We are pleased to join with Icon and IIC to endorse the
Linked Conservation Data Policy Template and Primer.
Open access to shared data is a key underpinning of digital scholarship in the humanities and sciences, and the rich data produced by conservators and conservation scientists could be aggregated and analyzed to shed light on previously unanswered questions. Data that is locally controlled but widely accessible is called “linked data.”
In order for linked data to be successful, institutions should follow some basic best practices in policy and technical considerations. This policy template and primer were produced by the
Linked Conservation Data Project, and they outline how an organization undertaking conservation work can distribute the resulting records for reuse by relevant audiences. They also provide a template for establishing institutional data sharing and accessibility policies.
We encourage collecting institutions and conservation practices to consider best practices in capturing conservation and environmental data, sharing it internally, and planning for open sharing in the future. We are committed to providing opportunities for our members and other stakeholders to learn more about linked conservation data as policies, practices, and technology evolve.