Biodiversity & Development Institute

The Biodiversity and Development Institute (BDI) is a South African non-profit organisation that connects people with science and nature. Its mission is to help people engage with the natural environment and use scientific research to support social development and nature conservation. BDI works with citizens, communities, landowners, researchers, students and bird ringers, offering ways to participate in biodiversity research and conservation.

The institute’s activities include bird ringing, biodiversity observations, citizen science, research training and specialist consulting in science and ecology. Its projects cover a range of species and groups, including birds, frogs and toads, dragonflies and damselflies, butterflies and moths, and African Neuroptera and Megaloptera. BDI also supports BioMAPping, biodiversity projects and research internships, and provides students with assistance in study design, statistics and editing. Bird ringers can contribute their skills to research projects and gain experience with South African birdlife. Through public events, research initiatives and opportunities to share observations, BDI makes biodiversity research accessible and encourages practical participation in conservation.