Conservatoire botanique national de Franche-Comté – Observatoire régional des Invertébrés

What Conservatoire botanique national de Franche-Comté – Observatoire régional des Invertébrés does

The Conservatoire botanique national de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté – Observatoire régional des Invertébrés (CBNBFC-ORI) is a French state-recognised non-profit association (loi 1901) headquartered in Besançon, operating as one of France's official Conservatoires botaniques nationaux. Founded in 2002 and operating with a staff of approximately 19, the organisation performs systematic inventory, monitoring, and conservation of vascular plants, bryophytes, fungi, vegetation types, and invertebrate fauna (butterflies, dragonflies, orthopterans, molluscs, and others) across the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region. Its core technology platform is the LOBELIA biodiversity information system — a shared database across several French botanical conservatories handling taxonomic observation data with a scientific validation workflow by taxonomic referents — supported by its predecessor TAXA web-form platform for field data entry, integration with the Sigogne regional SINP portal, the national SIFLORE flora atlas, and the CarHab predictive habitat-mapping programme. Distribution is visualised through public-facing species databases and commune/5×5 km prospection-pressure maps.

The organisation operates a community-led, event-driven go-to-market model. Its primary 'customers' are volunteer naturalists and amateur scientists organised through partner networks (notably SBFC with ~120 active members and OPIE FC for entomology), alongside public institutional partners — Ministère de la Transition écologique, DREAL Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Conseil régional de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, OFB, and Grand Besançon Métropole. Monetisation is almost exclusively through institutional subsidies, government grants, regional council funding, and EU FEDER support; no commercial revenue streams are described. A symbolic subscription channel exists via SBFC membership (€20/year individual, €25/year couple) tied to postal distribution of the peer-reviewed scientific journal Les Nouvelles Archives de la Flore jurassienne. A donations / mécénat pathway was introduced on the public website. Distribution relies on the cbnbfc-ori.fr digital hub, a newsletter, organic social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram), public events, citizen-science surveys, and a partnership with regional agricultural press (La Terre de Chez Nous / Le Jura Agricole).

Name

Conservatoire botanique national de Franche-Comté – Observatoire régional des Invertébrés

Legal name

Conservatoire botanique national de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté – Observatoire régional des Invertébrés

Website

https://cbnfc-ori.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Conservatoire botanique national de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté – Observatoire régional des Invertébrés (CBNBFC-ORI) is a French state-recognised non-profit conservatory performing systematic inventory and conservation of flora, vegetation, fungi, and invertebrates across the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, serving public institutions, land managers, and volunteer naturalists through validated databases, scientific publications, and citizen-science programmes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biodiversity Conservation Research

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB), Biodiversity Baseline Studies & Long-Term Monitoring Programs (EUAHAHAE), Ecological/Habitat & Land-Use Change Modeling (Biodiversity, Conservation Planning) (EUAHAKAI)

Keywords

• Biodiversity conservation research
• Botanical species inventory
• Invertebrate observatory services
• Habitat mapping programs
• Citizen science surveys

Headquarters

HQ city

Besançon

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Public institutional funding and subsidies: As a Conservatoire botanique national, the organisation operates as a non-profit association (SIRET 944 162 635 0014, APE 8412Z) funded primarily through government grants, institutional subsidies, and regional council support. No commercial revenue streams are described.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The CBNBFC-ORI conducts scientific inventory, validation, and conservation of flora, fungi, vegetation, habitats, and invertebrates across the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, delivering validated biodiversity data through the LOBELIA database and TAXA platform, distributing species distribution maps and identification tools, producing peer-reviewed publications and regional atlases, and coordinating multi-year conservation programs such as regional action plans for butterflies and dragonflies and the Les Méconnus de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté programme. The organisation also operates a citizen-science ecosystem through volunteer networks (SBFC and OPIE FC) and provides consulting-grade expertise to public authorities on land-use planning and species protection.

