2020 NORTH AMERICA REGIONAL MEETINGDavid Jennings, iDigBio Node Manager, GBIF Nodes Regional Representative North America
Carole Sinou, Canadensys Node Manager, GBIF Deputy Nodes Regional Representative North America
Abby Benson, United States Node Manager, OBIS Node Manager
David Bloom, Vertnet Node Manager
Sharon Grant, Field Museum of Natural History IPT Manager
DAY 1 - 05 MAY 2020

AGENDA● Session 1 - Today (5 May)
○ Welcome & introductions○ Protocols & norms○ Meeting objectives○ Updates from the North America region○ Updates from the GBIF Secretariat○ GBIF Global Nodes Strategy○ Regional Engagement Strategy○ Vision for the Future● Session 2 - Tomorrow (6 May)
○ Questions & Answers○ Discussion

PROTOCOLS & NORMS● Sessions are being recorded● Please keep yourself muted
when not speaking● Use Chat for questions orraise your hand via theParticipants tab● We have created a North
America Slack workspace forfurther discussion

MEETING OBJECTIVES● Bring together representatives from GBIF Nodes,
IPT installations, and other organizations/stakeholders in North America● Inspire collaboration and discussion of sharedgoals, challenges, and opportunities● Principal outcomes are updates from therepresented organizations and development ofregional strategies/goals for the coming year
○ Meeting summarized via Regional ReportUpdates from the NA Region

GBIF NETWORK – NORTH AMERICA REGION• Biodiversity Heritage Library• Canada• Canadensys• Consortium for the Barcode of Life
• Discover Life
• Encyclopedia of Life
• iDigBio• Integrated Taxomomic Information System• International Barcode of Life Consortium• Natural Science Collections Alliance• NatureServe• Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections• Specify Collections Consortium• Taxonomic Databases Working Group• United States• VertNet

https://www.gbif.org/the-gbif-network/north-america

PRE-MEETING SURVEY

17 responses
representing 9 of the
17 regional nodes,and 8 otherinstitutions

https://forms.gle/RL71LaXADgCVCxWJ8

PRE-MEETING SURVEY

Involvement within GBIF community:••••••••••

Alliance for Biodiversity Knowledge
Global Collections Catalog
GBIF webinars
Grant proposals (CESP, BID, ...)
Living Atlases Community
Data provider and user
GBIF Forum and social media
Node steering group, budget committee
Translation teamCommunity mentors

https://forms.gle/RL71LaXADgCVCxWJ8SKILLS IN THE COMMUNITY
What can you share with others within the North American biodiversity community?

https://forms.gle/RL71LaXADgCVCxWJ8SKILLS IN THE COMMUNITY

More than half of responders have skills in:
••••
•
•

Biodiversity informatics support disciplines (52.4%)
Basic concepts on biodiversity informatics (57.1%)
Biodiversity data capture (52.4%)
Biodiversity data management (66.7%)
Biodiversity data publishing (61.9%)
Community science (52.4%)

But we lack expertise in:●●

Strategic and communication planning
Biodiversity information facility (BIF) building, networking
https://forms.gle/RL71LaXADgCVCxWJ8

PRE-MEETING SURVEY

Needs from Biodiversity Community in NA:••••••••••

Collaboration and coordination
Knowledge transfer
Capacity enhancement
Commitment to a goal
Use cases
Better transparency and communication (data flows, who does what)
Tools development
Standardization of practice
Involvement in university and colleges curriculum
National and regional funding planification

https://forms.gle/RL71LaXADgCVCxWJ8

PRE-MEETING SURVEY

What should we achieve together in NA?
●●
●
●

●
●
●

●

●

Centralized data publishingTraining
Joint projects and vision
Better communication within the region and sharing tostakeholder groups
Filling the data gaps through targeted mobilization of data
Improving Darwin Core for specific fields (ex. ecology)
North American (including Mexico)/continental GIS view ofbiodiversity
Promote the value of digitized biodiversity data to
researchers and the public
Better coordination between all players
https://forms.gle/RL71LaXADgCVCxWJ8

