Help - Observation Form Details

This page presents detailed instructions on every field in the observation form.

• Location Name - This name will be displayed on the Google maps, to help you remember this location in future. Examples include 'my front yard', 'SW corner of Marty's field', and 'Under the big poplar'.
  
  
  
• Location - This is the geographical location of your observation.  We use Google maps to help you identify your location more easily.  There are three ways to find your location on the Google maps.
  
  1. Search for your location by entering the address, intersection, or feature name (lake, river, national/provincial park, city/town name, or any other feature name).

OR

2. Search by latitude and longitude coordinates, if you have recorded your location using an instrument called a 'global positioning system' (or GPS). An example that you might enter is: 55.1234, -113.1234, for 55.1234 north latitude, and 113.1234 west longitude (you need the minus (-) sign in Alberta.) Please provide at least 4 decimal places.

OR
3. Browse the Google maps to find your location.

Once you zoom to the area, click on the map where your plant location is. Once you click on the map, latitude and longitude information for that location will be displayed below the map. This location will be automatically added to your plant observation.

Plant Name - Here you can select the plant that you are observing from the dropdown list

• First Bloom/Mid Bloom/Leaf-out Date - Use the dropdown options or the calendar to enter the first bloom date. To open the calendar click on the calendar icon.
  
  
  Once you click on the calendar icon, the calendar will open where you can select your date by clicking on it.
  
  
  
  
• Temperature - Select one
  
  
• Moisture - Select one
  
  
• Plant Slope - Select the best description for the plant's location
  
  
• Slope Faces - If the plant is on a slope, the direction the slope faces affects how much sun it receives. Sunnier slopes are warmer. Select the direction your slope faces here.
  
  
• Plant Location - Human structures can also add warmth. Is your plant close to a wall or building?
  
  
• Wall Faces - If your plant is within 10 m of a wall, please note which direction that wall faces.
  
  
• Habitat Type - Select the habitat type for your location
  
  
  
• Image - You can take a picture of the plant and submit it with your observation.  This will help us to more easily process your record. To submit the picture, click on the browse button and select the picture from your computer files. The program will automatically resize your picture to a small file size.
  
  
  
  
• Comments - Add any additional information about your observation that you are not able to record in the other fields.
  
  
  
• Click on "Save" when done.