We conducted a short online orientation session on the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)! This two-hour workshop, held on December 14, 2023 with 16 participants, aimed to equip our team and partners with the knowledge and skills to engage with this crucial platform for open biodiversity data.

Led by the insightful Lily Shrestha from the Asia Regional Support Team at GBIF, the session delved into the world of open data and its importance for biodiversity conservation. Participants from NCSC, faculties, and students from Central Campus of Technology (Dharan), Degree Campus (Biratnagar), and Mahendra Morang Campus (Biratnagar) gained valuable insights into:

• Understanding GBIF: Its role in making biodiversity data accessible and its impact on research and conservation efforts.
• Open data and its benefits: The power of transparency and collaboration in tackling biodiversity challenges.
• Becoming a data publisher: The process of contributing data to GBIF and sharing valuable knowledge with the global community.
• Uploading data: Practical steps on preparing and submitting data to GBIF, ensuring its accuracy and discoverability.

The interactive session fostered a lively discussion, with participants actively asking questions and sharing their perspectives on open data and its potential for conservation in our region.

Outcomes and Next Steps:

This orientation marks a significant step for NCSC in promoting open biodiversity data practices. We are confident that the knowledge gained will empower our team and partners to:

• Contribute valuable biodiversity data to GBIF, enriching the global knowledge base.
• Utilize GBIF data for research, education, and conservation initiatives.
• Advocate for open data principles within the scientific community.

NCSC remains committed to facilitating knowledge sharing and collaboration in biodiversity conservation and is already a GBIF publisher. We plan to build upon this initial session by offering further training workshops, supporting data publishing efforts, and actively engaging with the GBIF community.

This is just the beginning of our journey towards a more open and accessible future for biodiversity data. We believe that by working together, we can create a world where knowledge empowers informed decision-making and leads to effective conservation action.