Request Data
The Alabama Natural Heritage Program maintains a comprehensive database of rare plant and animal species and selected natural communities in Alabama. Data are available to support conservation, environmental review, research, land management and planning efforts across the state.
ALNHP provides information to agencies, researchers, consultants, conservation organizations, land managers and other partners working to preserve habitat for rare communities, plants and animals. County-level lists are also available through the rare species lists by county page.
Available Data & Information Products
ALNHP provides several types of data and information products depending on the needs of the request.
Site-Specific Species List
A site-specific species list includes available information for rare species and natural community occurrences within the area searched. These lists typically include scientific name, common name, Heritage rank, federal status, state status, last observed date, county, quadrangle and comments about the occurrence.
Site-specific species lists are typically delivered as Excel spreadsheets.
Site-Specific GIS Data
ALNHP can provide a color map and/or GIS data for rare species occurrences within a project area. GIS data may be provided as a shapefile or file geodatabase feature class.
Custom maps and written summaries may also be available upon request.
Environmental Review Letter
An environmental review letter provides a written summary of available data, with particular attention to species of concern and survey or management recommendations.
When applicable, ALNHP can also provide a letter stating that there are no records in the area of interest or no concerns based on available data.
Species-Specific Data
Species-specific requests are handled on a case-by-case basis. Responses are designed to fit the needs of the researcher or project sponsor.
Make a Data or Information Request
To request data or information from ALNHP, complete the data request survey. After the survey is submitted, the ALNHP Database Manager will follow up to complete the request.
To help ALNHP process your request, please be prepared to provide the following information when available:
- Name, organization and contact information
- Project name or brief project description
- Purpose of the request
- Geographic area of interest
- Map, shapefile, coordinates or parcel information
- Type of data or information requested
- Project timeline or deadline
- Intended use of the information
For project-based requests, maps or GIS files are especially helpful.
Data requests are processed in the order they are received. Response time depends on the backlog and workload at the time the request is submitted.
Requests are generally processed within five working days but may take longer.
ALNHP is funded through contracts and grants to perform specific environmental research and analysis services. While some contracts include funding to provide limited services to the public, ALNHP is unable to meet the full demand for data services through contracts and grants alone.
To cover the cost of providing data and information products, ALNHP charges fees for certain products and services.
If requested, a cost estimate will be provided to the project sponsor before a data request is completed. ALNHP reserves the right to waive fees for academic researchers or agencies partnering with ALNHP.
If no data are available for a request, no fee will be assessed.
| Request Type | Fee | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Requests by Species | $100 base fee | Includes one species. Additional species are $50 per species. |
| Requests by Geographic Area of Interest | $100 base fee | Includes areas of 50 square miles or less. Areas larger than 50 square miles are charged an additional $1 per square mile. |
| Special Information Products | $75 per hour | Applies to custom maps, GIS data, spatial analysis, data summaries or other special information products. An estimate may be provided upon request. |
If no data are available for a request, no fee will be assessed. The maximum charge for all data in the State of Alabama is $8,000. ALNHP reserves the right to waive fees for academic researchers or agencies partnering with ALNHP.
For special requests, the GIS Analyst can provide an estimate of the number of hours needed to complete the request. Actual time spent and charged may differ slightly.
Applicability of the fee schedule is determined by the ALNHP GIS Analyst.
An invoice will be sent upon completion of the data request. Please follow the payment instructions on the invoice to remit payment.
Rare Species Lists by County
County-level rare species lists are available for download.
Environmental Review
ALNHP provides written review letters for projects that require information about rare species, natural communities and conservation concerns.
Data and Services
Learn more about ALNHP data products, mapping support, environmental review and conservation planning services.
