GEO BON is proud to announce the endorsement of Move BON, a new thematic Biodiversity Observation Network dedicated to integrating animal movement data into biodiversity monitoring and conservation policy at national and global scales. Move BON was co-developed through the joint coordination of the Smithsonian Institution and WILDLABS at World Wildlife Fund, together with the Max Planck Institute for Animal Behavior, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Center—reflecting a collective commitment to advancing animal movement data for biodiversity monitoring and policy impact.
The launch of Move BON comes at a critical time. From migrating birds and whales to pollinators and seed dispersers, movement underpins ecosystem connectivity, resilience, and biodiversity. Tracking how and when animals move reveals critical insights into ecosystem health, habitat changes, the spread of invasive species, and even the dynamics of emerging diseases. Despite decades of advances in tracking technologies and ecological research, movement data remain fragmented and underutilized in national and global biodiversity monitoring, reporting, and policy.
Move BON seeks to change this by:
- Enhancing science-policy integration: Promoting a shared understanding of the science-policy pipeline for movement data across aerial, aquatic, and terrestrial ecosystems.
- Coordinating with existing initiatives: Collaboratively pursuing opportunities to close identified gaps in the information pipeline for movement data.
- Deriving actionable insights for policymakers: Developing meaningful indices that explicitly link changes in animal movement with biodiversity outcomes at national and global scales.
- Operationalizing solutions: Fostering relationships with signatory countries to develop frameworks, build capacity, and create national-level case studies that demonstrate the value of incorporating movement-derived insights into decision-making processes.
- Promoting ethical, open, and inclusive data practices: Ensuring data governance follows FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) and CARE (Collective Benefit, Authority to Control, Responsibility, Ethics) principles, with safeguards for sensitive species and community rights.
The establishment of Move BON has been made possible through generous funding support from the Smithsonian Institution’s Life on a Sustainable Planet initiative and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. It also reflects the collective vision and dedication of more than 80 individuals who have already shaped and energized the Move BON community. Their time and expertise have been instrumental in building a network that recognizes movement ecology as central to biodiversity science and policy.
Next steps
Move BON will host its first public events during the Living Data 2025 conference in Bogotá, Colombia (21-24 October 2025). A launch event will take place on 22 October at 6:30 PM in the Grand Ballroom, followed by a co-hosted session on 23 October with Marine BON and Freshwater BON, focused on integrating animal movement data into global conservation frameworks.
Move BON adds a critical dimension to GEO BON’s mission of building a globally connected, interoperable biodiversity observation system, and we’re excited to see it develop.
To stay informed and get involved in Move BON opportunities, visit the Move BON web page and subscribe to the group’s mailing list in your GEO BON profile.
Stay tuned for more information on the Move BON Discourse.
