Membership drive reaps rewards
Over the last few months we are delighted that the number of organisations wanting to become members of the NBN Trust has been increasing in a very positive way. This shows a real commitment to the whole ethos of sharing data and a belief in our objectives and strategy for the next 10 years.
Membership of the NBN Trust is different to being a partner in the National Biodiversity Network and brings a number of benefits. Find out more about membership
Some of the new members are the National Trust, the Royal Horticultural Society, Open University, British Trust for Ornithology, Thames Valley Enviornmental Records Centre and Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Environmental Records Centre.
National Trust
The National Trust is a charity and relies for income on membership fees, donations and legacies, and revenue raised from its commercial operations.
It has over 3.6 million members and 55,000 volunteers. More than 14 million people visit its pay for entry properties, while an estimated 50 million visit its open air properties.
It protects and opens to the public over 350 historic houses, gardens and ancient monuments.
It also looks after forests, woods, fens, beaches, farmland, downs, moorland, islands, archaeological remains, castles, nature reserves, villages – for ever, for everyone.
The National Trust has a number of datasets now available on the Gateway, with perhaps the most famous being that of Wicken Fen.
Royal Horticultural Society
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK's leading gardening charity dedicated to advancing horticulture and promoting good gardening.
Its goal is to help people share a passion for plants, to encourage excellence in horticulture and inspire all those with an interest in gardening.
The activities of the RHS are focused on delivering its strategic aims and ensuring that it delivers a real benefit to all those involved and interested in horticulture and gardening in the UK.
The Royal Horticultural Society has a number of datasets now available on the Gateway.
Open University
The Open University is a world leader in modern distance learning, the pioneer of teaching and learning methods which enable people to achieve their career and life goals studying at times and in places to suit them.
The OU was founded to open up higher education to all, regardless of their circumstances or where they live. It has students of all ages and backgrounds: school students wanting experience of university-level study, school leavers who choose to begin their careers while they study for a degree, people wanting to develop or update their skills, or change career entirely, and retired people wanting to explore new interests and keep mentally active.
The Open University, like the NBN Trust, is a partner in the OPAL project and has created iSpot as part of this project.
British Trust for Ornithology
The British Trust for Ornithology has existed since 1933 as an independent, scientific research trust, investigating the populations, movements and ecology of wild birds in the British Isles. Its speciality is the design and implementation of volunteer wild bird surveys. Its partnership between a large number of volunteers and a small scientific staff has proved to be a powerful, productive and cost-effective way of monitoring wild birds. Volunteers of all ages and from all walks of life put their bird-watching skills to good use. They record wild birds systematically using survey methods developed by its scientists, who then compile the records and analyse them for publication. This work makes a direct and vital contribution to bird conservation, by enabling both campaigners and decision-makers to set priorities and target resources. It also provides a unique insight into the state of our environment and how it may be changing.
The British Trust for Ornithology now has a number of datasets on the Gateway
Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre
Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre (TVERC) is one in a national network of Local Environmental Records Centres.
The Records Centre collects, collates and makes available information to help people make sound decisions about the natural environment in Oxfordshire and Berkshire.
TVERC has a number of datasets on the Gateway.
Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Environmental Records Centre
Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Environmental Records Centre (BMERC) collects information about the biodiversity and geology of Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes.
With help and support from recording groups, individuals, the Wildlife Trust, local authorities and many others they use this information to support nature conservation and raise public awareness.
BMERC has a number of datasets on the Gateway
More members
We will have more information on our other new members soon, so keep an eye out for more information!