CNDDB News Blog

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  • January 27, 2020

Screenshot of new CNDDB Subscription User Management web app.CNDDB and CDFW are implementing a new system for managing subscriber access to CNDDB-related data and tools, including RareFind 5, the CNDDB and Spotted Owl Data Viewer, CNDDB-related datasets in BIOS, and downloadable GIS files for both the CNDDB and Spotted Owl Observations Database. We will no longer be distributing the monthly cnddb_gov and cnddb_com login and password information to our subscribers. Instead, starting February 4, 2020, any user wishing to access CNDDB data and tools will be required to register for an individual CDFW account and be listed as an authorized user under a current CNDDB subscription.

We have developed a link opens in new windowcustom web application to allow subscription account-holders to independently maintain their authorized user lists. The process is straightforward: subscription administrators create a list of authorized users for their organization, and those users create individual login accounts. Once an individual account has been verified as an authorized user, that individual will be able to log in using their personal credentials as long as the subscription remains active.

This new system has many benefits for subscribers and CNDDB alike:

  • Provides a mechanism for subscribers to easily control who has access through their subscription
  • Allows subscribers to add, edit, or remove authorized users at any time
  • No monthly password updates to keep track of
  • Addresses IT security concerns associated with multiple users accessing secure data via the same login account
  • Facilitates a better understanding of our CNDDB subscription client base
  • Improves customer service by enabling CNDDB staff to communicate more effectively and directly with our users

More information can be found in the link opens in new windowSubscription User Management Instructions and FAQs (PDF), and please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions.

Categories: General
  • July 18, 2019

Tony McKinney is the Branch Chief for the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Information Technology divisions at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office (CFWO). His GIS Team, which includes Emilie Luciani and Ed Turner, maintains a link opens in new windowcontinually-updated geospatial database of federally threatened and endangered species occurrences within the Carlsbad office’s area of responsibility – which encompasses 12.9 million acres, 28 Congressional districts, and 29 federally recognized tribes across southern California.

Rapid development occurring in southern California in the mid-1990s spurred federal, state, and local stakeholders to initiate planning programs to help conserve threatened and endangered species. These planning tools included federal Habitat Conservation Plans (HCP), and the state’s Natural Communities Conservation Program (NCCP). As the HCP/NCCP processes began, CFWO staff realized that tracking biogeographical observations of at-risk species would be essential to the planning process.

To keep up with the ESA Section 10A(1)a survey reports that poured in, the CFWO initiated an in-house mapping program modeled after CNDDB, except observations are kept as individual records rather than combined into spatio-temporal summaries. The CFWO species observations database currently contains over 26,000 records, and is regularly shared with CNDDB, as well as numerous consultants, agencies, and other stakeholders. The CFWO database is used in conjunction with CNDDB to inform the HCP/NCCP planning process, which is on track to conserve areas of important biological diversity across 12,500 square miles in southern California over the next 50 to 75 years. Together, the federal and state databases are also used to help determine if native species warrant federal Endangered Species Act protection, and to delineate critical habitat for listed species.

The GIS Team at the CFWO has nearly 100 years cumulative GIS experience, with nearly 75 of those years at the Carlsbad Office. They come from diverse backgrounds, and have worked on numerous conservation projects, including greater sage grouse listing, the San Diego Multiple Species Conservation Program, San Bernardino kangaroo rat critical habitat, Laysan albatross on Midway Atoll assessment, coastal California gnatcatcher critical habitat, and the Western Riverside Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan. CNDDB is indebted to Tony and his team for their continuing contributions to CNDDB. We look forward to growing interagency partnerships for the advancement of conservation throughout the state!

Categories: Contributor Spotlight
  • March 5, 2019

As we hit the ground running for 2019, it’s nice to reflect back on the past year to see how far we’ve come. We’d like to share with all of you some of our proud accomplishments of 2018, as well as what we will strive to work towards in the coming year.

2018 updates by county

2018 accomplishments

  • 3,900 new occurrences mapped
  • 3,200 occurrences updated
  • 94,000 occurrences in CNDDB (Will we reach 100,000 in 2020?)
  • 230,000 total source records
    • 16,000 sources added (5,000 records added through the Online Field Survey Form)
    • 12,500 sources processed
    • From January 2018 through January 2019, botany reduced their data backlog by 20%

Spotted Owl Observations Database:

  • 12,000 spotted owl records (7,000+ CSO and 5,000+ NSO) added
  • 1,500 spotted owl sites updated
  • 400 activity centers updated
  • 175,000 total spotted owl records
  • 1,000 barred owl records added to the Barred Owl Observations Database

Other:

  • Provided 10 training classes for 114 students across the state
  • Reinvigorated our CNDDB iNaturalist Project (link opens in new windowJoin us!)
  • Continued work on the peregrine falcon, bald eagle, and golden eagle datasets in conjunction with the Wildlife Branch

Our goals for the future

  • Improve communication with our users, starting with regularly updating this blog to keep people informed
  • Identifying ways to improve our efficiency and distribution of data to users
  • Exploring ways to better utilize data from citizen science sites such as iNaturalist, Calflora, and eBird

We will continue to build a high-quality database for environmental planners and researchers to use for the purpose of protecting California’s rarest natural resources. That said, we can't do it without your help! Now is the perfect time to link opens in new windowsubmit your 2018 data. And as always, do not hesitate to contact us if you have any suggestions. Wishing everyone a wonderful 2019.

Categories: Yearly review