Ownership and Sharing

Ownership

For species data the original recorder always retains ownership/copyright of their own biological records and can ask anyone to remove them from their databases at any time. Usually the custodian is the person/organisation who first receives the record from the recorder.

Many local recording groups, conservation organisations and national schemes have their own datasets and wish to retain the ownership of their records and make them public. In these instances CBDC and the data owners enter into a Data Exchange Agreement that sets out how the information can be shared and used.

Please contact us if you have a further enquiry about record and data ownership.

Sharing Data and Privacy

CBDC is the custodian of much of the data it holds.  Anyone can contact CBDC for data.

Species records may be used by:

  • CBDC partner organisations
  • National and local recording schemes and societies
  • Naturalists interested in species distribution and occurrences.

The data will include the recorders name.  No contact details will be shared.  If there is an enquiry about your record CBDC will contact you if necessary.

Species records may be shared with:

  • Those in education including anyone carrying out an undergraduate projects
  • Researchers
  • CBDC Partners, ie local authorities
  • Ecologists and consultants as part of the planning and development process.

In this case data shared will not include the recorders name.  If the enquirer wants further information CBDC will contact you directly if necessary.

The following data is shared with the National Biodiversity Network Trust and is published on the NBN Atlas:

  • Cumbria Non Native Invasive Species
  • Tullie House Museum Natural History Collections
  • Wildwatch North Pennines AONB project records for Cumbria 2012-2015

This data is made public on the National Biodiversity Network (NBN) Atlas at the full geospatial resolution along with the name of the recorder.

If you wish your record(s) to be removed or anonymised please contact CBDC.

Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre

The Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre at Tullie House Museum, Carlisle keeps wildlife information for the county of Cumbria. Tullie House Museum, in its role as a local natural history museum, has collected and disseminated records of wildlife in Cumbria since its inception in 1893. From the early 1990s the Museum has developed a computerised database of species and habitat records in Cumbria and has taken the central role in providing a local biodiversity data service for the county. This role was restyled as Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre (CBDC) in 2010, a not-for-profit organisation hosted by Tullie House Museum and advised by local stakeholders.
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreFriday, September 11th, 2026 at 12:56am
Ever wondered who works at @CBDC and what they do? Over the next few months, we'll feature a different team member each month and find out a little more about their role. So watch out in October for the first profile.....

We asked a well-known AI chatbot to create a cartoon of the CBDC team and it developed this image. Find out what it got right and what it got wrong in the coming months.
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreWednesday, September 9th, 2026 at 1:06am
Biological recording in the autumn months sees a shift from recording flowering plants and summer migrant birds to fungi and winter migrant birds. Look out for the different fungal fruiting bodies that are appearing widely across different habitats at the moment - this year is already looking very promising for fungal forays.
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreTuesday, July 7th, 2026 at 5:30am
Thank you to everyone who took part in #CumbriaWildWatch 2026!

We've just looked at the records received so far (and there are more coming in!) and it looks like the best year so far with more people taking part in helping to establish a biodiversity baseline for Cumbria.

Top species recorded was the Ringlet, with butterflies generally well recorded across the weekend. Selfheal was the top plant recorded.

Thank you, Cumbria Wild Watchers 👏
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreSunday, June 28th, 2026 at 12:16am
Final day of #CumbriaWildWatch

Your last chance to contribute to wildlife records in Cumbria - used to inform nature recovery, planning & development, land management, education and research.

Do something AMAZING for nature - tell us what you see!

https://www.cbdc.org.uk/get-involved/cumbria-wild-watch/
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreFriday, June 26th, 2026 at 10:13pm
Day 3 of #CumbriaWildWatch

Spend 10 minutes in green space in Cumbria recording your wildlife observations - and send then to us via an app or our online form. Gardens, parks, coast or fell - help us achieve 2,000 observations this weekend.

https://www.cbdc.org.uk/get-involved/cumbria-wild-watch/
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreThursday, June 25th, 2026 at 9:23pm
Day 2 of #CumbriaWildWatch

What will you see today? Tells us what animals, plants, fungi you spot to help build up a better understanding of what is found where in Cumbria...

https://www.cbdc.org.uk/get-involved/cumbria-wild-watch/