The overall purpose of this guide is to:

• make local governments aware of the benefits to them of being able to access biodiversity data via the GBIF network, and the important role they can play as contributors of primary biodiversity data to the GBIF network through regional, national, and global databases and information systems;
• describe how local governments, and their consultants, can use the tools, practices and infrastructures that are available through the GBIF network to discover, capture and publish primary biodiversity data to common standards;
• explain how use of these tools can be incorporated into planning, policy development and decision-making processes within local governments, to improve biodiversity management and strengthen environmental sustainability across all core functions.

THIS DOCUMENT IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC REVIEW TILL THE 6th JANUARY 2012.

Please add your comments to this Community Site item, or send them to vchavan@gbif.org.