Georeference.it
from 01/07/2026
georeference.it is a citizen science platform dedicated to georeferencing natural history specimen records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). Volunteers help assign geographic coordinates to historical museum specimens that lack location data, making biodiversity records more useful for scientific research, conservation planning, and environmental monitoring.
Contributors can search for ungeoreferenced specimens by country, dataset, or locality description, place coordinates on an interactive map, set an uncertainty radius, and submit their georeference. The community then validates submissions through a voting system, ensuring quality and reliability. Every contribution directly improves the scientific value of biodiversity data available to researchers worldwide.
Aim
georeference.it aims to:
- Unlock biodiversity data — convert millions of ungeoreferenced natural history specimen records into scientifically usable data by assigning precise geographic coordinates
- Engage the public in science — provide a simple, accessible interface that allows anyone — students, naturalists, historians, and curious citizens — to contribute meaningfully to biodiversity research
- Ensure data quality — use a community validation system where multiple contributors review and vote on submissions, producing reliable, peer-verified georeferences
- Accelerate research — feed verified coordinates back into GBIF, the world's largest open biodiversity data infrastructure, where they are used by scientists, conservationists, and policymakers globally
How to participate
1. Browse without an account
Visit georeference.it and
explore ungeoreferenced specimens using the Georeference tool. Filter
by country, dataset, or locality description to find records relevant to
your expertise or geographic knowledge.
2. Create a free account
Registration
is free and open to all. An account allows you to submit georeferences,
vote on other contributors' submissions, and build a reputation on the
platform.
3. Research and place coordinates
Select
a specimen group, read the original locality description and associated
metadata, and use the integrated map and place search to determine the
most likely coordinates. Set an uncertainty radius that honestly
reflects the precision of your interpretation.
4. Submit and let the community validate
Your
submission enters a review queue where other contributors can agree or
disagree. Submissions that reach the validation threshold are applied to
the records and become part of the dataset.
5. Vote on existing submissions
If
a group already has a pending georeference, you can review it and cast a
vote. Experienced contributors carry more weight in the validation
system, so building a track record matters.
6. Install the browser extension
The
georeference.it extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge embeds live
platform data directly into GBIF occurrence pages. Curators and
researchers working in GBIF can instantly see whether a record has been
georeferenced or improved by the community, and jump directly to the
relevant group on the platform.
Needed equipment
A computer or laptop with a modern web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari) and an internet connection is sufficient to participate. The platform also works on tablets and cellphones, though a larger screen is recommended for map interaction.
No specialist software is required. All tools — map, place search, voting interface — are built into the platform and accessible directly in the browser.
For researchers and curators who work regularly in GBIF, the optional browser extension (Chrome, Firefox, Edge) provides deeper integration and is recommended for efficient workflows.