PRE-MEETING SURVEYOPPORTUNITIES•Efficiency & experience•Relevance & recognition•Strong community support•Good publication workflow•Autonomy•Biodiversity data accessibility•Training & development•Coordination•Collaboration & integration•Local approach•Data quality improvement•Learn from other fields &communities•Broaden audience•Liberate “dark data”

HELPFUL

STRENGTHS

EXTERNAL
THREATS•Coordination•Sustainability (IT support, staffing,funding)•Lack of freedom/agility•Communication• Data quality• Integration between type of data
• Awareness & interest•Staffing (difficulty to keep IT staff)•Economical uncertainty• Cyberinfrastructure maintenance•National / global disinterest inscience•Dependence on governmental /institutional funding•Battle for leadership

HARMFULINTERNALWEAKNESSES

https://forms.gle/RL71LaXADgCVCxWJ8

Updates from the Secretariat

GBIF COMMUNITY WEBINAR● GBIF hosted a community webinar on 28 April:“Framing the 2020 virtual regional meetings”● Goal was to provide updates from the Nodes
Committee and the GBIF Secretariat asbackground for the regional meetings● Agenda, presentations, and recording:https://www.gbif.org/event/1fP9076vVBQUhjBohWJjEL/

GBIF COMMUNITY WEBINAR● Introducing the 2020 virtual regional meetings—AndréHeughebaert, Nodes Committee Chair● Updates on GBIF planning in response to the COVID-19
pandemic—Joe Miller○ GBIF 20-year Review:https://www.gbif.org/news/1QfpUlGByxjqBktiYAfyIK/● Status of plans for virtual regional meetings —MélianieRaymond● Regional statistics on GBIF data mobilization—JohnWaller● Informatics update—Federico Mendez● Update on projects and participation—Tim Hirsch

GBIF Global Nodes Strategy
2020-2021

GBIF GLOBAL NODES STRATEGY 2020-2021● Strategic objectives developed by the Nodes
Committee with support of Secretariat under
supervision of Node Steering Group (NSG)● Regional reports will show progress against thesestrategic objectives● NSG will assess progress towards these strategicobjectives at the 2021 Global Nodes meeting (GB28)● All global objectives are of equal importance, andregions are welcome to add their own objectives

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OveeJWTrJH0DmMszsNWHswPDbm4tVt3ATCpZLVUyldA

GBIF GLOBAL NODES STRATEGY 2020-2021
Nodes strategic objectives are linked to GBIF Strategic priorities:
1. Investigate Regional coordination○ Priority 1: Empower Global Network

2. Improve data relevance○ Priority 3: Fill Data Gaps
○ Priority 4: Improve Data Quality○ Priority 5: Deliver Relevant Data

3. Explore new data types○ Priority 3: Fill Data Gaps

4. Lower technical threshold○ Priority 2: Enhance Biodiversity Information Infrastructure

5. Strengthen our network○ Priority 1: Empower Global Network

6. Redefine participation○ Priority 1: Empower Global Networkhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1OveeJWTrJH0DmMszsNWHswPDbm4tVt3ATCpZLVUyldA

1. INVESTIGATE REGIONAL COORDINATION● GBIF regions rely on voluntary efforts of NodeManagers and Regional Representatives● Many regions desire investigation of more structural
coordination of Regions● Nodes are encouraged to:○ Investigate possible forms of regional coordination○ Define possible tasks under this coordination○ Assess implications in terms of governance and relation
with the Secretariat○ Identify potential alignment with other regional initiatives○ Suggest possible funding schemes○ Evaluate relevance of regional cloud-based IPTs
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OveeJWTrJH0DmMszsNWHswPDbm4tVt3ATCpZLVUyldA

