 The NH Natural Heritage Bureau finds, tracks, and facilitates the protection of New Hampshire's rare plants and exemplary natural communities (types of forests, wetlands, grasslands, etc.). As a bureau within
the Division of Forests & Lands, we are fundamentally a service to New Hampshire landowners and land managers. We are not a regulatory agency; instead, we work with landowners and land managers to help them protect the State's natural heritage while meeting their land-use needs.
Our mission, as mandated by the Native Plant Protection Act of 1987 (RSA 217-A), is to determine protective measures and requirements necessary for the survival of native plant species in the state, to investigate the condition and degree of rarity of plant species, and to distribute information regarding the condition and protection of these species and their habitats. We also maintain information on rare wildlife in cooperation with the NH Fish & Game Department's Nongame & Endangered Wildlife Program, which has legal jurisdiction over New Hampshire wildlife.
The NH Natural Heritage Bureau is a public - private partnership between the State of NH and the New Hampshire Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. Visit our About Us page for more information about our organizational structure.
What's Rare in New Hampshire?
Rare Plants -- Rare and Tracked Wildlife -- Rare Plants, Wildlife, and Natural Communities by Town
What's New...
 Ecological Inventory of Cape Horn State Forest (2007) - Detailed ecological inventory and assessment of the significant biodiversity features at the 2,074-acre Cape Horn State Forest in Northumberland, NH. This report will be a key resource for land management decisions at the State Forest. 70 pages, color maps, figures, photos. (pdf 22,014 kb)
Ecological Inventory of Cardigan Mtn. State Forest (2007) - Detailed ecological inventory and assessment of the significant biodiversity features at the 5,500-acre Cardigan Mtn. State Forest in Alexandria and Orange, NH. This report will be a key resource for land management decisions at the State Forest. 37 pages, color maps, figures, photos. (pdf 11,203 kb)
Several site profiles and image pages have been updated in our Visiting NH's Biodiversity series.
"What's New" Archive
Popular Features
DataCheck Tool - now available online! This web site, developed jointly with the NH Department of Environmental Services and the NH Fish & Game Department, can be used to check for rare species to satisfy a permit or regulatory requirement.
Natural Communities of New Hampshire - Classification and detailed descriptions of natural communities in NH. Hardcopies are also available by mail for $20.00 each.
Natural Community Systems of New Hampshire - Companion book to Natural Communities of New Hampshire. Hardcopies are also available by mail for $15.00 each.
Visit New Hampshire's Biodiversity - Guides and profiles of sites with exemplary natural communities & systems.
Spring 2008 - Spring Wildflowers
"Seasonal" Archive (topics of seasonal interest)
Quick Links
Biodiversity in NH - Natural Communities - Rarity and Ranking - Rare Plants - Reports
About Us - Staff Directory
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