The INBO is an independent research institute of the Flemish government that uses applied research, data and knowledge dissemination to underpin and evaluate the biodiversity policy and conservation. The INBO wants to be the number one point of contact in Flanders to offer evidence-based support for the nature policy and its implementation. It describes the condition and trends of biodiversity and ecosystem services, studies the causes of changes and develops directly applicable tools. It studies plans for the future that underpin the nature policy in the long term. Research always happens together with partners from society, science, policy and conservation.
INBO acknowledges citizen science as an approach to facilitate scientific knowledge and the democratisation of knowledge and research, to increase the social relevance and sustainable impact, and to improve the scientific foundation of the policy regarding the environment, biodiversity and climate change in Europe and worldwide. INBO has a long tradition in citizen science (e.g. nature inventory flora, fauna and habitats) and conducts various citizen science projects (monitoring of species, invasive species). INBO is also a member of ECSA.
