The NBN Trust and JNCC recently co-hosted two workshops on the use of available tools for managing biodiversity data. The workshops took place in Edinburgh on the 14th October and in London on the 19th November. The London workshop followed the NBN Conference, which showcased innovative uses of new tools and technology by NBN partners.
A survey was conducted beforehand to ask biodiversity data managers which tools and topics they would most like to learn more about. As a result, the workshops included sessions on the NBN Gateway and Record Cleaner, NBN Web Services, Instant Indicia and Second Site, a flexible data management system developed by the Yorkshire and Humber Environmental Data Network.
The workshops were attended by over 60 participants from a wide range of organisations including national recording schemes, local record centres, Government agencies, local authorities, National Park Authorities, conservation NGOs, ecological consultancies and academic and research institutions. Participants came from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Subsequent feedback has been very positive; one participant said “It’s really promising to see the NBN Trust and JNCC supporting such events and encouraging the uptake of excellent tools that will make a real difference to biological recording, biodiversity information management and objectives which depend on both.”
Most participants said they intend to incorporate the tools into their organisation’s data management activities within the next six months. They have some very interesting plans for making use of the tools, including monitoring the effect of different grazing regimes on limestone grassland invertebrate diversity, setting up a citizen science project to engage the public in recording seaweeds, and developing biological recording apps for Android phones. The NBN Trust and JNCC welcome these innovative and imaginative proposals, which have the potential to deliver real benefits for biodiversity, and look forward to helping the workshop participants achieve their aims.
For those who couldn’t attend, the presentations and other course materials are available to download below. It is anticipated that similar events will be run in the future.
NBN Record Cleaner demonstration
Photos: Gary van Breda and Jim Bacon help participants get to grips with Instant Indicia to set up tailor-made online recording websites.
Graham French, NBN Trust Technical Liaison Officer, demonstrates the new features of the NBN Gateway Interactive Map.