The Department of Parks is the steward of more than 18,000 acres of land and as such is the largest single manager of natural resources in the county. Surveying and monitoring those resources is a major task of the Conservation Division. The division systematically catalogues the species found in the parks, checking historical records, and networking with other agencies to develop a biodiversity inventory. 

After years of review, a list of rare and significant species has been developed in an effort to conserve the ecosystems on which these species depend. In addition, certain tracts of county parkland have been identified as critical habitats or biodiversity reserves for the preservation of those species.

The species include:

  • amphibians, reptiles and mammals
  • birds
  • butterflies
  • dragonflies
  • plants

You can review these lists inidividually, by selecting the links to the left, or download a complete list.