Fisheries and Wildlife Management Information System (FWMIS)

The Fisheries and Wildlife Management Information System (FWMIS) is the Government of Alberta's Wildlife database.*

FWMIS provides a central repository for which government staff, industry, and public can store and access extensive standardized and reliable data to support the conservation and management of Alberta's wild species and their habitat.

*Note:

Submitting Wildlife Data to FWMIS

The information you collect is an important contribution to the knowledge base for wildlife management. This section will provide you with information and steps to submit your data into FWMIS.

FWMIS Data Submission Guide -  provides overview information, explanations, and helpful tips


Complete the 4-step process for contributing your data to FWMIS:

Step 1:


Select an appropriate FWMIS loadform from the table below.

Step 2:

Enter brief but descriptive information regarding the survey project into the “Project and Reference Info” worksheet as described in the FWMIS Data Submission Guide.

Step 3:

Enter the collected data into the “Survey” worksheet as described in the FWMIS Data Submission Guide.

Step 4:

FWMIS loadforms are submitted via email to the appropriate Fish and Wildlife representative with responsibility for the area of your data collection. Find the correct contact, by viewing the maps at:

FWMIS loadforms

All collected wildlife data are to be entered into the appropriate FWMIS loadform (Microsoft Excel workbook) according to the type of survey listed below. Please check back periodically for FWMIS Loadform updates.

Area Search Loadform
Area Search Loadform with Example Data
For wildlife surveys associated with pre-construction, well sites, pipelines, etc. Area searches constitute generic searches for species that are encountered within a finite survey area. There are no specific target species and all species or signs of wildlife incidentally encountered are recorded.
Aerial Survey Loadform
Aerial Survey Loadform with Example Data
Accommodates ungulate survey data conducted from both fixed wing and/or rotary aircrafts. Used primarily by government organizations to inventory ungulate populations for establishing regulatory harvest targets.

FWMIS_Survey_Aerial*

Breeding Survey Loadform
Breeding Survey Loadform with Example Data
For surveying wildlife populations primarily during breeding seasons. Typically relies upon species that are readily 'countable' as a result of conspicuity or concentration.

FWMIS_Survey_ Breeding *

Call Playback Survey Loadform
Call Playback Survey Loadform with Example Data
Target species that are particularly secretive. The use of electronically recorded calls can prompt a visual or auditory response from a particular species. Broadcasting calls imitates familiar species calls.

Marking Survey Loadform
Marking Survey Loadform with Example Data
For surveys when physical tags (bands, collars, etc.) are used. The tag is often uniquely identified though an imprinted identification number and/or a unique color combination. Unlike Telemetry methods, active efforts to relocate tags are not accounted for.

Mistnetting Survey Loadform
Mistnetting Survey Loadform with Example Data
Mistnetting employs the use of thin strand mesh to create a net of minimal visibility. This light duty net is used primarily for the capture of smaller fauna.

FWMIS_Survey_MistNetting*

Point Count Survey Loadform
Point Count Survey Loadform with Example Data
Point Count surveys rely on pre-established survey locations (stations). The locations are objectively selected to ensure equal habitat sampling and are often monitored for equal time periods to ensure unbiased efforts.

Random Observation Survey Loadform
Random Observation Survey Loadform with Example Data
For random observations collected under a non-structured methodology, or by ‘chance'. The observations are often collected with no adherence to time or area limitations and are not collected in association with any other survey. Examples of random observation surveys are backyard birders and naturalists with a keen interest in local fauna. Conversely, incidental observations are secondary observations collected in association with another primary survey.

FWMIS_Survey_RandomObservations*

Specimen Survey Loadform
Specimen Survey Loadform with Example Data
This loadform should fulfill the needs of museums, universities and other researchers collecting species samples for anatomical studies.

FWMIS_Survey_Specimen*

Telemetry Survey Loadform
Telemetry Survey Loadform with Example Data
GPS/Radio telemetry technology is becoming increasingly feasible as a cost effective technology for establishing wildlife movement patterns. Researchers affix an individual with a relocation device that emits a signal allowing for its relocation. The telemetry loadform accommodates wildlife movement data collected utilizing both GPS and/or VHF (radio) relocation devices.

FWMIS_Survey_Telemetry*

*Represents Oracle Discoverer queries which are currently only available to employees of Alberta Sustainable Resource    
  Development. Discoverer queries and reports are available by accessing Citrix.

If your survey type does not fit one of the above listed loadforms, access an appropriate FWMIS loadform by emailing:

Information Regarding Submission of FWMIS Data

  • FWMIS is designed for all species. FWMIS is designed to capture and report all vertebrate species, regardless of their conservation status. Please submit all your fish and wildlife observations, regardless of species abundance or commonality. Please forward all Insect and Plant observations to:
  • Data submitted under the conditions of a Wildlife Research Licence or Collection Permit
     should be forwarded to the office or individual who issued your licence/permit. See:
  • Helpful comments for proper data submission are found within the FWMIS loadforms by rolling your mouse over the red triangles in the headings:
Image describing how to comment your data
  • FWMIS has the capability to store images and documents along with data. Feel free to submit, via email, any images or reports (preferably in digital format) that resulted from the collection of the data for storage in FWMIS. The details, context, and results a report or image provides can supplement and enhance the data collected. Please note that this is not mandatory when submitting your data to FWMIS.

Accessing Wildlife Data from FWMIS

FMWIS data can now be accessed by two separate ways:

  1. View FWMIS data spatially online using the Internet Mapping Framework
  2. Requesting FWMIS data by email

View FWMIS data spatially online using the Internet Mapping Framework

Use the IMF to create maps, generate reports, and find fish and wildlife observation information about Alberta. The IMF will provide varying levels of observation detail depending on whether you require fish or wildlife information. For further information, please reference the:

Request FWMIS data by email:

Request data by sending an email to the appropriate Fish and Wildlife representative for the area for which the data is being requested. Find the contact person, by viewing the maps at:

  • Fisheries and Wildlife Management Area Contacts

    Please Note:

    Government of Alberta email address format is ‘FirstName.LastName@gov.ab.ca'
    Note the exception for the Medicine Hat locality: 'John.R.Taggart@gov.ab.ca'


    Please include in the email:

    1. Description of the purpose of data use

      Briefly explain the purpose of the data request, how the data will be used, and who the end users of the data will be.


    2. FWMIS Data Sharing Agreement attachment with a statement of acceptance

      Read and attach a copy of the FWMIS Data Sharing Agreement, stating that you accept the conditions of the agreement, i.e. “I accept and agree to all conditions as per the FWMIS Data Sharing Agreement (attached)”.

Information Regarding FWMIS Data Requests

FWMIS is intended to support the conservation and management of Alberta 's wildlife. Therefore, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act provides that Government may refuse to disclose information that could reasonably be expected to result in inappropriate use.

  • FWMIS data will be provided only for a single use and for a described purpose.


  • Measures are taken to secure the locations of particularly sensitive species to protect wildlife, their habitat, and stakeholders.


  • Source credits, acknowledging original collectors of the data, will be provided with any data distributed from FWMIS. All end users of the data must cite these credits as per the FWMIS Data Sharing Agreement.

Posted: April 9, 2008
Updated: August 19, 2008