Product overview

The Conservatoire botanique national de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté – Observatoire régional des Invertébrés (CBNBFC-ORI) operates as a biodiversity research and conservation organization covering three core domains: botanical species (flora, bryophytes, fungi, invasive exotics), entomology/invertebrates (butterflies, dragonflies, orthopterans, molluscs, and other insects), and phytosociology/habitats. Its technology platform consists of two interconnected data systems: LOBELIA (the primary biodiversity information system shared across multiple French botanical conservatories, adopted in late 2024) and its predecessor TAXA, both handling naturalist observation data entry, scientific validation, and species distribution mapping. CBNBFC-ORI provides public-facing tools including species databases and distribution maps (by commune and 5×5 km grid), prospection pressure maps, identification keys, and online data-entry forms. It also produces scientific publications including the peer-reviewed journal Les Nouvelles Archives de la Flore jurassienne, regional atlases, and technical guides. The organization coordinates several multi-year scientific programs including Les Méconnus de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (studying lesser-known taxonomic groups) and CarHab (national habitat cartography).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• LOBELIA Biodiversity Information System Centralised biodiversity information system shared among multiple French national botanical conservatories for storing, validating, and managing naturalist observation data on flora, fungi, vegetations, and habitats, with a scientific validation workflow by taxonomic referents. The Conservatoire adopted LOBELIA in late 2024, transferring its data from the prior TAXA database.
• Inventaire des végétations de Franche-Comté (Catalogue des végétations) Reference catalog of all vegetation units (syntaxons) recognized for the Franche-Comté region, hierarchically organized according to phytosociological classification across 50 classes. Published in Excel spreadsheet format with regular updates for use by scientists, land managers, and conservation planners.
• Les Nouvelles Archives de la Flore jurassienne et du Nord-Est de la France Peer-reviewed botanical scientific journal covering vascular plants, bryophytes, lichens, charophytes, phytosociology, bryosociology, and the history of regional botany. Co-published by SBFC and the Conservatoire for national and international specialist contributors, with annual subscription available through SBFC membership.
• CarHab – Predictive Mapping of Natural Habitats National program for predictive mapping of terrestrial natural and semi-natural habitats at 1:25,000 scale, deployed by the Conservatoire in the Doubs and Jura departments to provide land-use planning tools.
• Les Méconnus de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Programme Multi-year scientific programme studying lesser-known taxonomic groups in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region. Volet 1 (2023–2025) produced atlases for molluscs, bryophytes, fungi, and orthopterans; Volet 2 (2026–2028) expands to 9 groups including spiders, night butterflies, beetles, bugs, lichens, and charophytes.
• SIFLORE – Atlas de la flore de France National online atlas of French flora, accessible via a link on the Conservatoire's documentation page, allowing consultation of flora distribution across metropolitan France.
• Regional Action Plans (PRA) – Butterflies and Dragonflies Regional action plans coordinated by the Conservatoire for the protection of butterflies (Rhopalocères) and dragonflies (Odonates), including species reintroduction programmes (e.g., Fadet des tourbières), habitat conservation, and farmer practice adaptation.
• Liste rouge des papillons de jour et zygènes de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (2026) Regional red list synthesizing the conservation status of butterflies (Rhopalocères) and burnet moths (Zygènes) in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, published in April 2026.
• 4 Regional Atlases – Molluscs, Bryophytes, Fungi, Orthopterans Four new regional atlases covering molluscs, bryophytes (mosses), fungi, and orthopterans of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, published in December 2025 as part of the first phase of the 'Les Méconnus de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté' scientific programme.

