CNDDB News Blog

The CNDDB is ready for a renovation. Much of 2022 was spent preparing for upgrades to our program. This will be a multi-year process. While our users may not see much change in 2023, be aware that we've been working hard behind-the-scenes to modernize and streamline our data processing. Things are under construction! In the meantime, here is a summary of what we have done in 2022, and our goals for 2023:

2022 By the Numbers

• 100,800 total occurrences in CNDDB
  • 500 new occurrences mapped
  • 500 occurrences updated
• 279,300 total source records in CNDDB
  • 6,900 sources added (3,500 records added through the Online Field Survey Form)
  • 2,900 sources processed
• 3,700 total spotted owl records
  • 700 CSO and 3,000 NSO records added
  • 1,300 spotted owl sites updated
  • 317 activity centers updated
  • 27 activity centers added
• 1,800 barred owl records added to the Barred Owl Observations Database
• 263 element state rankings have been updated
• Continued expanding our CNDDB iNaturalist Project (click to join us!)
  • 44,800 observations
  • 1,900 species
  • 3,800 members

2022 Accomplishments

• Created new training materials
  • New video that goes over common ways users may access CNDDB and spotted owl data using BIOS and RareFind
  • Updated user guides for the launch of BIOS 6
• CNDDB modernization (ongoing)
  • Plan for new ways CNDDB systems and processes can better serve all interested parties
  • Conducted user survey; results of the survey that you all provided input for directly influenced our assessment of the CNDDB system, tools, and products.
  • Continued the Project Approval Lifecycle (PAL) process for modernizing CNDDB
• Welcomed a new botanist to the program

Goals for 2023

• CNDDB modernization
  • CNDDB will be laser focused on finishing the PAL process for our modernization effort, quickly moving to the implementation phase of the project. For that reason, users may see moments of inactivity in our regular core duties in 2023.
  • Expand CNDDB staff resources to the extent possible
  • Continue CNDDB outreach through our blog or social media

While we are juggling all these goals in 2023, you may see a lull in our data processing. Fortunately, we currently have a way to share data to our subscribers prior to CNDDB processing. Data submitted through the Online Field Survey Form is shared with our users the next month. Therefore, if you detected CNDDB-tracked species while out in the field, please remember to submit your data through our online form. Obtaining quality data is a vital first step to protecting California’s rarest natural resources, and you can help make that happen. As always, you can contact us at any time with suggestions or questions by emailing CNDDB@wildlife.ca.gov. Wishing everyone a wonderful 2023!

A lot has happened the last two years. Most notably, a pandemic hit the world and we found ourselves quickly adapting to working from home. Our Spotted Owl Database Manager volunteered and assisted in contact tracing for a year. In addition, we had numerous staff changes. We said goodbye our contractors and our supervisor in early in 2021, and recently lost one of our long-time botanists (though we are happy she still works within CDFW). We welcomed a few new staff as well, including a scientific aid and our new supervisor. Though things were challenging and ever-changing, we kept progressing CNDDB the best we could. Here is a summary of what we have done in 2021, and our goals for 2022:

2021 By the Numbers

• 100,400 total occurrences in CNDDB
  • 1,200 new occurrences mapped
  • 1,600 occurrences updated
• 272,300 total source records in CNDDB
  • 7,200 sources added (3,400 records added through the Online Field Survey Form)
  • 5,200 sources processed
• 3,600 total spotted owl records
  • 1,600 CSO and 2000 NSO records added
  • 1,300 spotted owl sites updated
  • 343 activity centers updated
  • 28 activity centers added
• 900 barred owl records added to the Barred Owl Observations Database
• 87 element state rankings have been updated
• Continued expanding our CNDDB iNaturalist Project (click to join us!)
  • 35,900 observations
  • 1,800 species
  • 2,900 people

Accomplishments since our 2019 yearly review

• Reached 100,000 Element Occurrences in the database
• Launched the CNDDB FAQ page
• Launched a CNDDB overview video on our training page

Goals for 2022

• Expand CNDDB staff resources to the extent possible
• Develop and broaden CNDDB outreach
• Update CNDDB training materials
  • Update RareFind training video
  • Develop a virtual CNDDB training course
• Continue planning for new ways CNDDB systems and processes can better serve all interested parties, such as the use of an observation data system.

