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Where to Report your observations

Table 3:  Where to report Elgin Natural Heritage Inventory species observations

Species Group

Where to Report

Species at Risk and Significant Species (all species types)
  •  Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC) – report rare species and rare plant communities through online reporting form.  Multiple observations can be submitted by downloading and completing a template spreadsheet.  Go to www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/NHIC/ (Get Involved).  
  • Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas – submit reports of rare amphibians and reptiles; reporting system well suited for frogs/toads identified during call counts.  If you have submitted records to the NHIC, do not duplicate here.  www.ontarionature.org/protect/species/herpetofaunal_atlas.php
  • Elgin Inventory Area Coordinator – If you do not have access to the internet, or require any assistance with reporting, you can call your local Area Coordinator.  Please contact ElginNHI@carolinian.org, leave a message at 519-433-7077, or get in touch with one of the local Nature Clubs (see page 7) to be connected to your closest Area Coordinator. 

Amphibians & Reptiles

Birds
  •  eBird allows users to submit reports of ALL bird species they observe, track their bird lists, generate maps and graphs and share sightings with the eBird community.  The information is shared globally with land managers, ornithologists, and conservation biologists.  www.ebird.org
  • Bird Studies Canada coordinates many specialized programs, from recording who is visiting your bird feeder (Project Feederwatch) to specialized programs for particular species.  See their entire list of programs here: www.bsc-eoc.org (Volunteer Programs)

Trees, Plants, Mosses & Fungi
  • Species lists for these groups should be compiled using the General Field Data Form (Appendix 7) and submitted to your local Area Coordinator or to Carolinian Canada

Insects
  • eButterfly – report and share your butterfly observations and photographs and contribute to science and conservation www.ebutterfly.ca
  • The Ontario Butterfly Atlas, compiled by the Toronto Entomologists’ Association also accepts butterfly records www.ontarioinsects.org/LEP_contributors.htm or call Colin Jones (NHIC) 705-755-2166. Note: submissions to eButterfly are automatically shared.
  • Bumble Bee Watch – a collaborative effort to track and conserve North American bumble bees.  Members can upload photos, identify the species, and have them verified by an expert.  Join the effort to locate rare or endangered populations of bumble bees! www.bumblebeewatch.com or call Wildlife Preservation Canada at 1-800-956-6608.
  • Atlas of Ontario Odonata – temporarily unavailable online, sightings of common dragonflies and damselflies can be submitted to the Toronto Entomologist’s Association, who compile the Atlas with the NHIC.  Call Colin Jones at the NHIC 705-755-2166.
  • OdonataCentral is designed to gather and disseminate information about dragonfly and damselfly distribution and abundance across the Western Hemisphere. http://www.odonatacentral.org
  • For all other insect types, please complete the General Field Data Form (Appendix 7) and submit to your local Area Coordinator or to Carolinian Canada

 

 

 

 

Species Group

Where to Report

Freshwater Mussels & Fish
  • For more information on SARA permitting related to the collection and identification of at-risk freshwater mussels and fish, contact Shawn Staton at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada Shawn.Staton@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or 905-315-5275

Invasive Species

Roadkill

Other common species