2. IMPROVE DATA RELEVANCE● Some biodiversity data are more relevant to science(and therefore decision making) than others● Collections specimens and long-term monitoring
surveys are more relevant than opportunistic
unvalidated observations● Nodes are encouraged to:○ Assess users needs○ Focus activities and resources on data that matters“most” to users: complete and relevant data

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OveeJWTrJH0DmMszsNWHswPDbm4tVt3ATCpZLVUyldA

3. EXPLORE NEW DATA TYPES● Occurrences data and Checklists are central to ourdata mobilization activities● Nodes often encounter other kinds of emerging data
(e.g., sampling events, abundance data, camera traps,DNA sequences, etc.)● Publishing these new data comes with challenges asstandards and tools probably need to adapt● Nodes will report on these new data types as well as
DwC evolutions and/or extensions necessary topublish themhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1OveeJWTrJH0DmMszsNWHswPDbm4tVt3ATCpZLVUyldA

4. LOWER TECHNICAL THRESHOLD● GBIF offers wonderful tools for data publication, storage,and visualisation● Demand for light-weight solutions lowering technicalbarriers on both sides of the pipeline (data publishersand users) is a requirement we all must address● Although such new tools will be developed & maintainedby the community at large, the nodes should:○ Gather requirements○ Design mockups and prototypes of simplified
solutions of hosted portals and data repositories
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OveeJWTrJH0DmMszsNWHswPDbm4tVt3ATCpZLVUyldA

5. STRENGTHEN OUR NETWORK● All nodes have limited resources● Technical resources can be solved throughcloud-based solutions● Human resources (i.e., a skilled/stable team) are moredifficult to address● Nodes shall seek to improve their human resources:○ Ideal team = 4 FTEs per country node:■ Node Manager, IT, data manager, & scientificoutreach/ communication○ This is a combined responsibility of NodeManagers and Heads of Delegation
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OveeJWTrJH0DmMszsNWHswPDbm4tVt3ATCpZLVUyldA

6. REDEFINE PARTICIPATION● The current participation status (of countries andorganizations) does not always reflect the level ofeffort in data publication, in data use, and in support tothe community● Nodes should suggest ways to:○ Recognize and expose the value ofnational/thematic efforts beyond the formal
official/financial participation to GBIF
○ Engagement of new country/organization
participants should also be consideredhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1OveeJWTrJH0DmMszsNWHswPDbm4tVt3ATCpZLVUyldA

Regional Engagement Strategy
North America

REGIONAL ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY● Driven by feedback via pre-surveys from this year
and prior years○ Desire for better coordination, collaboration & sharing○ Desire clarity in data publishing process○ Desire joint projects & training● Regional strategy aligns with several Global Nodes
strategic objectives:○ #1 Regional Coordination○ #2 Improve Data Relevance○ #6 Redefine ParticipationREGIONAL ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY

North America Regional Engagement Goals:
1. Agree that a collaborative effort is needed, and define
best practices for participation in the North American
data-sharing community.
2. Solicit ideas for better coordination across the region,
define roles and responsibilities, and clarify thepathway for data mobilization.
3. Encourage future projects to participate in thecommunity using the outcomes from the first twogoals.

REGIONAL ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY

Regional Future Vision

Regional Goal 3

Regional Goal 2

Regional Goal 1

Ideal Outcomes:● Short-term:○ What can we do together now bymeeting, agreeing, & documenting?
● Medium-term:○ What can we do with more focusedorganisation and some funding?
● Longer-term:○ What can we do with more funding,dedicated people, and coherent
structure?

1. COLLABORATIVE EFFORT IS NEEDEDWe agree to work together to define the mostproductive pathways to achieve:● High-quality participation from individuals andinstitutions;● Clear channels for communication about regional
activities and events;● Access to high-quality resources, tools, andsupport to facilitate data-sharing and data quality
from digitization to publication across the North
American region.