Quantifiable outcome

• 71,723+ orthoptera observations recorded by March 2019, more than doubling data available at the 2014 atlas publication
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Société botanique de Franche-Comté (SBFC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric principal partner of CBNBFC-ORI in botanical research. SBFC gathers approximately 120 volunteer members who actively contribute to botanical inventories and monitoring. It co-publishes the scientific journal Les Nouvelles Archives de la Flore jurassienne and organises joint field trips, workshops, and the botanical programme of outings with the Conservatoire.
• Office pour les Insectes et leur Environnement de Franche-Comté (OPIE FC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrincipal volunteer entomology network in Franche-Comté, gathering many insect and invertebrate enthusiasts who collaborate with CBNBFC-ORI on invertebrate knowledge and monitoring programmes. Joint activities include training sessions, participatory surveys, and the entomological component of Les Méconnus de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté.
• Sigogne (Plateforme biodiversité de Franche-Comté)coreTechnology or IntegrationRegional biodiversity information portal for Franche-Comté. CBNBFC-ORI adheres to Sigogne's partnership charter and transmits all LOBELIA naturalist data to Sigogne, which also serves as the regional SINP (Système d'information sur la Nature et les Paysages) platform.
• Conservatoire botanique national du Bassin parisien (CBNBP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBNBP is a key partner in joint species action plans, such as the PNA 2026-2030 for four saxifrage species. Both institutions collaborate on national biodiversity inventory programmes and share data through the CBN network.
• Société d'Histoire naturelle d'Autun - OFABminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the 'Méconnus de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté' scientific programme, contributing expertise on less-studied taxonomic groups across the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region alongside CBNBFC-ORI and CBNBP.
• Université de Franche-Comté (Laboratoire Chrono-environnement)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research laboratory with which CBNBFC-ORI co-organised the 'Rencontres Diversité, conservation et gestion des Pelouses de Franche-Comté' scientific event, linking Conservatoire field data with university research capacity.
• La Terre de Chez Nous / Le Jura Agricole et RuralminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional agricultural press partnership producing monthly biodiversity articles. CBNBFC-ORI contributes editorial content on botanical and entomological topics to reach the farming community and raise awareness of Conservatoire activities.
• Grand Besançon MétropoleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMetropolitan authority for which CBNBFC-ORI developed biodiversity content for hiking trails including the Via Francigena, enriching recreational routes with botanical and natural heritage interpretation.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): International open-data infrastructure aggregating biodiversity occurrence records. GBIF is an enabling peer rather than a competitor, but shares the mission of mobilising validated biodiversity data for science and policy.

Broad incumbents

• Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN): France's premier natural history research institution operating botanical gardens, herbaria and scientific programmes. MNHN shares the conservation and taxonomic expertise mission and publishes comparable scientific outputs.
• Natural History Museum, London: Internationally recognised natural history research institution with comparable biodiversity data, taxonomy and citizen-science programmes. Useful as a benchmark for how a research-led natural history organisation operates at scale.
• UICN France: French committee of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. UICN France coordinates Red List assessments and conservation advocacy with overlapping subject matter (species status, habitat conservation).
• Office français de la biodiversité (OFB): National public agency supporting biodiversity policy, habitat protection and species monitoring. OFB is both a partner and a much larger funder, with overlapping mandates in inventory work and conservation action plans.
• Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux (LPO): Major French conservation NGO running citizen-science bird and biodiversity monitoring at national scale. LPO shares the volunteer-driven data collection model and engagement with regional conservation policy.

Direct peers

• Société botanique de France (SBF): National scientific society publishing botanical research and supporting amateur and professional botanists. SBF is the national analogue of the SBFC partner that co-publishes CBNBFC-ORI's journal.
• Conservatoire botanique national du Bassin parisien (CBNBP): Fellow state-recognised Conservatoire botanique national with identical public-service mandate. CBNBP was the partner that merged into CBNBFC-ORI in January 2026 and collaborates on national species action plans (e.g., PNA 2026-2030 for saxifrages), making it the most direct operational and governance peer.
• Fédération des Conservatoires botaniques nationaux (FCBN): National federation coordinating the 11 CBNs in France. FCBN sets shared standards (e.g., LOBELIA platform governance, charter methodology) and represents CBNs with national authorities, making it the closest institutional peer at network level.
• Office pour les Insectes et leur Environnement (OPIE): National network dedicated to entomology that includes the regional OPIE FC, a core partner of CBNBFC-ORI. OPIE operates parallel citizen-science programmes, training and publications on insects and invertebrates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cbnbfcori
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/conservatoire-botanique-national-de-franche-comt%C3%A9-%E2%80%93-observatoire-r%C3%A9gional-des-invert%C3%A9br%C3%A9s
• Instagraminstagram.com/cbnbfc.ori

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Conservatoire botanique national de Franche-Comté – Observatoire régional des Invertébrés