Conservation Online database is saved

American Institute for Conservation to take it over after Stanford University could no longer afford to run it

By Robert Curran | Web only
Published online 5 Aug 09 (Conservation)

London. The American Institute for Conservation has announced that it will host Conservation Online (CoOL) after Stanford University was forced to relinquish responsibility for the database due to economic pressures.

CoOL has proven to be a useful resource for conservation professionals and the institute’s decision to sustain the database has been met with great relief from the conservation community. The forum is used by nearly 10,000 conservators in more than 90 countries and is most valued for the open discussions that occur in its “DistList” section. The institute has recognised the need for a brisk and seamless transition and hopes to return the DistList to full operation as soon as possible. According to the institute: “Our goal is to keep CoOL and the DistList safe, viable, objective and accessible for the conservation community worldwide.”

The California university hosted CoOL for 22 years, since its conception in 1987. It stated that it is with “deep regret” that it is no longer able to support the database and that it would continue to do so “were the world in just a little better shape than it is now”.