The NBN Conference 2023 took place on Thursday 23 November at the National Museums Scotland in Edinburgh. All the presentations and audio recordings are now available.

The information below relates to the programme for the day and is retained for information purposes.

Theme of NBN Conference 2023

The theme will follow the NBN Trust Strategy 2022-2027 “Making data work for nature” with each of the sessions following our four Strategic Ambitions:

Ambition 1: The NBN Atlas is the ‘go to’ place for sharing, finding and accessing UK biodiversity data
Ambition 2: Biodiversity data is providing the evidence needed for nature’s recovery
Ambition 3: Citizen science is valued, supported and expanded as a major source of biodiversity data
Ambition 4: The National Biodiversity Network is a well-connected and highly collaborative community with a united voice on key issues

Speakers and programme

Download the latest programme (14 Nov 23)

The confirmed speakers are as follows. Please click on the names for more information and details of the individual presentations.

  • Charlotte Bolton, National Seasearch Coordinator, Marine Conservation Society – “35 years of Seasearch – building on volunteer data into the future”
  • Dr. Steph Bradbeer, Senior Ecologist (Biosecurity and Invasive Species), Yorkshire Water – “INNS Mapper – recording invasive non-native species sightings, survey and management”
  • Dr. Fiona Burns – Principal Conservation Scientist, RSPB – Fiona will be participating in the panel discussion
  • Lisa Chilton, Chief Executive Officer, NBN Trust – “The Art of Data – harnessing creativity to maximise the impact of biodiversity data”
  • Kyle Copas, Communications Manager, Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) – “Transmitting the value of GBIF at national scale”
  • Iain Dixon, Seasearch Scotland Coordinator, Marine Conservation Society – “35 years of Seasearch – building on volunteer data into the future”
  • Adam Fraser, Monitoring Ecologist, Cairngorms National Park Authority – “Monitoring biodiversity in the Cairngorms National Park”
  • Helen Manders-Jones, NBN Atlas Lead Developer, NBN Trust – “NBN Atlas 2023 update”
  • Màiri McAllan MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition will give an opening speech
  • Deb Muscat, ALERC National Coordinator, Association of Local Environmental Records Centres – Deb will be participating in the panel discussion
  • David O’Brien, Biodiversity Evidence and Reporting Manager, NatureScot – David will be participating in the panel discussion
  • Natalie Prosser, Chief Executive Officer, The Office for Environmental Protection – The Sir John Burnett Memorial Lecture – “Tackling the biodiversity crisis through effective environmental governance – the role and work of the OEP”
  • Lucy Robinson, Citizen Science Manager, Natural History Museum, London – “Boosting biodiversity in education: linking community science with action”
  • Simon Rolph, Data Scientist, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology – “Assessing NBN Atlas comprehensiveness and the impact of data providers: Insights from a Data Study Group”
  • Dr. Ben Rowson, Honorary Non-marine Recorder, Conchological Society of Great Britain & Ireland / Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales – “Non-marine mollusc distribution mapping by the Conchological Society of Great Britain & Ireland: a citizen science project in the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries”
  • Giselle Sterry, iNaturalistUK lead, NBN Trust – “iNaturalistUK – growing the network and increasing our knowledge”
  • Dr Michael Tetley, Better Biodiversity Data project – Scotland Programme Manager, NBN Trust – “The Better Biodiversity Data Project”

Download the programme (13 Nov 23)

Bookings

Please go to the bookings page to see the ticket options and to book your place. If you book by 13 November we can ensure you have a printed name badge and your dietary requirements are catered for.

Ticket Price
Type of ticket
Member rate £75.00
Non-member rate £105.00
Student £45.00

Displays and demonstrations

There are excellent opportunities for Network participants to showcase their work by having a display stand at the NBN Conference. There is no cost for this, it just needs to be manned during registration, tea / coffee breaks and lunchtime and those manning the stand will need to be registered as delegates.

NBN Trust members will be given priority and space will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Please contact us if you would like to have a stand.

Social media

Join in on the day using #NBNconf23

Sponsors

We are very grateful to the following organisations for their generous support of this year’s NBN Conference:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The venue

National Museum of Scotland

Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
(Please note: As the Conference will start before the Museum opens to the public, entry will be via Lothian Street. More information will be provided to delegates once booked)