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Photo: Gabriel Evans-Cook
About NatureCounts

NatureCounts is a data and technology platform developed by Birds Canada and used by hundreds of conservation organizations. NatureCounts supports the collection, management, interpretation, and sharing of biodiversity data for conservation and research. The NatureCounts platform:

Facilitates data collection by monitoring and research programs.
Integrates and streamlines data from hundreds of projects into a single repository.
Supports analysis to generate knowledge and power exploration.
Shares data with the conservation community to drive conservation action.
Provides tools and knowledge that support sound decision-making and policy.

The data in NatureCounts come from hundreds of monitoring and research projects, both current and historical. NatureCounts aims to put comprehensive, reliable data in the hands of people who can make a difference for birds and biodiversity.

NatureCounts is made possible by our generous supporters.

How it Works

Data Collection
Monitoring and research programs collect data and submit it to NatureCounts via the app, web, or bulk upload.
Data Interpretation
Project management and analysis tools help to clean, organize and interpret data to generate useful knowledge.
Data Sharing Policy
Data and data products are shared, viewed, and downloaded to generate an impact for biodiversity.

Collecting Data

The data housed in NatureCounts come from hundreds of monitoring and research projects. Some projects are current, while others date back over a century. NatureCounts supports data collection with its innovative mobile app, online data entry, bulk upload, and project management tools, and through partnerships with organizations like Audubon, eBird and WildTrax.
Learn more about the mobile app.
See the projects currently using NatureCounts.
Contact us about archiving complete datasets.

Interpreting Data

NatureCounts works to make data as accessible, interoperable, and usable as possible with a standardized format and comprehensive metadata. NatureCounts provides access to data products like trend and distribution maps, and raw data via a web browser or R package. A flagship product, The State of Canada’s Birds, provides in-depth population analysis for all birds that occur in Canada.
Explore the trend and distribution maps.
Discover the datasets and their metadata.
Dive into the State of Canada’s Birds.

Sharing Data

NatureCounts is a critical link between people and organizations that collect data, and those who can use data for conservation and research. Data from NatureCounts are used for impact assessment, Species at Risk assessment, land use planning, habitat restoration, conservation decision-making, academic research, and much more. The potential of the data is nearly endless.
Map, explore, or download data.
Learn how the data are used for conservation.

Guiding Principles

Conservation Impact
NatureCounts benefits bird populations by facilitating data collection, providing data access, and supporting analysis and action.
User Focus
NatureCounts prioritizes a positive user experience and reduces barriers to participation for everyone, following IDEA principles (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access).
Open Access Data
NatureCounts follows international data standards and FAIR principles (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reuse) of digital assets (go-fair.org).
Collaboration
NatureCounts facilitates and enables the work of hundreds of conservation actors by sharing data, expertise, and resources.
Efficiency
NatureCounts makes software, tools, and data flexible and reusable for multiple purposes and projects, maximizing resources and minimizing costs.

Additional Resources

Strategic Plan

The NatureCounts strategic plan provides a deeper look at NatureCounts, and where we’re going through 2030.

Learn more

Learning Hub

The NatureCounts learning hub hosts tutorials and other resources to familiarize users with the platform.

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On The Warblers

This episode of The Warblers podcast delves into what NatureCounts is, how it works, and why it matters.

Learn more