And, of course, we will continue producing high-quality data for environmental planners and researchers to use in protecting California’s rarest natural resources. We can’t do it without your help, though, so please remember to submit your data. Visit our data submission page, which includes a link to our Online Field Survey Form, the preferred method for data submission. As always, you can contact us at any time with suggestions or questions by emailing CNDDB@wildlife.ca.gov. Wishing everyone a wonderful 2022!

Happy New Year, folks! 2019 whizzed by, but we stayed busy throughout. Here are some of our proud achievements from 2019, as well as what we’re striving toward in 2020.

2019 By the Numbers:

• 97,000 total occurrences in CNDDB
  • 2,900 new occurrences mapped
  • 2,100 occurrences updated
• 240,000 total source records in CNDDB
  • 12,700 sources added (7,800 records added through the Online Field Survey Form)
  • 9,300 sources processed
• 182,000 total spotted owl records
  • 9,000 spotted owl records (5,000+ CSO and 4,000+ NSO) added
  • 1,200 spotted owl sites updated
  • 200 activity centers updated
• 1,300 barred owl records added to the Barred Owl Observations Database
• S-ranks for 2,400+ CNDDB-tracked non-vascular plants, bryophytes, and lichens have now been updated within the past 5 years
• Provided 8 training classes for 96 students across the state
• Continued expanding our CNDDB iNaturalist Project (Join us!)
  • 12,800 observations
  • 1,600 species
  • 1,500 people

Other Accomplishments:

• Released the Spotted Owl Observations Management Framework (PDF)
• Modified the QuickView Tool to incorporate spotted owl data
• Posted updated peregrine falcon, bald eagle, and golden eagle datasets to BIOS, in conjunction with the Wildlife Branch; the datasets are now available to Government CNDDB Subscribers
• Launched a new user management system
  • Allows subscriber organizations to have control over their own accounts
  • Provides CNDDB an avenue to engage directly with our users
• Collaborated with Calflora to update their Observer Pro plant observation app to include a new rare species observation form where you can fill out the detailed fields that CNDDB needs to make high quality occurrences
• Reviewed habitat models for 600 at-risk plant species for inclusion in NatureServe’s Map of Biodiversity Importance project
• Celebrated CNDDB’s 40th birthday
• Developed an internal Strategic Action Planning Framework to work on improvements to our program, processes, and products. Focus areas include:
  • Data processing/methodology
    • Developed and transitioned into a paperless workflow
    • Exploring options for developing an observation-based data management system
  • Technology/tools
    • Made available a CNDDB data template with field names and definitions
  • External communication/coordination
    • Maintained a steady output of blog posts (68 posts for 2019)
      • Let us know: which posts were your favorite?
      • What kinds of posts would you like to see in the future?
    • Presented posters at the AFS & TWS Joint Conference in Reno, Nevada
      • Databases of the California Natural Diversity Database Program
      • The California Natural Diversity Database and iNaturalist
    • Gave a talk for CDFW’s Conservation Lecture Series
      • CNDDB Looks at 40: The Past, Present, and Future of the California Natural Diversity Database Program
  • Internal development
    • Staff training and continued education (lunch & learn)

Goals for 2020:

• Continue and expand CNDDB News blog as an outreach tool
• Utilize new user management system to improve outreach and provide additional feedback opportunities
• Update our documentation and training materials
• Continue planning and development of an observations data management system
• Identify and evaluate mobile data submission options
• Focus on updating S-ranks for CNDDB-tracked animals

And, of course, we will continue producing high-quality data for environmental planners and researchers to use in protecting California’s rarest natural resources. We can’t do it without your help, though, so please remember to submit your 2019 data. As always, you can contact us at any time with suggestions. Wishing everyone a wonderful 2020!