Data Submission Forms and Tools

Below are links to forms and applications for submitting native botanical, animal, and non-native species survey and observation data as well as photos of species and habitats. In general, we encourage the use of iNaturalist and Survey123 forms if you plan to regularly report data to us in order to make sure it is efficiently and rapidly brought into our data system.

• We encourage the general public and natural resource managers to use iNaturalist to submit data for which identifications to species are uncertain so that the worldwide community of iNaturalist identifiers can help verify the species reported.
• We encourage the use of Survey123 forms for professional biologists, natural resource managers, and others conducting formal surveys for which they are certain of the identification to species. Our two most commonly used and widely applicable Survey123 forms are linked below. If you are a biologist conducting standardized surveys we have a number of Survey123 forms already built for gathering data following standardized protocols. We would also be happy to create a Survey123 form to meet your particular needs to facilitate standardized data collection and sharing.

If you have questions about the most efficient way to send data to us, please contact us at mtnhp@mt.gov.

Native Botanical Observations

• iNaturalist - Montana Natural Heritage Observations Project (view Getting Started and other FAQs and Tutorials)
• Survey123 - Heritage Obs Collector (view tutorials Video or PDF)
• Plant Observation and Threat Reporting Form (Excel spreadsheet with 4 tabs)
• Field Observation Form for Species of Concern (PDF file)
• Lichen Observation Reporting Form (Excel spreadsheet with 3 tabs)
• Moss Observation Reporting Form (Excel spreadsheet with 3 tabs)

Animal Observations

• iNaturalist - Montana Natural Heritage Observations Project (view Getting Started and other FAQs and Tutorials)
• Survey123 - Heritage Obs Collector (view tutorials Video or PDF)
• MBRC Rare Bird Form and Help

Non-native Species Observations

• iNaturalist - Montana Natural Heritage Observations Project (view Getting Started and other FAQs and Tutorials)
• Survey123 - Rapid Weed Reporter (view tutorials Video or PDF)

Photograph and Illustration Submissions

If you are interested in contributing photographs or illustrations to the Montana Natural Heritage Program, please reach out to us at mtnhp@mt.gov to arrange the submission. You will be asked to read and sign our Authorization for Use of Visual Materials form below.

• Authorization for Use of Visual Materials (for submission of numerous images)
• Submit an Image (for submission of individual images)