The transition is being led by Kelli Trei, BHL’s new Transition Director, supported by Nicole Kearney, BHL’s new Communications Director and a dedicated Transition Team composed of members of the BHL Executive Committee and Secretariat. For more information, please see our Transition Updates.
BHL is committed to transparency. In response to the Smithsonian’s decision to no longer host the administrative functions of BHL as of January 1, 2026, we will publish monthly updates on the BHL Blog as part of our #BHLTransition series. We will also share news regularly via our BlueSky and LinkedIn accounts.
A fiscal sponsor is an organization that serves as a financial or administrative home for a group or project that does not have its own independent legal status. Establishing a fiscal sponsor is a key step in securing a stable administrative home by January 1, 2026. The fiscal sponsorship agreement is flexible, allowing BHL to … Read more
Full details will be announced soon, but we can confirm that BHL Members have voted to enter into an agreement with a well-established U.S.-based nonprofit with experience supporting collaborative initiatives like BHL. The fiscal sponsor will provide administrative infrastructure while BHL retains full programmatic control. For more information, please see our Transition Updates.
No. BHL will remain a global consortium, and international participation will continue to be central to our mission. The fiscal sponsor will help facilitate global operations, not constrain them. For more information, please see our Transition Updates.
Yes, for now the BHL website will remain operational and accessible. We are working to ensure a smooth transition, with minimal disruption to services. Any planned changes (such as server moves) will be clearly communicated in advance. Over time, new infrastructure may be implemented to ensure BHL remains scalable, resilient, and sustainable. For more information, … Read more
We are currently seeking one or more institutional partners to host BHL’s technical infrastructure and support key technical staff. This will allow us to continue platform operations, develop new features, and maintain interoperability with global biodiversity data networks. For more information, please see our Transition Updates.
Visit our blog for the latest #BHLTransition Updates Follow us on Bluesky and LinkedIn Contact Kelli Trei, Transition Director, at TransitionDirector@biodiversitylibrary.org for inquiries about hosting or support For general questions, visit our Contact Us page
There are many ways to support BHL during this critical transition: Respond to our Call for Support to connect us with stakeholders, contribute ideas, or provide financial support Share our Call for Support widely across your networks Advocate for BHL within your institution or professional networks Spread the word: Share our blog updates and use … Read more
BHL is moving towards greater sustainability and increased independence. Key changes include: Appointing a Transition Director and Communications Director Forming a dedicated Transition Team Establishing a new fiscal sponsor to support financial and administrative operations Seeking new institutional hosts for core technical and operational functions Exploring new partnerships and funding models to ensure long-term stability … Read more