Description: The newly developed national connectivity dataset depicts a network of least cost path (LCP) connections between neighboring cores. Esri generated this comprehensive network of LCPs using the Cost Connectivity tool which was introduced in ArcGIS 10.4 and ArcGISPro in 1.3. Least cost paths reflect the route of least resistance between neighboring habitat core edges. The PathCost field represents the non-directional cumulative cost of this route. Cost is not accrued for movement within habitat cores, thus the portion of each path that falls within a core’s boundary should be considered schematic only. These paths can be used to create a network dataset for use in additional analysis. If a network dataset is created, it should be cost-based, rather than length-based due to the schematic and costless nature of traveling within a core. The PathCost, LowCoreValue, and HighCoreValue fields were used to generate a network graph. This graph was then used to compute Betweenness Centrality attribution for the HabitatCores feature class. While least cost paths are useful for illuminating the discrete path of least resistance from one location to another, they should not be interpreted as least cost corridors. Least cost corridors expand least cost paths to encompass functionally larger areas that may facilitate species movement.