The Archbold Web site, first published in early 1997, developed rapidly into an important and necessary way to convey Station/Ranch information to staff, the scientific community, regional land managers and conservationists, teachers and students, and the general public. Individual pages from the Web site can be viewed and printed at the user’s desk, thus delivering specific information instantly and saving production and postage costs.

History. The first edition of Archbold’s Web site, "Welcome to Archbold Biological Station," published on 26 May 1997, was a brief overview (20 pages). The site was static until the second, completely new edition (40 pages) was published 27-28 October 1998. This edition was based in part (20 pages) on the Station Booklet (1992) but with much new material or revisions of existing Archbold documents. Late 1998 additions included the Biennial Report 1995-96 (35 pages) and 30 new pages (with many staff pages), bringing the 1998 total to 107 pages. The growth rate during 1999-00 never slowed.

During 1999-00, 475 pages were added to the Web site including several major science and environmental education projects (see sidebar) completed by a local Web developer with support from Elizabeth Ordway Dunn Foundation and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Also added were many pages of Archbold visitor information, Station/Ranch species lists, the Station’s scientific bibliography (a searchable ProCite® database of over 1200 citations), Library serials holdings, the Station’s nature trail brochure, Biennial Report 1997-98, revised/expanded internship and education pages, and a Web-site search engine. A Web-site chronicle, "What’s new at this site," details daily progress since late 1999.

One major thrust for the Web site includes providing information about Archbold facilities (see <http://archbold-station.org/abs/education/visitclass.htm>) and Archbold ecology and biota for visiting scientists and college classes (see <http://archbold-station.org/abs/archbold/archecolsett.htm>). These visitors can read this information prior to their arrival and come to Archbold with a better understanding of the facilities and regional ecology, and conduct their research and learning with better efficiency. A hidden benefit of the growing body of Archbold information on the Web site is the utility for Archbold staff; the Web site is a substitute for the file cabinet. Future Web-site projects include 1) access to all the Station’s climatological data, 2) a visitor application form, 3) a catalog of research projects, and 4) developing an electronic catalog of the library’s holdings.