See it, Map it! Ontario Now Has an Invasive Species App!

OFAH FILE: 842
March 25, 2014

See it, Map it! Ontario Now Has an Invasive Species App!

Concerned about Asian carp, giant hogweed, or zebra mussels? You can report these species and more online or with your mobile device using EDDMapS Ontario.

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH), in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR), the Invasive Species Centre (ISC) and the University of Georgia Centre for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health are announcing their new EDDMapS Ontario online and mobile App for Android and Apple devices.

EDDMapS Ontario is a fast and easy way to map invasive species without any GIS experience. Users simply take a picture with their mobile device and report from where ever they are. It’s that simple!

“Preventing invasive species from arriving and becoming established in Ontario is critical in our fight against this growing threat,” says the Honourable David Orazietti, Ontario Minister of Natural Resources. “Ontario is proud to be working in partnership with OFAH on the development of the EDDMapS Ontario App. The App will serve as a key prevention tool helping Ontario to detect and track the spread of invasive species and, along with Ontario’s proposed Invasive Species Act, will make Ontario a national leader in invasive species prevention and management.”

The new EDDMapS Ontario App builds on the EDDMapS Ontario web online system that contains more than 17,000 invasive species records from Ontario. Using your mobile device, you can make a report, search data and distribution maps, get email alerts and learn about more than 150 invasive species. The App helps Early Detection and Rapid Response efforts, maximizing the effectiveness and accessibility of invasive species observations with a network of expert verifiers.

“The EDDMapS App is an excellent innovation that takes cutting-edge technology and makes it accessible to Ontarians who want to play a role in preventing the arrival and spread of invasive species,” says Dilhari Fernando, Invasive Species Centre Executive Director. “Invasive species, if they arrive and take hold, can irreversibly alter our landscapes and waterways. EDDMapS will enable citizens to contribute to protecting Ontario’s forests, natural lands, lakes and rivers from the serious economic, environmental and social costs of invaders.”

“Preventing the introduction of invasive species into Ontario woods and waters is everyone’s responsibility,” says OFAH Executive Director Angelo Lombardo. “EDDMapS Ontario is another tool in our efforts to prevent invasive species introductions. We certainly hope that you’ll join us in this fight to protect this province’s fish and wildlife by signing up online and downloading this App to start tracking invasive species in your area.”

You can start tracking invasive species today by signing up at www.eddmaps.org/Ontario or visiting the Google Play store and Apple iTunes App store. The OFAH and OMNR will be hosting a series of workshops and webinars to promote EDDMapS Ontario. Contact the OFAH/OMNR Invading Species Awareness Program at 1-800-563-7711 or email eddmaps@ofah.org to learn more about the new mapping system.

With over 100,000 members, subscribers and supporters, and 720 member clubs, the OFAH is the province’s largest nonprofit, fish and wildlife conservation-based organization, and the VOICE of anglers and hunters. For more information, visit www.ofah.org.

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