The Biological Survey is both a state agency and a research department of the University of Oklahoma. The Biological Survey includes the Oklahoma Natural Heritage Inventory, Oklahoma Natural Areas Registry, and the Robert Bebb Herbarium. Our faculty and staff are committed to providing the best available information on biodiversity in the state of Oklahoma. We do this through our surveys, inventories, and research on the state’s biodiversity. We also collect, curate, and share existing biodiversity data. We are committed to training students and the public in biodiversity science. To achieve our goals we work closely with other allied organizations throughout the state and region.
Biologists from OU and OSU are teaming up to find out more about the Arogos Skipper. This dainty orange butterfly loves the prairie, but we aren't sure how well it is doing in Oklahoma. These biologists need your help! You can become a biodiversity scientist by learning to identify the Arogos Skipper and reporting it through iNaturalist.
States, federal agencies, tribes, industry partners, and communities across the country are contributing through habitat restoration, rights-of-way initiatives, conservation programs, and public awareness campaigns. These coordinated efforts are expected to influence the future Endangered Species Act listing decision. Oklahoma’s statewide plan exists to align with these broad efforts and to guide coordinated actions within the state that will help sustain and recover the Monarch.
This friendly, color illustrated guide is perfect for citizen-scientists and curious wanderers as they set out to explore the state’s abundant natural diversity. Available Now!
Created by Zach DuFran, Oklahoma's moth expert, this poster captures 100 of the state's amazing moths!
Dr. Caryn Vaughn has developed a new and comprehensive website about all the mussels found in Oklahoma.
Featuring Oklahoma's seven venomous snakes, all of which are considered pitvipers, family Viperidae.
We are responisble for maintaining an inventory of the state's habitats and species. Our focus is on rare and endangered species, species of special concern, and significant ecological communities. Heritage biologists conduct field inventories of rare species and communities to gather current information about the state's biodiversity. We provide information for environmental planning, resource management, protection of significant natural areas, endangered species review, and biological research and education.
The Robert Bebb Herbarium (OKL) is maintained jointly by the Oklahoma Biological Survey and the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Oklahoma. The herbarium houses the largest collection of Oklahoma plants in the state. Specimens exceed 250,000 in number, with extensive collections of the families Poaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Cyperaceae.
A voluntary conservation program for private landowners who have rare species, natural habitats, or unique geologic features on their property.
You can stay up to date with our events and projects by signing up for our newsletter. The Biodiversity Bulletin is sent out seasonally.
