Data as a Public Good for Nature and Society
– the next 10 years
To mark the 20th anniversary of the National Biodiversity Data Centre, a Stakeholder Forum took place on November 11-12. One of the aims of the event was to identify the opportunities and key challenges for biodiversity data management in the coming years. Christopher O’Sullivan TD, Minister for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, opened the event.
Over two days, delegates heard from representatives of a range of national and international organisations, showcasing successful data-driven projects, innovation and practical experience in biodiversity data management.
Day one focused on how biodiversity data are being managed and used to support conservation, with perspectives from Ireland and beyond. Our keynote speaker, Arild Lingaard, Head of Geodata and Biodiversity at the Norwegian Biodiversity Information Centre, shared insights into Norway’s approach to biodiversity data management.
Day two took a more forward-looking approach, considering emerging opportunities and what is required to meet Ireland’s biodiversity data needs over the next 10 years. Keynote speakers, Ian Davies, eBird International Strategy Lead at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and Dylan Verheul, Co-founder & Managing Director at Observation.org, explored the future of biodiversity data collection and management.
There was also a special screening of a video to celebrate 20 years of Citizen Science in Ireland.
The Forum also include facilitated discussions and breakout sessions, providing the opportunity to share insights, experiences and ideas on how biodiversity data management can best respond to future needs. This will help us to identify national priorities for biodiversity data that can help strengthen our collective efforts, encourage greater collaboration, and support better data-driven action for the conservation of biodiversity in Ireland.
Watch videos of presentations:
Keynote: Norway’s approach to biodiversity data management
– Arild Lingaard, Head of Geodata and Biodiversity at Artsdatabanken, the Norwegian Biodiversity Information Centre.
20 years of biodiversity data management: a public good for nature and society
– Dr Liam Lysaght, CEO, National Biodiversity Data Centre
Keynote: Recording the birds of the world: eBird/Merlin app
– Ian Davies, eBird International Strategy Lead at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Keynote: Observation.org: a global leader in Biodiversity Citizen Science
– Dylan Verheul, Co-founder & Managing Director at Observation.org
Ministerial Address
– Christopher O’Sullivan TD, Minister for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity
IWeBs: How the data is used
– Helen Boland, BirdWatch Ireland
Plant Atlas 2020: Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland
– Robert Northridge, BSBI
Conserving the Lesser Horseshoe Bat
– Dr Kate McAney
Reporting on Ireland’s Invasive Species
– Colette O’Flynn, National Biodiversity Data Centre
Identifying County Biodiversity Areas
– Catherine Casey, The Heritage Council
Ecological Sensitivity Assessment of Marine Protected Areas
– Prof. Louise Allcock, University of Galway
From Data to Action: the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan
– Dr Úna FitzPatrick, National Biodiversity Data Centre
Biodiversity Data: the next 10 years
– Dr Úna FitzPatrick, National Biodiversity Data Centre
Ireland’s Nature Restoration Plan
– Dr Rebecca Jeffrey, National Parks and Wildlife Service
State of Knowledge of Ireland’s Biodiversity 2025
– John Brophy, BEC Consultants
Dragonfly Ireland: The value of Atlases & Red Lists
– Dave Wall, National Biodiversity Data Centre
Ireland’s Global Biodiversity Information Facility Node
– Dr Michelle Judge, National Biodiversity Data Centre
Introducing new systems/applications developed by the National Biodiversity Data Centre – Jon Hawkins, National Biodiversity Data Centre
VIDEO CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF CITIZEN SCIENCE