IGF::CT::IGF HERITAGE DATA - OF DIGITAL DATA ON THE LOCATIONS OF SPECIES AND HABITATS FROM THE WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (WDNR). THE NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM MANAGES SITE-SPECIFIC AND SPECIES/ECOSYSTEM-SPECIFIC INFORMATION ON PRIORITY SPECIES AND ECOSYSTEMS; THOSE THAT ARE RARE OR HAVE VERY LIMITED DISTRIBUTION. SPECIFICALLY, THE PROGRAM'S MANDATE IS TO: IDENTIFY WHICH SPECIES AND ECOSYSTEMS ARE PRIORITIES FOR CONSERVATION EFFORT, BUILD AND MAINTAIN A DATABASE FOR PRIORITY SPECIES AND ECOSYSTEMS, AND SHARE THE INFORMATION WITH OTHERS SO THAT IT CAN BE USED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS AND CONSERVATION PLANNING PURPOSES. THE DATA IS USED BY A NUMBER OF AGENCIES INCLUDING FWS, ORGANIZATIONS, COMPANIES, AND INDIVIDUALS FOR CONSERVATION PLANNING, ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCESSES, AND OTHER INFORMATION REQUESTS. FWS RELIES ON WDNR DATA AS THE MOST CURRENT AND SCIENTIFICALLY ACCURATE DATA NEEDED BY FWS TO IMPLEMENT THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT AS WELL AS A NUMBER OF OTHER PROGRAMS. THE WDNR DATA ALLOWS THE FWS TO ANSWER FOUR CENTRAL QUESTIONS: WHICH SPECIES AND HABITAT TYPES ARE PRIORITIES FOR MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION? WHERE ARE THESE HABITATS AND SPECIES LOCATED? WHAT SHOULD BE DONE TO PROTECT THESE RESOURCES WHEN LAND USE DECISIONS ARE MADE? HOW EFFECTIVE ARE CURRENT EFFORTS IN CONSERVING THESE RESOURCES?