This document is meant to be used as general guidance for using the HabITS application. It provides a general introduction to the HabITS application in the first section with a focus on application access, navigation, and the data which may be found under separate modules within the application.
In order to access the HabITS application a user must first have an account with ECOS.
Login to Secure ECOS at https://ecos.fws.gov and supply the users AD credentials. If the user has never established an account they will be asked to setup their profile at this time. If they already have an ECOS account access the PROFILE page (under My Account) and verify their current profile. If the user has switched stations recently it may not be accurate and they will need to submit a help desk ticket to have ECOS change their profile.
Release Notes (link also found at the top of the HabITS Dashboard)
Advanced Mapper (5.11 Released )
New Report Interface (5.11 Released )
New Report Platform (5.11 Released )
Focus Area Module (5.11 Released )
Strategic Planning Module (5.12 Soon to be released)
Analysis Mapper (5.13 Soon to be released)
These videos are older versions but still a good place to start if you have never really worked in HabITS V5. They will familiarize you with the new V5.
Webinar given by Linh Phu - Differences between HabITS V4 and HabITS V5 - July 2015
Webinar given by Eric Rank - Basic work flow demonstration in the new HabITS V5 - July 2015
New Videos Coming Soon!
More detailed definitions and domain values can be found by clicking the
icon within the HabITS V5 application. Tool tips can be found anywhere a user would input data. Anytime there are multiple choices for an entry the user can go to a domain value table for definitions on the possible selections.
1. After logging into the Environmental Conservation Online System (ECOS) click HabITS 5 Dashboard to access HabITS.
2. The first page you will see is the HabITS V5 Dashboard, here you will see a list of your office’s Recent Mechanism, Projects, and Accomplishments. These lists can also be sorted. From this page you can also Search for a Mechanism, Search for a Project, or Search for an Accomplishment.
3. Hover your mouse pointer over the Habitat Improvement tab to see the options available in the Habitat Improvement Module. Under the Feature Search category you can Search for a Mechanism, Search for a Project, Search for an Accomplishment, Search for a Focus Area, or File Search. You can also Create New Mechanism and Create a New Focus Area.
4. Hover your mouse pointer over the Reports tab, here you can choose to run a Basic Report or an Advanced Filtering Report.
6. If you need further help click the Help tab, this will link you to the main HabITS Confluence Page where you can find many resources on how to use HabITS V5.
Search for a Mechanism
Search for a Project
Search for an Accomplishment
Search a Focus Area
Search for a Strategic Plan Activity
File Search
Printable Tutorial; Creating a Mechanism
1. Start from the HabITS Dashboard and click the Habitat Improvement module, then click Create a New Mechanism under Mechanisms.
2. Start by clicking the Planning? check box, this will allow you to start entering your information and save the Mechanism as a draft. Continue by entering a Mechanism Name, Type, Agreement Number, Parent Mechanism (if applicable), Lead Office, etc. After entering all of your information click the save button at the bottom of your screen. **After you have entered all required data and the Mechanism Geometry has been created you will need to uncheck the Planning? check box, if you do not, all Projects and Accomplishments nested under the Mechanism will be in planning mode.**
3. After clicking Save you should see a green splash banner (for just a second or two) saying your Mechanism was saved successfully. After saving you will see a message in the upper right of your screen “This Mechanism does not have a geometry”, this will be the next step in the tutorial, click +Create Mechanism Geometry now.
4. After clicking +Create Mechanism Geometry you will be taken to the HabITS mapper. From here you can choose to draw or upload your mechanisms geometry. For this tutorial we will be uploading a shapefile that has already been created using ArcMap. Click upload now. For more information on how to create and package shapefiles to be uploaded into HabITS click How-To Create and Package Spatial Data in ArcGIS for Uploading in HabITS V5 (Not available yet)
5. After clicking Upload a file explorer window will open allowing you to search for an choose your shapefile. Once you select your shapefile click Open.
6. After opening your shapefile in the HabITS mapper you should see your Mechanism polygon.
7. Click on the polygon and you will see a small box that says +Activate. Click it in order to make the polygon active in the Mapper.
8. After clicking +Activate your polygon should turn blue and you should be able to see the vertices within the polygon. Now click on the green Return to Mechanism Form button in the upper left of the screen.
9. After returning to the Mechanism Form you should see your geometry in the small mapper window in the upper right of your screen. You must hit the Save button in order to save the geometry to the Mechanism, after saving you should see the green splash screen (for a couple of seconds) saying your Mechanism has been saved successfully. After saving, move on to entering information in the Non-FWS Partners and Files if applicable.
10. After clicking the Non-FWS Partners tab then proceed by clicking the Partner Search dropdown box. Type the name of the Partner to search, after searching, select the Partner by clicking on it.
11. After clicking the Partner you would like to select, click Select Partner to add them. Repeat the previous steps to add multiple partners.
12. After adding your Partners you can now choose to select their rolls in the Mechanism. You must click the save button in order to fully add the Partners to the Mechanism. After saving you will see the green splash screen (for a couple of seconds) saying your Mechanism has been saved successfully. Next click the Files tab to the right of the Non-FWS Partners tab.
13. After clicking the Files tab proceed by clicking the +Add File button.
14. From this page you can add any files related to the Mechanism.
15. Proceed by entering the Title, Document Type, Author, and Abstract. Then click Choose File, a file explorer window will open allowing you to select the file you would like to upload, select file and click open then click the Save button. **You must remove Publically Identifiable Information (PII) from ANY file you add to HabITS**
16. After saving you should see the file you added in a list. Repeat the previous steps to add more files. Now that all applicable information has been entered in to the Mechanism, uncheck the Planning? check box to save the final version (you can still edit if needed).
17. Now that a Mechanism has been created you can move on to adding a Project to the Mechanism.
(Performance Reports Only - This report is generated differently than all other reports. All other reports will be updated in the future to run this way.)
(All reports except Performance Reports)
(Performance Reports Only - This report is generated differently than all other reports. All other reports will be updated in the future to run this way.)
(All reports except Performance Reports)
Specialty Reports
Creating a Focus Area
Strategic Plan Activities
Creating a Strategic Plan Activity
Strategic Plan Targeting
How-To Create and Package Spatial Data in ArcGIS for Uploading in HabITS V5
Other Pages
PFW/CP Staff Point of Contact Information Link:
Directory of all PFW/CP staff
Financial Assistance (FA) Guidance Links:
FY2017 End of Year QA/QC Documents:
End of the Year Calendar
Guidance Documents:
FY17 Partners and Coastal Accomplishment Reporting Memo
FY17 HabITS QA/QC Guidelines and Instructions
FY17 Washington Office
QA/QC “Flagged” Error Lists
FY17 PTrac Process: Directions for PFW & CP Regional Program Entries
FY17 Business Rules and Guidance – Annual Target Setting and Reporting
FY17 Director’s Memo with Attached PTrac Timeline