Both dataindex.us and the Data Rescue Project care deeply about the preservation and public accessibility of federal data. While much of our attention has focused on making these data assets available to the public, motivated by the threat of data loss, we might also ask: how could agencies properly
The New York Times recently published a story detailing the mishandling and misuse of genetic data from over 20,000 US Children. Scientists falsified access requests to the NIH, pretending to be located in the United States and obscuring their true aims: to use the data to make false race-based
At the end of January 2026, members of the DRP Steering Committee met in Philadelphia. Over the course of two short days, we held space to reflect on what we’ve accomplished, note where we’re stretched thin, and articulate what the next phase of DRP needs to look like.
Today's post is by Christopher Steven Marcum, an Open Science Advocate and former senior personnel at the Office of Management and Budget. On February 4, 2026, the CIA made the surprising decision to shut down the World Factbook after more than sixty years of operation. This move was
Exactly one year ago today, the Data Rescue Project was formed. While 2025 took so much from us, individually, professionally, as a nation, we will always be grateful that it brought us this community. That YOU showed up with your time and expertise, shared your knowledge and learned in return
Today's guest post is from Bobrary Bordelon about the DHS program, including some history, the importance of this work, and the news on continued data collection. With many surveys being discontinued and the staffs of many of the nation’s statistical offices being greatly reduced if not eliminated,
The Save Our Signs Project team needs your help – and soon. The Washington Post reported on Tuesday morning that sites across the country have been targeted for erasure, including Grand Canyon, Glacier, Big Bend, and Zion. Save Our Signs needs your help to document these educational materials before they disappear:
Today's guest post is from Tessera Strategies, in which they describe a recent development in evaluating the sustainability and responsiveness of data repositories during a crisis moment. If you manage a repository, consider participating in this important work. It was 2am early one morning in late January 2025
News
NPS signs and interpretive panels are now being removed from parks.
Preserving public data
We are observing a bittersweet anniversary next week. From a positive angle, DRP has been part of an incredible community of public data advocates and volunteers. We are thankful for all of the wonderful people. But of course, "We should not be doing this," as Jessica Mahr of
As we approach the end of the first year of the Data Rescue Project, the DRP Steering Committee is hosting an Ask Me Anything (AMA). Join us on our Bluesky January 30, from 6-8pm Eastern where we’ll answer any questions you may have! Curious about the history of data
Today, we have the seventh post in the series to help diverse audiences understand and support the federal statistical system. This post is from Barry Johnson, and provides an overview of different sources of federal data. Check out their first post in the series on the uses of public data
Welcome to 2026 data rescuers! We missed you. We are back in full swing after a refreshing break. 2026 has undoubtedly been more lion than lamb, but we are ready and ... roaring. We have a few updates for this month: * Office hours * We will hold some office hours after work
According to the CDC, “The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is the nation’s premier system of health-related telephone surveys that collect state data about U.S. residents regarding their health-related risk behaviors, chronic health conditions, and use of preventive services.” The BRFSS collects data about topics like alcohol
On December 17, we learned from news reports that the Trump administration planned to dismantle the National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). In response the Union of Concerned Scientists released a statement and a call for action. In addition, multiple organizations, including the Data Rescue Project, signed
“Plants and animals don’t fight the winter; they don’t pretend it’s not happening and attempt to carry on living the same lives that they lived in the summer. They prepare. They adapt. They perform extraordinary acts of metamorphosis to get them through.” - Katherine May, Wintering: The
Today, we have the sixth post in the series to help diverse audiences understand and support the federal statistical system. This post is from Barry Johnson, and provides an overview of different sources of federal data. Check out their first post in the series on the uses of public data
The following post was written by Frank Donnelly, the Head of GIS and Data Services at the Brown University Library and one of our DRP rescuers! The Data Rescue Project is pleased to announce that we have archived all of the data layers from the defunct HIFLD Open GIS repository
Last month, we were alerted to further notices of discontinued tables at the Bureau of Economic Analysis (part of the Department of Commerce), which added to a substantial amount of discontinued statistical products from this year. It is important for us to note that in normal times, tables are discontinued
Happy Holidays lovely rescuers! We have a few updates this month. * We are adjusting our office hours timing especially as we head into winter break. The last office hour time of 2025 is December 17 at 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm. After that we will come back in
Today, we have the fifth post in the series from Claire McKay Bowen and Aaron R. Williams to help diverse audiences understand and support the federal statistical system. Everyone living in the United States is part of this vast statistical ecosystem and benefits from it—both directly and indirectly. Check
