Explore Data from the Conservation Data Centre

A centralized data source: Data or information is collected and assembled from provincial government data systems, other levels of government, museums, herbaria, universities, non-government organizations, published and unpublished reports, theses, scientists, natural history groups, and the ongoing work of CDC staff and contractors. Information is stored and managed in a data system common to all conservation data centres across Canada and the United States.

Reliable, objective information in a consistent format: Careful screening and verification by staff specialists ensures that all records meet rigorous quality standards for how they are collected and entered in the database.

Up-to-date information: B.C. Conservation Data Centre information is dynamic – it's updated regularly. For example, the CDC:

• Continually collects existing data and information about species or ecosystems of concern
• Updates mapped element occurrences and refines locations as soon as new information is available and has been processed
• Annually updates conservation status ranks on a priority basis
• Identifies data gaps in order to efficiently continue building the data inventory

Access the Data

Use these online tools to access data about species and ecosystems in B.C.:

• BC Species & Ecosystem Explorer
• CDC iMap
• BC Data Catalogue search for "cdc occurrences"

If these resources do not have the data you need, you can submit a custom data request.

• Find out how to request data

Conservation Status Ranks

Species and ecosystems are evaluated and assigned a conservation status rank. These ranks determine whether they are added to the provincial red, blue or yellow lists.

Learn about the definitions of status ranks and how they're determined:

• Provincial conservation status ranks
• Provincial red, blue and yellow lists

Mapping Locations

Any known location of a species or ecosystem is called an element occurrence – each occurrence is evaluated based on whether it's likely to persist if current conditions prevail. Based on this, each occurrence is assigned an Element Occurrence Rank.

Find out how element occurrences are mapped and ranked B.C.:

• Mapping methods

Use mapping tools to find element occurrences and potential locations:

• Mapped locations