Case Studies

Since 2010, CBDC has worked on a range of important and influential projects linked to wildlife and natural history, both in Cumbria and around the United Kingdom. You can find a selection of our favourite and most recent projects below.

We offer a range of data, mapping, and training services and take on projects of any size. For more information, please visit our Services section. If you that think CBDC can help you with a project and you’d like to know more, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Income from our paid services allows us to continue charitably supporting hundreds of local volunteers in Cumbria.

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Cumbria Local NRN

CBDC and Cumbria Local Nature Partnership (CLNP) worked on behalf of Cumbria County Council to develop the Cumbria habitat basemap and Local Nature Recovery Networks (LNRN).

Services:
Digital Mapping and Habitat Modelling

Forgotten Lands ELMS Test

We worked with the the Farmer Network to explore approaches to encourage farmers to take part in mapping the natural capital of their farms.

Services:
Digital Mapping (GIS), Data Management, Identification Training and Habitat Survey

Hidden Hedgerows

We mapped and analysed hedgerow data for Rusland Horizons and the Cumbria Wildlife Trust which will help inform hedgerow management decisions that will conserve and enhance these important wildlife corridors.

Services:
Database Creation, Data Input, Data Management

Get Cumbria Buzzing

We are a partner in a groundbreaking project, led by the Cumbria Wildlife Trust and Highways England, that aims to combat biodiversity loss and boost the number of wild pollinators in Cumbria.

Services:
Digital Mapping (GIS), Data Management, Identification Training

Mapping Wild Rusland

CBDC worked alongside Natural England, the Lake District National Park, and others on this complex digital mapping project. We pioneered new mapping techniques that will be emulated nation-wide.

Services:
Digital Mapping, Data Analysis

B-Lines

CBDC collaborated with Buglife, Natural England, and record centers in Northwest and Southwest England on this national project that aims to save pollinators from extinction by developing a UK-wide network of wildflower-rich habitats.

Services:
Digital Mapping, Data Analysis

Cumbrian Wildlife Atlases

To support local and visiting recorders, CBDC collaborated with recording groups to produce a variety of Cumbrian wildlife atlases, which you can find hosted in our Wildlife in Cumbria section.

Services:
Data Management and Analysis, Document Publication

Public Engagement


CBDC’s knowledge, skills and resources, coupled with our network of natural historians, are ideal for public engagement events. We get involved in bioblitzes and family fun days across Cumbria.

Mapping Atlantic Woodlands

Plantlife's LOST Project is working to conserve the lichens and bryophytes of one of rarest habits on the planet. We helped them identify existing and potential Atlantic woodlands in Cumbria.

Services:
Data Analysis, Digital Mapping

Project Archives

Click here to view a selection of our older projects, which feature raw data and more technical terminology.

View Archives

Solway Nature Networks

To boost wildlife records on the Solway coast and plains, CBDC recruited new volunteers via a series of recording walks and identification training sessions, who collected over 1,000 records in one year.

 

Please contact us if you're interested in working with 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 CentreWednesday, October 8th, 2025 at 10:00pm
We're here at #WatchtreeNatureReserve and ready to record.... Here are a few already spotted!

If you're in the area, do drop in to find out more about recording or to take part (after tea and cake in the cafe)....
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
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Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreWednesday, October 8th, 2025 at 5:49am
We're looking forward to the recording day at #WatchtreeNatureReserve tomorrow! Hope you can join us sometime between 10am and 3pm to record all wildlife at this fantastic site. See you there....
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
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Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreTuesday, October 7th, 2025 at 4:39am
So pleased to see not one, not two but three amazing Cumbrian recorders being short-listed for the upcoming NBN Awards for Wildlife Recording!

https://nbn.org.uk/news/2025-shortlist-announced-nbn-awards-for-wildlife-recording/

#NBNAwards #WildlifeRecording #Cumbria
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
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Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreThursday, October 2nd, 2025 at 6:22am
Our latest newsletter has just been sent to all our subscribers. Not received it? View it online from our website!
https://www.cbdc.org.uk/about-us/newsletters/
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
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Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreTuesday, September 16th, 2025 at 11:47pm
The last CBDC recording day of 2025 takes place on Thursday 9th October @WatchtreeNatureReserve near Carlisle. CBDC will be on site 10am-4pm so please do come along to take part in wildlife recording. Whether you are new to recording wildlife or very experienced, you will be very welcome!

We'll start the session with an introduction to Watchtree. At 2pm, there is a wildlife recording workshop and walk - please book this via the Watchtree website. Otherwise, do drop by to have a go.

More information here: https://www.cbdc.org.uk/get-involved/recording-days/
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
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Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreTuesday, September 2nd, 2025 at 5:01am
There are still places on the upcoming session "Creating Self-Guided Walks" at Orton Market Hall on 14th September (morning only). If you are interested in how to create such walks - for websites, blogs, for local community groups, for visitors - do come along. Open to all - land managers, farmers, community groups, individuals.

See you there!

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/cumbria-ecoskills

#biodiversity #walking #access #walkinginnature #wildliferecording
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
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