Wisconsin NatureMapping is a biodiversity survey program that allows citizens, school groups, and professionals to enter wildlife observations into a statewide database and map those observations spatially through an online interface. The observations are then used for natural resource management, scientific studies and environmental education and have been included in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan. By collecting and recording wildlife observations, NatureMappers become more aware of their surroundings, deepen their sense of place, and strengthen their connection to the natural world. The WI NatureMapping program began in 2003. Wildlife observations recorded in the database encompass 37 different types of observer activities, although the majority of submitted records are incidental observations. The objective of this study was to analyze five years of data (2003-2007) to determine patterns in data collection, program participation, and spatial distribution of the observations, including comparisons between mammal observations and published mammal range maps for WI. Spatial analyses were conducted in ArcMap 9.1.

Results/Conclusions

There were 707 registered WI NatureMappers as of Feb. 27, 2008 and a total of 9,243 records were submitted between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2007. Preliminary results indicate that the majority of wildlife observations were made in the region around which the WI NatureMapping program is housed (Eau Claire), and near Milwaukee and La Crosse. The number of observations has consistently grown over the five-year period with the exception of 2006, when observations of all of the major animal groups (mammals, birds, and herps) declined. The preliminary results of this research suggest the need for more recruitment and training of NatureMappers in the northeastern, southeastern, and central parts of the state and areas farther removed from the WI NatureMapping home base. They also suggest a need for targeted programming for species not commonly observed incidentally. Further outreach should also be conducted with university researchers, state and federal employees, and other monitoring groups to encourage consistent submittal of data to this centralized data storage system.