View source for IDigBio Orientation 2021

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Join us for an orientation to iDigBio in this series of hour-long webinars, each with time for discussion following a topical presentation.

===Funding Opportunities for Scientific Collections at NSF===
''October 4, 2021, 2:00 - 3:00pm ET (see link below to register)''

This webinar will feature program directors from the National Science Foundation speaking about structural changes to collections-related funding opportunities at the agency. It is hosted by our colleagues at the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS), the Natural Science Collections Alliance (NSCA), the Biodiversity Collections Network (BCoN), the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections (SPNHC), and the United States Culture Collection Network (USCCN). You can learn more and register for this event at https://bcon.aibs.org/event/nsf-webinar.

===Welcome to iDigBio Phase 3===
''October 6, 2021, 2:00 - 3:00pm ET ([https://ufl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUkcuGqrjwqE9Vq6d8Axvi71h65wbCpkErw Click here to register])''

Welcome to Integrated Digitized Biocollections (iDigBio), the U.S. National Resource for supporting and advancing digitization of biodiversity collections. Since 2011, iDigBio has partnered with hundreds of collections to digitize and mobilize specimen-based data. iDigBio recently received funding from the National Science Foundation to continue this work for another five years. Director of iDigBio, Gil Nelson, will present an overview of our activities in this phase of funding, including an exciting addition: the Symbiota Support Hub based at Arizona State University. iDigBio Project Assistant, Alnycea Blackwell, will additionally share how you can stay in touch and get involved with us.

===Ongoing iDigBio collaborations and events===
''October 20, 2021, 2:00 - 3:00pm ET ([https://ufl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUkcuGqrjwqE9Vq6d8Axvi71h65wbCpkErw Click here to register])''

iDigBio strives to facilitate opportunities for the biodiversity collections community to share successes and collaborate on addressing challenges. We accomplish this through workshops, conferences, webinars, and coordination with similar projects. Join our Conference Manager, Jill Goodwin, and Global Communications Manager, Libby Ellwood, for an overview of these activities.

===Project management and data mobilization considerations for digitization networks===
''November 3, 2021, 2:00 - 3:00pm ET ([https://ufl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUkcuGqrjwqE9Vq6d8Axvi71h65wbCpkErw Click here to register])''

Digitization networks, such as the NSF-funded Thematic Collections Networks (TCNs), are a key stakeholder group for iDigBio, and we provide space for these networks to connect not only with us but also with each other to share and learn from each others’ experience. iDigBio Project Manager, David Jennings, and Biodiversity Informatics Coordinator, Cat Chapman, will offer suggestions for how multi-institutional networks can streamline their digitization project management, when to look to iDigBio for support, and how to get digitized biodiversity collections data mobilized.

''*** Please note that this webinar takes the place of the November [https://www.idigbio.org/content/2021-internal-advisory-committee-meetings iDigBio Internal Advisory Committee meeting] ***''

===Resources for digitizing biodiversity collections and managing the digitized data===
''November 17, 2021, 2:00 - 3:00pm ET ([https://ufl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUkcuGqrjwqE9Vq6d8Axvi71h65wbCpkErw Click here to register])''

The biodiversity collections community has a significant amount of collective experience improving the efficiency and efficacy of digitization practices and supporting the extended specimen concept. Join members of the Symbiota Support Hub team (Nico Franz, Jenn Yost, Laura Prado, Katie Pearson, Ed Gilbert) and iDigBio’s Digitization Resources Coordinator, Erica Krimmel, to learn about existing best practices and other resources for digitizing your collections.

===Increasing diversity and inclusion in biodiversity collections===
''December 1, 2021, 2:00 - 3:00pm ET ([https://ufl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUkcuGqrjwqE9Vq6d8Axvi71h65wbCpkErw Click here to register])''

iDigBio recognizes the importance of supporting the biodiversity collections community in efforts to increase diversity and inclusivity of our field. iDigBio Project Assistant, Alnycea Blackwell, and iDigBio EODI Coordinator, Molly Phillips, will highlight their recent collaborative work in this area.

===Accessing and using digitized data from biodiversity collections===
''December 15, 2021, 2:00 - 3:00pm ET ([https://ufl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUkcuGqrjwqE9Vq6d8Axvi71h65wbCpkErw Click here to register])''

In addition to its other roles, iDigBio is a biodiversity data aggregator and users can acquire digitized specimen data from hundreds of collections via the iDigBio portal. Learn from Molly Phillips (iDigBio EODI Coordinator), Ron Canepa (iDigBio Administrator / Programmer), and Makenzie Mabry (iDigBio post-doc) how digitized data from biodiversity collections are being used in research, as well as for education and outreach.