Department of Environment & Conservation
Robert Martineau, Commissioner

Division of Natural Areas

Data and Forms Available

NEW! – Interactive Rare Species Database for Environmental Review.

Search and download data by County, Quadrangle, or Watershed.

Rare and Endangered Species

Explanation of Rank and Status Codes

Rare and Endangered Animal List of Tennessee

Tennessee Rare Plant List

Tennessee Rare Species Survey Form
Printable (PDF) or Electronic Word (DOC)

Reports

Ecological Systems of Tennessee

Current Status of the Natural Communities and Rare Plants Species of Milan Army Ammuntion Plant 2007

Ecological Assessment of Franklin State Forest 2007

A status survey of the Caney Fork Crayfish Cambarus pristinus) and Hardin County Crayfish Orconectes wrighti) with notes on the Brawleys Fork Crayfish Cambarus williami) (abstract) 2006

Distributional Surveys for Cambarus pristinus and Cambarus williami, two Endangered Crayfish in Tennessee (2005) (abstract)

Distributional Surveys for the Nashville Crayfish, Orconectes shoupi, an Endangered Crayfish in Tennessee 2005 (abstract)

Ecological Assessment of Standing Stone State Forest 2004

Distributional Surveys for Anguispira picta, Painted Snake Coiled Forest Snail (2003) (abstract)

Ecological Assessment of Cedars of Lebanon State Forest 2003

A Resurvey for the Royal Snail Marstonia ogmorhaphe) 2003 (abstract)

Mushroom Species Lists From Select Tennessee State Parks and Natural Areas

Permits

Scientific Collecting Permits

Rare Plant Dealer Application

Data Coverage

The Natural Heritage Program currently tracks over 1100 rare and endangered plant and animal species as well as hundreds of conservation sites across the state. This information is collected through ongoing research and field investigations by the Division and other scientists from across the State, as well as from scientific literature, museum collections, and other sources and is continually analyzed and updated. Natural Heritage data is not only important in identifying areas of ecological significance for conservation and restoration activities, but is also a valuable tool in the environmental review process.

Data Requests and Environmental Review

The Division of Natural Areas maintains the state's most comprehensive and up to date repository of data regarding the status and distribution of state and federal concern plant and animal species, ecologically important sites, and conservation managed lands. These data can be used in the planning process or as a general screening tool for identifying potential impacts to natural heritage resources, however they cannot be substituted for on-site biological surveys. At this time, the DNA offers the following information services:

County, Quadrangle, and Watershed Listings…………..no charge
The majority of lands in Tennessee have had no rare species surveys, and the lack of point-specific data can be misleading. Therefore, the DNA suggests reviewing and downloading generalized data through an interactive, searchable database in order to determine what rare species may reside within your project area.

Site Specific Coverage/Project Review ……….$100/project; add $30 for each additional USGS Quadrangle Covered

For environmental review planning, the DNA encourages using the generalized data link above. However, if you still wish site-specific data of known state and federal concern plant and animal species, ecologically significant sites, and certain conservation managed lands, we can perform such reviews for $100 per project. DNA staff will prepare and send to the requesting entity a list and/or map of rare species documented within a one-mile radius of the project area, as well as a list of species documented from the surrounding area.

Larger projects and linear projects that cover an area greater than a 4-mile radius shall be charged $30 for each additional USGS 1:24,000 quadrangle included in the project area. Please complete the Project Review From and submit, along with a site map, to the Natural Heritage Data Manager. Data requests are usually filled within 10 working days and e-mailed or mailed to the receiving entity after payment is received.

Please contact the Natural Heritage Data Manager at (615) 532-4799 for more information.

Project Review Form for Email - Microsoft Word Version
Project Review Form for U.S. Mail - Adobe PDF Version

Please contact the Natural Heritage Data Manager at (615) 532-4799 for more information.