The Minnesota Biological Survey (MBS) systematically collects, interprets, monitors and delivers data on plant and animal distribution as well as the ecology of native plant communities and functional landscapes. More about the survey
Rare Species Guide User Survey
The Rare Species Guide is a dynamic, interactive resource for information on Minnesota's endangered, threatened and special concern species. You can make the Rare Species Guide even better by taking this short survey.
What's new in MBS
Stepping up and stepping out
MN PlantWatch volunteers are helping save Minnesota’s rare plants, as described in this Minnesota Public Radio story.
Turtle crossing!
Join MBS Herpetologist Jeff LeClere in this TV interview as he explains where Minnesota’s turtles are headed.
Special specialists
Fully a third of MN's 508 bee species live on the edge by exploiting a narrow range of plant resources. Learn about these "specialists" in this Minnesota Conservation Volunteer article.
MN Bats...hanging-on!
MBS staff recently counted hibernating bats at a Southeast MN site. After years of dismal numbers...some signs of hope!
What's new(t)?
MBS Zoologist Jeff LeClere gives us the lowdown on an adaptable little salamander in this Minnesota Conservation Volunteer article.
MBS helps document over 500 bee species native to Minnesota!
Minnesota Public Radio looks at the painstaking work required to document Minnesota's diverse and numerous species of native bees.
MBS Strategic Plan
Perspectives and priorities for MBS, 2019-2029. MBS Strategic Plan
Minnesota Conservation Explorer
A dynamic new tool for submitting and delivering data on Minnesota's rare features!
Explore the Minnesota Conservation Explorer
Plant and Fungi Watch List: on the lookout!
Learning more about the distribution and abundance of these species may inform future protection decisions (02/01/2022).
"How are insects doing in Minnesota?"
MBS invertebrate ecologist Dr. Jessica Petersen waxes on the past and future of Minnesota's insects in this Minnesota Conservation Volunteer article. (07/21/2020).
Minnesota's first biological "census"
Wrapping up Minnesota's initial statewide biological diversity assessment is discussed in this Minnesota Public Radio feature (04/22/2020).
MBS: "The Big Reveal"
In this Minnesota Conservation Volunteer article, an MBS plant ecologist pulls back the curtain on this important project.
The EMN crew: on the road...and the radio!
The MBS Ecological Monitoring Network (EMN) is featured in this radio broadcast.
Marvelous moths...and more!
Searching for Minnesota's enigmatic moths will leave you out in the cold.
A Prairie Stream Fish Bonanza!
A display of some of the beautiful-and-overlooked fish species found in Minnesota’s prairie streams, creeks and ditches during the summer of 2018.
Surveying Minnesota’s Vulnerable Bats
Working through the night, the MBS Bat Crew keep tags on Minnesota’s bats.
MBS 30th Anniversary!
For 30 years, biologists with MBS have been combing the state, looking for remnants of native vegetation and rare plant and animal species. Check out the anniversary page for a look at our progress!
Lepidoptera Update
Last week, MBS Entomologist, Kyle Johnson, detailed a late season Lepidoptera update with plenty of vivid photographs!
Aquatic Survey Update
MBS is known for assessing prairies and forests, but did you know we also study 'hidden forests' in lakes and rivers. MBS Plant Survey Supervisor, Hannah Texler, provided an aquatic plant team update!
MBS updates map of remaining prairies!
At the time of European settlement (mid 1800s), Minnesota had 18 million acres of tallgrass prairie. Today only a little more than 1 percent (about 250,000 acres) of the original prairie remains.