page title: HBMP Background

HistoryLobelia gloria montis

In 1970, Robert Jenkins joined The Nature Conservancy to lead the organization in the creation of a biological inventory - a system of statewide inventories that collect, map, and store digital data on the exact location and condition of rare and endangered plants, animals and natural communities. Today, that network (commonly called the Natural Heritage Network) operates throughout much of the Western Hemisphere with 76 programs providing valuable biological information to thousands of people, businesses, organizations, and agencies. Every US state (including the Navajo Nation), Canadian province and many Middle and South American countries now have their own Natural Heritage Program or Conservation Data Center guided by a coordinating body called NatureServe, based in Virginia.

In 1985, The Nature Conservancy of Hawai‘i started the Hawai‘i Natural Heritage Program (HINHP), which over the years has established itself as a vital source of information on the health and location of Hawai‘i's rare biota and ecosystems. The Heritage database and GIS is the state's most comprehensive spatial database inventory of rare, endangered and threatened, plants, animals, and ecosystems. Heritage staff currently maintain detailed information on the status of more than 1000 native species and ecosystems in nearly 16,000 locations across the state. The HINHP is an active member of the Natural Heritage Network supplying NatureServe with data so that rare Hawaiian biota is represented in their international database.

In 1999, the HINHP became a part of the Center for Conservation Research and Training (CCRT), Pacific BioSciences Research Center (PBRC) at the University of Hawai‘i (UH). At UH we have diversified our program significantly, building on our abilities in information management, database development, and expertise in geospatial analysis. In 2005, HINHP formally changed its name to the "Hawai‘i Biodiversity and Mapping Program" to better reflect the diversification of services the program now provides.

ServicesArgyroxiphium caliginis (Silversword) -- M. Bruegmann

HBMP is well known as a source of geospatial information and is well positioned with staff and infrastructure to continue in the building, maintenance, and dissemination of environmental datasets to the public, private, and academic sectors.

HBMP staff continue to:

  • Enhance the HBMP databases and GIS;
  • Conduct biological surveys and assessments;
  • Perform spatial analysis and modeling;
  • Design stand alone GIS and database systems;
  • Offer technical support and expertise in spatial technologies;
  • Perform classification of remotely sensed imagery to derive land cover maps;
  • Offer workshops, seminars, and training;
  • And participate in the research endeavors of scientists, natural resource professionals, and students.

Fulfilling Our MissionCyanea humboldtiana -- J. Obata

Our mission is to gather, synthesize, and disseminate comprehensive information on the status and location of Hawai‘i's biological resources. As part of CCRT, our mission has expanded to include training and intern programs that strive to integrate scientific research and technology with applied natural resource management to enhance problem solving and decision-making.

One of our goals as a Heritage Program is to make biological and environmental data available and understandable to managers and planners so that it is included in the planning process. We realize that urban growth is going to occur, so it is better to get information into the hands of decision makers so this growth occurs wisely, in consideration of both quality of life and quality of the environment.

We believe that helping others to succeed in their endeavors ensures our success and the success of our mission. We build capacity through mutually beneficial collaboration and by fostering the understanding that we are stronger working together than we are working separately.

Vision

HBMP is committed to serving Hawai‘i and the Pacific Basin as: