Biodiversity Information Standards (TDWG)

We are a non-profit organization and a community dedicated to developing biodiversity information standards.

Historically known as the Taxonomic Databases Working Group, today’s Biodiversity Information Standards (TDWG) is a not-for-profit, scientific and educational association formed to establish international collaboration among the creators, managers and users of biodiversity information and to promote the wider and more effective dissemination and sharing of knowledge about the world’s heritage of biological organisms.

To achieve its goals, TDWG:

  • Develops, ratifies and promotes standards and guidelines for the recording and exchange of data about organisms
  • Acts as a forum for discussing all aspects of biodiversity information management through meetings, online discussions, and publications

See the About section to learn how TDWG operates and how you can participate. Active Interest Groups are described under Community.

What's on at TDWG!
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  • New: The Darwin Core Maintenance Group is beginning a public review of proposed changes to the Darwin Core Standard starting on 16 July 2026. Read more.
  • Early bird registration for TDWG 2026 has been extended until until Tuesday, 21 July 9:59am UTC-12, find out more.
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Start of Darwin Core July Public Review
July 14, 2026
Darwin Core Maintenance Group is moving to a thrice-yearly review cycle
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TDWG 2026 Update
July 09, 2026
Early bird discount has been extended.