Contribute Data
Have you found an aquatic invasive species? Report it to help protect the Great Lakes.
Found a Great Lakes Invader?
If you think you've found a new invasive species in the Great Lakes region, here’s how you can help.
1 Check the GLANSIS Database
First, please make sure the organism you found has not already been documented in your location.
- Open the GLANSIS List Generator.
- Enter the common name into the search field and click Submit Query.
- Click on the scientific name to bring up the fact sheet.
- Scroll to the link which reads Great Lakes Region Collection Information and click to bring up all the locations where that organism has been found.
- Browse the list to look for your location.
If the organism you found isn’t listed for your location, you may have found a new invader! Proceed to Step 2.
2 Report Your Discovery
Please report your discovery to our partners at the USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) program. You will need the following information:
- A specimen or photo: Take a clear photo capturing key features to help us confirm your identification.
- Date: The exact date it was located or observed.
- Location: GPS coordinates are preferred. If you don’t have them, provide detailed landmarks (e.g., "within 2 yards of the public beach boat access on Green Lake").
- Contact Info: So we can follow up if needed.
Are you a Researcher?
Do you work with herbarium records, fisheries data, or other verified collections in the region? We are always looking to add to our records. If you have a spreadsheet of collection records you would like to share, please contact us!
Email Bulk Data- There are 187+ nonindigenous species in the Great Lakes region.
- There are 94,000 square miles of water.
- There are 200,000 square miles of land in the basin.
- ...and there are only about 100 dedicated AIS biologists in the entire region. We appreciate all the help we can get!