Not all data is appropriate to be stored directly in the AKN. To learn more about the types of data that are best suited for the AKN, the various options for sharing data with the AKN, and other data sharing options outside of AKN that can still benefit the AKN and its users, visit About AKN Data.
There are a number of options for getting your data into AKN (including bulk uploading, entering the data manually, or connecting an existing database via API). There are also a number of options for managing it after entry or upload (including adding others to your project to help you enter and review data, adjusting sharing levels to share your data with certain AKN tools (Learn more about the AKN data sharing levels), or using the Analyst tool that comes with your account to look at patterns and trends in your data). The primary three data management tools (Project Leader, Biologist, and Analyst) can be accessed by clicking on the icons below once you have established an account or become a registered user in the AKN.
For more information and instructions for each of the various data sharing options, expand the sections associated with the task you wish to accomplish below. If you have questions about how to begin with entering or uploading data in the AKN:
- If you are a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Refuge program employee, please contact the Inventory and Monitoring Data Manager, IM_DataManager@fws.gov
- If you are working with the Borderlands Avian Data Center or have data for Arizona, California, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas or Mexico, please contact a Borderlands Node Coordinator
- For all other inquiries, please contact Ellie Armstrong at eea@klamathbird.org (Note: There may be a fee for Ellie’s services, depending on what level of assistance is needed)
A number of video tutorials about the data entry tools and options are available in the last section below.
I would like to create a project in AKN and add data points manually, or bulk upload a dataset in AKN
The first step to gain the ability to add a project and bulk upload your data or add individual data points manually in the AKN is to register for a user account as a Project Leader.
To become a registered user with Project Leader permissions, please submit a request by filling out the required fields in the AKN Zendesk form.
Once you have established a Project Leader account, you can log into the system by clicking on the project leader icon at the top of this page, and begin project development. As the Project Leader, you are able to create and manage sampling units, download and review field observations, review and select the protocol(s) used, adjust and manage data sharing levels (learn more about data sharing levels), and load observations in bulk (for select datasets) via the Bulk Uploader tool. You are also able to grant other users access to the project via the following role options:
- Biologist: Users granted access to this application are able to enter and review field observations.
- Analyst: Users granted access to this application are able to retrieve and analyze field observation data using existing tools.
If you have a dataset you’d like to bulk upload into the AKN, this may require assistance to accomplish. You may view the video tutorial on the bottom of this page to introduce you to the process. However, if you’re not already well-versed in the tool, you may need some assistance. If you anticipate needing assistance, please use the following contacts:
- If you are a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Refuge program employee, please contact Catherine Devlaming at catherine_devlaming@fws.gov
- If you are working with the Borderlands Avian Data Center or have data for Arizona, California, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas or Mexico, please contact a Borderlands Node Coordinator
- For all other inquiries, please contact Ellie Armstrong at eea@klamathbird.org (Note: There may be a fee for Ellie’s services, depending on what level of assistance is needed)
I would like to gain access to manage, view, download or analyze an existing AKN dataset
If you would like to obtain Project Leader, Biologist or Analyst permissions associated with an already existing project in AKN is to become a registered user following the steps below. Note that you can only gain these permissions if you have approval to do so. As such, you must obtain the project code for the existing Project from the Project Leader and provide it during the registration process.
To become a registered user, simply follow these easy steps:
- Fill out an online form by providing basic background information and an email address and password for sign-in.
- Provide a code for a project you would like to be a part of (again, you will get this code from the Project Leader).
- Once you have provided all the required information, our system will generate an email and send it to you in order for you to verify your email address and verify that you requested an account.
- Once your email is verified, the project leader for the requested project is notified and activates your account.
- You will be sent an email at the completion of this process with links to the data applications you have access to.
- You will be assigned to one of the following permissions for each datasets you are given access to, and can exercise your permissions by logging in at the Biologist and Analyst applications sites.
- Biologist: Users granted access to this application are able to enter and review field observations.
- Analyst: Users granted access to this application are able to retrieve and analyze field observation data using existing tools.
An inventory of project data sets and other collections of data posted by AKN members are described in the AKN Data Catalog. You can search for data that may be of interest to you using spatial or species criteria. Some datasets may be posted and available directly in the catalog, while other descriptions provide a point of contact for more information or requests for access. If you have an AKN account you can also download data that has already been shared publicly in a format that should allow cross project analyses and comparison via the AKN Data Downloader. For more information and to download these public datasets and use the summary and analysis tools available for these datasets see Use AKN Tools with AKN Data to Explore Patterns and Trends .
I would like to gain access to view, download or analyze a demo dataset
If you wish to view a demo dataset and test the capabilities for Biologist and Analyst permissions, follow these steps:
- Fill out an online form by providing basic background information and an email address and password for sign-in.
- Enter DMWADC in the Project Code field.
- In the “Additional Message” field, indicate which permission you would like to have for the demo dataset
- Once you have provided all the required information, our system will generate an email and send it to you in order for you to verify your email address and verify that you requested an account.
- You will be sent an email at the completion of this process with links to the demo application you have access to.
- You will be assigned to one of the following permissions for each datasets you are given access to:
- Biologist: Users granted access to this application are able to enter and review field observations
- Analyst: Users granted access to this application are able to retrieve and analyze field observations
I would like to develop and Application Programming Interface (API) to share my data from a database external to the AKN or use AKN data in my system or tool
The development of an API may include some cost, depending on the type of API you’d like to develop and the extent of the API programming support and knowledge you may already have. If you’re interested in developing an API, please notify an AKN representative for more information on this option.
I would like to see video tutorials for AKN data upload and management features
Setting Up a Project (Getting a Project Leader Account): For a short web tutorial on setting up a new project and adding field observations, visit the How to Get Set Up and Manage Data in the AKN video tutorial.
Biologist and Analyst Roles: For a short web tutorial on adding a new project user and assigning Biologist and Analyst permissions for this user, visit the Biologist Application video tutorial and the Analyst Application video tutorial.
Managing and Adjusting Data Sharing Levels: For a short web tutorial on Data Sharing Levels, visit the Manage and Adjust Data Sharing Levels video tutorial.
Using the Bulk Uploader: For bulk uploading data, visit the following short web tutorials:
