I have always assumed that historic data is a valuable addition to iRecord. There is a wealth of data stored in notebooks, file cards and photographs created before the advent of iRecord and other recording platforms which can help illuminate changes in species distribution and populations. It also gives those now unable to get out into the field as much as in previous years the opportunity to be involved in this exciting project and feel that they are adding to the sum of human knowledge. I am currently entering data from my late mother's notebooks dating from the 1970s to the 2000s and was surprised yesterday by a verifier's comment that they "don't really see the point in entering records now from 1984". Surely this is not a great message to send to recorders?
The only reason we can say we have lost habitats and species is because we have old records showing what used to be there. If we just recorded what is out there today we would have no idea what was threatened, we wouldn't even know what was native. That verifier should wake up and realise that we aren't just collecting stamps.