Parks Canada (PC) is a federal agency responsible for protecting and presenting nationally significant examples of Canada’s natural and cultural heritage, and fostering public understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment in ways that ensure their ecological and commemorative integrity for present and future generations.
The NS Network is comprised of over 1000 conservation professionals across the U.S. and Canada who are dedicated to collecting and disseminating data on rare and imperiled plants and animals, and ecosystems of the Western Hemisphere.
Working in collaboration since 2003, PC, NatureServe Canada (NSC), NatureServe (NS) and the NS Network of provincial, territorial and state member programs (Conservation Data Centres -CDCs-) exchange biodiversity data and expertise on the status and location of at-risk species and ecosystems. Data sharing and license agreements (DSLA) between PC, NSC and NS enable this two-way flow of biodiversity information.
This collaboration with NatureServe also provides Parks Canada with digital solutions to access location specific species data across the country in support of agency activities. These include:
PC Biotics
Main biodiversity information management system for Parks Canada that is used to track tabular NatureServe Network species at risk status and recovery information as well as species lists for Parks Canada places.
PC Explorer Pro
Digital solution for general users to access location specific spatial data (i.e., licensed data) and the public data layer, and filter for areas of interest using built in spatial tools and provides biodiversity reports as outputs. This platform provides access to Conservation Data Centre data (CDC Data) and data collected and curated by NatureServe Canada from other sources including iNaturalist and GBIF (Non-CDC Data). The platform also provides access to other NatureServe Network data derived products including ecosystem data, EBAR range maps and species habitat models.
PC Geodatabase – Provides access to the same spatial data and derived products that are available in PC Explorer Pro but supports download of spatial data and more advanced query and analysis functionality.
Local Conservation Data Centres: It is also an option to contact local Conservation Data Centres (CDCs) for data requests and interpretation as necessary.
Public CDC Data and Non-CDC Data (some data buffered to protect sensitive species) is available to anyone at no cost in the public facing Explorer Pro platform providing an opportunity for PC personnel to work with the public data while completing the data security requirements to access the licensed (precise) data.
Requirements for accessing PC Biotics and PC Pro and Geodatabase:
For Parks Canada staff to access the licensed data through these tools, it is necessary to complete the following data security requirements:
- Watch the four NS online Data Use Training (DUT) videos then click the “Complete the Training” link at the bottom of the page.You will be redirected to another webpage with online form.
- Complete the online form and click “Submit”.
Ensure you “affiliate yourself” with Parks Canada from the drop-down list and provide your PC email address when you complete the online form. You will be redirected to another webpage with the PC-NSC-NS Data License Agreement.
To access PC Biotics (licensed tabular data), only steps 1 and 2 are required:
If you are only going to access PC Biotics: after completing steps 1 and 2, send an email to your PC Biotics lead (biotics@pc.gc.ca), to confirm you have completed all steps required to access PC Biotics. Ensure you send this from your PC email account that was used to complete the NatureServe Data Use Training.
To access PC Explorer Pro and Geodatabase (licensed spatial data):
In addition to first completing steps 1 and 2, you must also complete CDC and Non-CDC Data Security Requirements. Click HERE to access a NatureServe Canada webpage that provides instructions.