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.

Image

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, April 22nd, 2026 at 6:55am
#CityNatureChallenge takes place this weekend. While we don't have many cities in Cumbria, hamlets, villages and towns can all take part! What better way to celebrate #EarthDay2026...

Find out how to take part: https://www.citynaturechallenge.org/
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
1
View on Facebook
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreWednesday, April 22nd, 2026 at 6:42am
View on Facebook
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreMonday, April 20th, 2026 at 3:07am
If you love trees and want to find out more about tree nurseries, join us at Tebay this Friday for a tree growing session with Growing Well! Free session - all welcome but booking is required:
https://www.ticketsource.com/cumbria-ecoskills/from-seeds-to-trees/e-zkxkza
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
View on Facebook
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreThursday, April 9th, 2026 at 1:32am
What's this bird?

Okay - this is an easy one. Even with a poor photo.

But if you don't know a mallard from a moorhen or are unsure how to tell a siskin from a greenfinch, we have a short morning course for you! Come along to the Introduction to Birds session on Saturday morning for a free introduction to bird identification and find out how you can improve your birding skills.

https://www.ticketsource.com/cumbria-ecoskills/introduction-to-birds/e-gppyjb
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
View on Facebook
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreTuesday, April 7th, 2026 at 6:06am
Join the 'Introduction to Birds' session this Saturday for a free course on getting started with bird identification and recording. All welcome!

https://www.ticketsource.com/cumbria-ecoskills/introduction-to-birds/e-gppyjb
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
View on Facebook
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreTuesday, March 17th, 2026 at 4:53am
We have a great training session this Friday focusing on Priority Habitats - what they are and what you need to know to survey and potentially manage them. The weather is forecast to be good so why not join us to explore a range of different habitat types?

More information and to book: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/cumbria-ecoskills/identifying-priority-habitats/e-dyymjm
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
View on Facebook