FörTax and the Future of Biodiversity Literacy: Insights and Impacts of Species Knowlegde Training and Networks

In the face of accelerating biodiversity loss, the ability to identify and understand species is a key competence for conservation, research, environmental management, and public engagement. The FörTax project addresses the growing shortage of taxonomic expertise by systematically promoting species knowledge and its transfer across society through education and networking in Germany. FörTax combines the strengths of the LIB – Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, the natural society DELATTINIA/SAKA, and the Biology Education Department at the University of Bonn.

A core achievement of FörTax is the development of a nationwide, comprehensive database of species-knowledge learning opportunities, integrating all relevant institutions, projects, and training formats (www.data.foertax.de). This unique resource provides an overview of taxonomic education in Germany and serves as a central tool for researchers, practitioners, educators, and learners seeking biodiversity-related training.

FörTax also implements a broad range of participatory youth programmes engaging children and adolescents across age groups. The biology education team offers mentor-training formats such as the Dragon Workshop, as well as low-threshold entry programmes for beginners, including the Heupferdchen initiative - not solely developed for FörTax but tested herein. DELATTINIA/SAKA complements this with courses on 22 species groups across multiple proficiency levels, supporting learners throughout their taxonomic development. All educational programmes are accompanied and evaluated by the biology didactics team.

Networking and collaboration are key strengths of FörTax. The project works closely with the Red List Centre, BANU, NABU, and numerous other stakeholders in research, conservation, and public education. Its efforts led to three national conferences, which together welcomed over 1,600 participants, highlighting the strong and growing demand for species knowledge and exchange.

By combining educational innovation, participatory learning, institutional collaboration, and open access to resources, FörTax establishes a robust framework for advancing biodiversity literacy in the future. The project demonstrates how building species knowledge empowers individuals and communities, strengthens conservation practice, and supports a more informed and effective response to the biodiversity crisis.