Betr.: a grandiose but (hopefully) practical idea

[J.W.A. Ridder-Numan]

For all of you longing for more searachable database information it is perhaps good to know that last weekend in Montreal was the first meeting of GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). 

GBIF will improve access to biodiversity data worldwide (both flora and fauna) through a kind of portal that will give universal access to information on biodiversity resources; so users will be able to search in all these databases (this will make it also a big effort for the informatics people).
At this moment already several countries became participants, as well as some organisations. Australia, Denmark, Spain and The Netherlands have offered to host the International Secretariat that will coordinate all efforts to establish a good functioning GBIF.

More information on www.gbif.org 

Jeannette Ridder-Numan

Dr. J.W.A. Ridder-Numan
Ministerie van OCenW
Onderzoeks-en Wetenschapsbeleid
Afd. Natuur, Techniek, Milieu
Postbus 25000
2700 LZ  Zoetermeer
tel.         079-3236255
fax         079-3234816
e-mail:    j.w.a.ridder at minocw.nl