Wildlife Service use NatureServe data to inform endangered species listings, critical habitat designations, and permitting decisions.
Environmental consultants and land-use planners rely on NatureServe tools for assessing biodiversity risks in infrastructure, energy, and urban development projects.
Conservation organizations and land trusts use the data to prioritize land acquisitions, habitat restoration, and climate adaptation efforts.
Academic researchers access NatureServe Explorer for data on species distribution, habitat use, and conservation status to support scientific publications.
Policymakers and NGOs use MoBI and Biotics data to advocate for biodiversity protection and to develop regional and national biodiversity strategies.
Indigenous communities and local governments use NatureServe assessments for stewardship and sustainable land-use planning.
Pricing
NatureServe offers a mix of free and paid services.
NatureServe Explorer is freely accessible to the public and offers species and ecosystem data for education and research.
Custom data services, GIS tools, spatial modeling, and technical consulting are available through contractual arrangements and are priced based on project scope and data complexity.
Biotics 5 is available to members of the NatureServe Network and partners, with pricing and licensing based on organizational agreements.
Organizations interested in advanced services or enterprise solutions can contact NatureServe directly for a custom quote and consultation.
Strengths
NatureServe’s greatest strength lies in its scientific credibility and data quality. The organization uses rigorous, peer-reviewed methodologies and maintains one of the most comprehensive biodiversity databases in North America.
Its partnership network structure ensures that data is locally sourced and nationally standardized, supporting both local decisions and large-scale conservation planning.
The integration of spatial data, predictive modeling, and conservation status assessments allows for holistic and evidence-based decision-making.
NatureServe’s tools are policy-aligned, supporting environmental reviews, impact assessments, and endangered species regulation compliance.
It is also known for its longstanding collaboration with federal and state agencies, making it a trusted resource for biodiversity intelligence.
Drawbacks
One limitation is that not all datasets are fully open-access. Some data products require licensing or payment, which may limit use by smaller organizations or independent researchers.
Data coverage may vary by region, with some geographic areas having more detailed or up-to-date data than others, depending on partner contributions.
Technical tools like Biotics 5 or custom modeling services require training and may not be as accessible to non-technical users without support.
Because NatureServe is non-commercial, project timelines and resource availability may be affected by funding cycles or grant constraints.
Comparison with Other Tools
Compared to global platforms like the IUCN Red List or GBIF, NatureServe provides more regionally detailed and U.S./Canada-specific biodiversity data, including predictive habitat models and spatial decision tools.
While IUCN focuses on global extinction risk, NatureServe provides more granular conservation status rankings and integrates with U.S. regulatory frameworks.
Unlike tools like eBird or iNaturalist, which are citizen-science based, NatureServe’s data comes from professional scientists and trained biologists, offering higher validation and quality control.
Compared to commercial environmental databases, NatureServe offers non-profit credibility, scientific transparency, and open collaboration, although it may lack the scale of enterprise-level integrations seen in commercial GIS suites.
Customer Reviews and Testimonials
NatureServe is widely respected among conservation professionals, agencies, and academic researchers.
Testimonials on the website and in partner publications praise the organization for its data accuracy, scientific integrity, and collaborative support.
Users commend NatureServe for its responsive technical assistance, especially in custom GIS and modeling projects.
Federal agencies have credited NatureServe with enabling more efficient environmental reviews and permitting by providing actionable biodiversity data.
Multiple scientific papers cite NatureServe datasets as foundational for habitat modeling, species distribution mapping, and policy development.
Conclusion
NatureServe is an essential resource for data-driven biodiversity conservation. Its combination of authoritative data, predictive models, and user-focused tools makes it a critical ally for environmental professionals navigating complex decisions around land use, habitat protection, and species conservation.
By maintaining one of the most respected biodiversity data networks in the Americas, NatureServe empowers science-based conservation strategies that protect nature while supporting responsible development.
