diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index b177184a..c9a9f729 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ bin/**
 config/environments/*
 !config/environments/development.rb.sample
 !config/environments/config.rb.sample
+!config/environments/biodiv-denbi-config.rb.sample
 
 #ignore capistrano deployment
 config/deploy/*
diff --git a/config/environments/biodiv-denbi-config.rb.sample b/config/environments/biodiv-denbi-config.rb.sample
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..142ed7c6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/config/environments/biodiv-denbi-config.rb.sample
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+# coding: utf-8
+
+$CLOUD_PROVIDER = ''
+
+# ----------------------------------------------------------------------
+# OntoPortal Customization
+
+
+$HOSTNAME = $UI_HOSTNAME = "biodivportal.gfbio.dev"
+$REST_HOSTNAME = "data.#{$HOSTNAME}"
+$REST_PORT = nil
+$REST_URL_PREFIX = "https://#{[$REST_HOSTNAME, $REST_PORT].compact.join(':')}/"
+
+# Organization info
+#$ORG = 'NCBO'
+#$ORG_URL = 'http://ontoportal.org'
+
+# Site name (required)
+$SITE = 'BiodivPortal'
+
+# Unique string representing the UI's id for use with the BioPortal Core
+# This api key is automatically generated on first boot and updated here
+$API_KEY = ""
+
+# REST core service address
+#$REST_URL = "http://#{$REST_HOSTNAME}:#{$REST_PORT}"
+
+# Help page, launched from Support -> Help menu item in top navigation bar.
+#$WIKI_HELP_PAGE = 'https://www.bioontology.org/wiki/index.php/BioPortal_Help'
+
+# Google Analytics ID (optional)
+#$ANALYTICS_ID = ''
+
+# Announcements mailman mailing list REQUEST address, EX: list-request@lists.example.org
+# NOTE: You must use the REQUEST address for the mailing list. ONLY WORKS WITH MAILMAN LISTS.
+#$ANNOUNCE_LIST = 'appliance-users-request@example.org'
+
+# Email addresses used for sending notifications (errors, feedback, support)
+#$SUPPORT_EMAIL = 'support@example.org'
+#$ADMIN_EMAIL = 'admin@example.org'
+#$ERROR_EMAIL = 'errors@example.org'
+
+# reCAPTCHA
+# In order to use reCAPTCHA on the user account creation page:
+#    1. Obtain a key from reCAPTCHA: http://recaptcha.net
+#    2. Include the corresponding keys below (between the single quotes)
+#    3. Set the USE_RECAPTCHA option to 'true'
+#ENV['USE_RECAPTCHA'] = 'false'
+#ENV['RECAPTCHA_PUBLIC_KEY']  = ''
+#ENV['RECAPTCHA_PRIVATE_KEY'] = ''
+