Wyoming Natural Diversity Database Debuts New Online Tool at UW

Beginning today (Monday), the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database (WYNDD) at the University of Wyoming will replace two of its most popular online data access tools with a new online tool. The WYNDD Data Explorer will combine and streamline the functionality of the two former tools.

“This new web application allows users to view and download spatial data related to Wyoming species and habitats of management concern,” says Mark Andersen, WYNDD Information Systems and Services coordinator. “Users also can perform custom queries to determine which species may be present in their area of interest, exploring the resulting lists online or exporting for use offline.”

Andersen, the leader of the team that designed and built the new tool, adds that WYNDD strives to be the premier source of actionable information on the animals, plants and important habitats of Wyoming.

“The Data Explorer will significantly advance that mission by making more information instantly available to those who need it,” he says.

The Data Explorer integrates all of the functionality of the Wyoming Species List and the previous version of the Data Explorer with new options and information, all in a single, intuitive web application. Biologists and resource managers from groups such as the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and private environmental consulting companies helped WYNDD test and refine the new application early this year, with the initial launch for the key partners in March.

Since then, the initial group of users has accessed species data layers and custom species lists nearly 800 times.

“We expect the number of data requests and other interactions via the Data Explorer to increase substantially with broader availability to the new application,” Andersen says. “Serving the information needs of natural resource managers, developers and conservationists is our core function at UW. We are excited to be able to share a larger and richer set of information more effectively with a broader set of stakeholders.”

The WYNDD Data Explorer can be accessed at https://wyndd.org/portal/apps/data_explorer/map.

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