The Observatory specializes in collecting, interpreting, and maintaining datasets crucial for understanding changes in Maine’s plant and wildlife populations. We are committed to filling data gaps for Maine’s least understood species and creating a legacy of data for use in nature conservation, land use policy decisions, and expanding scientific knowledge.
Explore the Data
Island Plants Map
An interactive map of vascular plant species distribution on 278 of Maine’s coastal islands. The map contains information from published and unpublished datasets as well as 30+ years of surveys by MNHO staff. To our knowledge, this is the most comprehensive snapshot of what is known about plant distribution on Maine islands available at this time.
Download Plant Data
Access raw data files, reports, survey maps, and island field guides from Glen Mittelhauser’s 30+ years of Maine coastal island vascular plant surveys. We have made these data publicly available to encourage transparency and support long-term preservation, continued research, conservation planning, and education.
Whip-poor-will
Migration Map
This interactive map lets you follow tagged Whip-poor-wills on their fall migration from Maine to their non-breeding grounds in South America. MNHO has been tracking Whip-poor-wills with Motus nanotag technology in collaboration with MDIFW and Biodiversity Research Institute since 2023.
Saw-whet Owl
Migration Map
This interactive map lets you follow the spring and fall migrations of tagged Northern Saw-whet owls. In collaboration with Project Owlnet, MNHO has been tracking Saw-whet owls with Motus nanotag technology since 2024.
Coastal Songbird Bioacoustic Study Map
This interactive map lets you explore the findings of MNHO’s Coastal Songbird Bioacoustic Study. MNHO launched this project to inventory and monitor island breeding songbird populations in 2024.
Seaweed Map
This interactive map lets you explore what is known about seaweed species distribution in Maine. This map is a compilation of over 55,000 records (herbarium specimens, published and unpublished reports, and observations) from the past 170+ years.
Seaweed Database
MNHO’s seaweed database is a compilation of all modern and historic records available about seaweed species distribution in Maine. This database is a compilation of over 55,000 vouchers (herbarium specimens), references (published and unpublished reports), and observations of Maine seaweed species from the past 170+ years.