The Better Biodiversity Data (BBD) project completed its initial 2-year period at the end of March 2025. The BBD team and project partners have contributed to shaping a more connected, functional and forward-looking biodiversity data infrastructure in Scotland. The project has now been extended as BBD+1, with an additional year’s work to focus on further development of a new Data Management System.
With the input and collaboration of a wide range of partners, between 2023-2025 the BBD project successfully:
- Developed the model for a new Scottish Biodiversity Services Consortium (SBSC), and the newly formed NBN Scotland CIC, which can assist in coordinating the future delivery of local-to-national biodiversity data services in Scotland.
- Completed the first phase of a new Data Management and Digital Services System for biodiversity data, with user-led design and agile development to meet the needs of users in Scotland.
- Helped refresh the Scottish Biodiversity Information Forum (SBIF) Recommendations (2024) and align them with the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy Delivery Plan (2024–2030), reaffirming the role of biodiversity data in national planning and conservation.
The NBN Trust is delighted to announce that funding has now been confirmed for the BBD+1 project extension, which will run until 31 March 2026. This next phase will finalise the delivery of an operational Data Management System, to support biodiversity data management and reporting by enabling secure data migration, user onboarding, and alignment with Darwin Core Archive and NBN Atlas standards.
BBD+1 will continue to work towards creating a financially diversified, sustainable, and nationally relevant system that facilitates biodiversity monitoring, reporting, and decision-making at every level.
You can access the full BBD Output Report.
If you would like to find out more about BBD+1 – please contact Christine Tansey – Partnership Officer for the BBD project.