1. COLLABORATIVE EFFORT IS NEEDEDWe seek to bring together our extensive knowledge
and resources as a region to:● Improve our communication with one another,● Reinforce our existing connections,● Build more effective collaborations that leverage
limited financial resources, and● Streamline the development and deployment ofservices and tools to avoid duplication of effort andpromote interoperability and sustainability ofregional efforts.

2. IDEAS FOR BETTER COORDINATION● Communication & Coordination○ Regional Slack workspace○ Quarterly regional virtual get-togethers (e.g., “happyhours”)○ North America region = all biodiversity stakeholders
including GBIF nodes, OBIS nodes, IPT instances,other initiatives○ Regional steering group or core
○ Regional Social Media, newsletter2. IDEAS FOR BETTER COORDINATION● Data Publishing/Mobilization○ Endorsement through national nodes○ Document best practices○ Regional data portal○ Shared digitization effort○ Shared publication effort, e.g., Regional IPT● Expertise & Training○ Expanded region page on GBIF
○ Expertise map○ Easy access to relevant training resources

3. FUTURE COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS● Articulate unmet or perceived community needs● Regional, collaborative strategic planning● Document regional tools, services, resources, andexpertise● Pipelines for data flow for different types ofdata/needs● Develop regional strategic plan
● Regional collaboration on funding, e.g., CESPgrants

Vision for the Future

REGIONAL STRATEGIC VISION● Work together to develop a long-term vision○ Coordinate regional efforts to provide stable andpersistent resources○ Coordinate regional efforts to identify needs/gaps○ Coordinate regional efforts to develop solutions○ Align regional efforts to achieve the objectives stated inthe global nodes strategic document

REGIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN

● Process for regional strategic planning● Steps to achieve long-term vision of a Community
Support Infrastructure● In-person regional meetings will be held in 2021

KEY TENETS● Infrastructure● Training● R&DrastInfDR&ructure

Training

COMMUNITY SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE
Leverage expertise and experience within the region tocreate something larger than the sum of our parts:Mobilization

Developmente.g., Locality Services,georeferencing calculator, data
publishing software (IPT)Standards
e.g., New data sharing/publishingprotocols, new vocabularies, newdata types/integrations

Data Qualitye.g., Data testing and validation
services, quality assessment toolse.g., Consultation services for
publication and organization,registration services, storage
solutions

Community
SupportInfrastructure

Education/Traininge.g., Workshop creation, facilitation
services, educational andprofessional reference materials

Managemente.g., Project organization, project
management, socio-technicalnetwork integration

MEETING - DAY 2● Review Regional Engagement Goals for North
America● Discuss the key pieces of a community support
structure for planning and action○ Focusing especially on communication, coordination,and collaboration moving forward● Consider practical next steps
Shared Notes Document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1W5w8yNQ62YbIOc1nd5h0_7Tb1FYBGvNzRT5EIp87ed8

Wrap-UpWRAP-UP● THANK YOU!
● Materials and resources:○ Presentation will be added to event page:https://www.gbif.org/event/5iluOArQeYT29U402zDrwi/○ GBIF overview: https://www.gbif.org/document/81771/○ Notes Doc: https://shorturl.at/zFNY7○ North America Slack: https://gbif-north-america.slack.com● Tomorrow - 6 May○ Q&A and discussion○ 09:00 Pacific / 10:00 Mountain /11:00 Central / 12:00 EasternWRAP-UP● David Jennings <djennings@flmnh.ufl.edu>; iDigBio NodeManager, GBIF Nodes Regional Representative North America● Carole Sinou <canadensys.network@gmail.com>; Canadensys
Node Manager, GBIF Deputy Nodes Regional Representative NorthAmerica● Abigail Benson <albenson@usgs.gov>; United States NodeManager, OBIS Node Manager● David Bloom <dbloom@vertnet.org>; Vertnet Node Manager● Sharon Grant <sgrant@fieldmuseum.org>; Field Museum IPTManager