NatureMapping Incidental Observations
Directions for unregistered NatureMappers

NatureMapping observations can be made anyplace, anytime. To record your observations as an unregistered NatureMapper, you simply need to log in as and “unregistered user” and simply follow the directions on each screen. Wildlife observation data sheets in Adobe Acrobat format are available for recording sighting while in the field before transferring them to the online database. To learn more about the formal process of collecting wildlife observation data for Wisconsin NatureMapping or to become a registered user, attend a training session.
If you have an observation to report, select the tab above “Submit Your Data”, login as an “Unregistered NatureMapper” and start NatureMapping.

NatureMapping Site Monitoring
To become a NatureMapping Site Monitor you should first attend one of our training sessions. Registered users of the Wisconsin NatureMapping system can input site monitoring data.

Monitoring is a process in which data are collected consistently from the same location over time. Data can be collected hourly, daily, weekly, etc. The type of monitoring and the amount of time spent depends on the information that a person is trying to obtain. Because we know very little about the movement of wildlife from month-to-month within our state, monthly reporting is important for a statewide analysis.
Monitoring can be approached at different levels:

• Beginning - Go to an area and record the wildlife that you observe. You can do this daily, weekly, or monthly. More than one site may be established. Spend a minimum of 3 minutes at each site.
• Intermediate -Select stations within each site and average the number of individuals observed. Try to identify the habitat for each site in a coarse scale (greater than the size of a football field). For example, an entire neighborhood. Try to sample the sites more than once per year.
• Advanced - Use field notebooks on each field trip. Record habitats at a fine (football field size or smaller) and coarse scale (greater than the size of a football field). Visit a site on a regular basis (once a week for a month, or once a month for 2 or more months, or once a year on the same month for 2 or more consecutive years).

When entering data for monitoring sites choose a name for your site and type the name, in exactly the same way (spelling etc..) in the "survey site name" field on the registered NatureMapping data submission page. Use this site name every time you input your monitoring data to insure the site is credited with the observations.

Questions? Contact info@wisnatmap.org or call 715-877-2212.

This page last updated: 01-17-08
Webmaster: Sarah Braun