A County Natural Area Inventory is a systematic search for Significant Natural Heritage Areas (SNHAs) throughout a North Carolina county.  SNHAs, or “sites”, are areas of land or water identified by our biologists as being important for the conservation of our state's biodiversity.  These areas often contain the best examples of natural communities and often include rare and endangered species.

Why are inventories of natural areas needed?
Natural areas are important resources that make North Carolina an attractive place to live in and to visit, providing both recreational and scenic enjoyment.  Additionally, they are critical reservoirs of biological diversity and provide habitat for thousands of species. Identifying these resources is the first step towards protecting them.

Who uses a natural areas inventory?
Inventories benefit a wide range of users, from individual landowners to large government agencies.  For example, landowners of natural areas can obtain guidance on best management practices.  County governments and municipalities can use inventories to help plan for growth in balance with the natural environment.  State agencies and land trusts use Natural Heritage data to make informed decisions about land and water conservation.  Finally, discoveries of new plant and animal populations benefit researchers who study these unique organisms.

How does the inventory affect landowners?
Inventory biologists always request permission to conduct surveys before visiting private property.  We help willing landowners learn more about the biological resources on their property and can guide them towards protection and management resources, if desired. The Natural Heritage Program is not a regulatory program and our sites carry no protection status of their own.  Therefore, we work closely with public and private landowners to help ensure that our state’s natural resources are conserved for the future.

Where and when have county natural areas inventories been done?
The Natural Heritage Program has conducted natural area inventories for numerous North Carolina counties over the past 25 years (see map below).  Surveys are ongoing across the state.  Funding for our inventories comes from the North Carolina Natural Heritage Trust Fund, county and municipal governments, federal agencies, land trusts, and private citizens.

Click here for printable version of map
Please click on a county name below for an executive summary of the inventory.
Unless otherwise noted, sites are privately owned. Please do not trespass.