The Survey’s work includes (but is not limited to):
- Determining the status of each wild species or subspecies of plant, animal or other organism known to occur in Pennsylvania, using uniform criteria, within a formal system of categories (endangered, threatened, etc.). For more information on this aspect of PABS's work, see the listing process.
- Providing advice and guidance to state and federal conservation and natural resource management agencies regarding the status and management of any or all species or subspecies of plants, animals and other organisms in Pennsylvania and the Commonwealth's ecological communities.
- Facilitating and enhancing communication among Pennsylvania’s natural resource scientists, educators, managers and decision makers.
- Fostering the preservation of Pennsylvania’s natural history collections.
- Fostering research that will increase and refine our knowledge of the biota of Pennsylvania, including the status and distribution of individual species or subspecies of plants, animals and other organisms as well as ecological communities.
- Communicating the results of PABS’s research and activities to appropriate audiences, including the scientific community, the general public, state and federal agencies and legislative bodies.
PABS operates within the framework of its constitution and bylaws and its members adhere to a code of conduct. More details on the Survey’s operations are given in the PABS Handbook.