Follow normal methods to display a report on your screen.
Yes, but this method may change without notice:
First you need to determine the code number for your species of interest. As an example, 050049 can be found as the Species Code for red fox (Vulpes vulpes fulva) by using "Species Information By Name", searching "fox", and finding the row where common name is "Fox, red". Construct your URL as
The VaFWIS is used to provide information about Virginia's wildlife to the public, educators, other state agencies, Federal agencies, landowners, wildlife enthusiasts, school children, non-profit groups, private industry, private engineering and private consulting firms. Information in the VaFWIS includes life history, food habits, species' distributions across Virginia, species locations and even geographical information about the Commonwealth. There are currently nine databases maintained within the VaFWIS that provide users with current information about Virginia's wildlife. This is the most complete and up to date information available on the World Wide Web.
The VDGIF is mandated to protect Virginia's wildlife. One of the ways we have chosen to do that is by making information about these species available to those who need it through the VaFWIS.
The Code of Virginia states that wildlife includes any species in the animal kingdom. So, this means that the VDGIF has jurisdiction over fish, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, mollusks, other terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates and all insects except those listed as threatened, endangered or candidate.
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS).
Threatened and endangered plants are managed by VDACS. All other plants are responsibility of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)
There are some old plant and threatened and endangered insect data on the VaFWIS, but these data have not been updated since the mid-1990's. So, for the most current data on these species, please contact VDACS and DCR .
No.
There are multiple sources for the data associated with the VaFWIS. Some databases are from internal sources such as the Scientific Collections database and the Anadromous Fish Use Areas. Bald Eagle Nest data is provided with cooperation between DGIF and the Center for Conservation Biology. Whereas others such as the USGS Geographic Names and topographic maps are subsets of data collected and compiled nationally. These data are available from other sources. The information contained in the Biota of Virginia (BOVA) booklets for each species is compiled from numerous literary references. References for each chapter are listed at the end of the chapter. For specific information about each database, please refer to the "database descriptions" located in the Appendix of the user manual located in the "Help" section and under "Data Descriptions and Metadata".
BBS (North American Breding Bird Survey) is no longer available on VaFWIS but may be found at http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs.
CBC (Audubon Christmas Bird Count) is no longer available on VaFWIS but may be found at http://birds.audubon.org/christmas-bird-count.
The Scientific Collections and BOVA databases are updated monthly. Staff at VDGIF is continuously entering collections records and updating the information contained in the species booklets. The other databases, such as Threatened and Endangered Species Waters, are updated as new data are made available. Some of the surveys are performed annually, others bi-annually, and so on. Data from these surveys are therefore made available at different times and rates during the year. VDGIF keeps the data as current as possible.
For wildlife species, you need to contact VDGIF's Environmental Service Section, at 804-367-6913.
For insects or plants, you need to contact VDACS's Plant Protection Biologist, Keith Tignor at 804-786-3515.
Please view our
Documents are available online through the VaFWIS from the "help" link in the navigation menu on the left side of the screen. The appendix is in .PDF format for easy downloading and printing.
Manuals and appendix are updated on a monthly basis or when changes are made to the system - whichever is required to keep it up to date. Changes and enhancements will continue to be made to the VaFWIS as new GIS layers and data sets become available. The user manuals will be kept up to date to reflect any of these changes.
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Contact Shirl Dressler at shirl.dressler@dgif.virginia.gov or at 804-367-6913.