State Secretary Jean Rummenie from the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality: “With the opening of the National Database of Flora and Fauna, we are realizing an important commitment from the Framework Agreement. As a cabinet, we place great value on everyone having transparent insight into nature in the Netherlands. After all, nature belongs to all of us. I am pleased that this is now possible.”
No subscription or application needed anymore
Previously, the nature data was only available to organizations that had a paid subscription to the NDFF, such as municipalities, water boards, nature management organizations, research institutes, and ecological consulting firms. These organizations use the data for research, developing and monitoring nature management and policy, in spatial planning, and for permitting. Individuals and businesses could previously only access the NDFF by submitting an application for specific data. From now on, the data on plants and animals in the NDFF is freely accessible to everyone.
Where does the data come from?
The observations in the NDFF are collected by volunteers and professionals and are shared with the NDFF by various organizations. For example, by species organizations such as the Mammal Society and the Butterfly Foundation, by Waarneming.nl, land managers, and ecological consulting firms. Governments such as municipalities and provinces also provide data. The NDFF continuously establishes new collaborations to connect sources of nature data to the database. The nature data is held in trust by the NDFF Foundation. The NDFF is managed by BIJ12. Care is taken with sensitive data, such as observations of vulnerable species and their habitats, when making the nature data public.
“The NDFF will become a powerful public service together with our partners. We are building a public database that is essential for nature management and decision-making,” said deputy Jelle Beemsterboer, speaking on behalf of the collaborating provinces.
More information
- For general information about the NDFF, visit www.ndff.nl
- Want to view and download nature data? Go to the NDFF open data gateway, the Flora & Fauna Explorer: https://florafaunaverkenner.nl
- Want to know more about the NDFFs open data policy? Visit www.ndff.nl/opendatabeleid