Projects

CBDC staff use their recording, IT, GIS mapping and analysis skills to support a wide range of projects linked to Cumbria’s Natural History.  Income from these projects helps CBDC support the 100’s of volunteer recorders in Cumbria that provide the records.

If you think CBDC can help you or your project please contact us.

Examples of CBDC project work:

Cumbria Local Nature Recovery Network (CLNRN) Habitat Mapping  Habitat datasets were collated and mapped in coordination with Westmorland and Furness Council, and in support of LNRS partners, for the development of the Cumbria habitat basemap and Local Nature Recovery Networks (LNRN). The mapping of the Cumbria LNRS Habitat Network was produced using Natural England’s Habitat Network model to identify zones where opportunities for nature recovery are strategically significant at the landscape scale.
Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS) test: "Forgotten Lands" The project aimed to explore approaches to encourage farmers to take part in mapping the natural capital of their farms. This involved mapping 21 farms in Cumbria, providing baseline information and creating online interactive maps for heling farmers collecting data, including identifying species (e.g. birds and other fauna), mapping habitats and associated flora on their farms.
Get Cumbria Buzzing - Pollinator Analysis and Mapping This project is a collaboration between CBDC and Cumbria Wildlife Trust (CWT). The purpose of this work is twofold, firstly to provide current habitat and species data that will help inform decisions on habitat intervention work and secondly to collate the project pollinator records. The collated records provide the basis for the development of a pollinator distribution atlas for Cumbria.
Cumbria Dragonfly Atlas This atlas was the first attempt for creating an online, updatable atlas for dragonfly in Cumbria. It was created in a collaboration with David Clarke, British Dragonfly Society County Recorder for Cumbria. The online map shows the distribution of dragonfly records represented by tetrad grids on top of ‘Google map’. The map provides a tool for searching for species recorded in Cumbria using common names. Species photos, number of records, information on location and records mapping period can be browsed by clicking on species pop-up markers.
Hidden Hedgerows Project Database The purpose of this work was to design and built a database to hold the hedgerow survey data from the Hidden Hedgerows Project run by Cumbria Wildlife Trust (CWT) with an aim to increase connectivity and reduce fragmentation of hedgerow habitat in the Rusland Horizons scheme area. The hedgerow data was also mapped and analysed and the findings used to contribute to the production of a hedgerow report for the project.
Mapping Atlantic Woodlands in Cumbria This project was commissioned by Plantlife with an aim to identify suitable Atlantic woodland habitats and map key lichen and bryophyte indicator species records and assess suitability of identified woodland based on presence or absence of species within the woodland areas. Environmental parameters were also mapped to assess how other external factors affect lichen and bryophyte distribution.

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, January 2nd, 2026 at 12:01am
One month left to apply to the CBDC Small Grants Scheme.

If you have submitted records to CBDC, you will be eligible to apply for funding to support your ongoing recording activities. Individuals, groups and societies are welcome to apply. More information:

https://www.cbdc.org.uk/get-involved/small-grants-scheme/
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreThursday, January 1st, 2026 at 1:00am
Challenge 365 starts today!

Aim - to record a wildlife observation every day of the year.

https://www.cbdc.org.uk/recording-wildlife/challenge-365/

These camels definitely don't count!
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreMonday, December 29th, 2025 at 12:15am
We're very excited about working with more people across Cumbria in 2026 in our aim to get more people recording wildlife, connecting to nature and doing something positive for nature.

- Take part in Challenge 365 to record something each day of the year
- Join a Cumbria Ecoskills training session
- Do something during Cumbria Wild Watch in June 2026
- Take part in the Cumbria Festival of Nature (more on this very soon!)

Find out more from our website:
https://www.cbdc.org.uk/recording-wildlife/challenge-365/
https://www.cbdc.org.uk/get-involved/cumbria-ecoskills/
https://www.cbdc.org.uk/get-involved/cumbria-wild-watch/
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreTuesday, December 23rd, 2025 at 11:44pm
A huge thank you to all our partners, collaborators, colleagues and particularly wildlife recorders and verifiers - we have enjoyed working with you in 2025 and would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas!
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreSunday, December 21st, 2025 at 11:24pm
If you need some reading for the Christmas period, the CBDC newsletter is available to read from our website (where you can see all the back issues) or simply click the link below:
https://mailchi.mp/b163da6742af/cbdc-newsletter-december2025

Happy reading!
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreMonday, December 15th, 2025 at 11:11pm
Join our first winter webinar this evening at 7pm:

Recording winter birds with Martin Harris, CBDC Recording Officer.

Mulled wine and mince pie optional but very welcome!

Sign up for free here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/cumbria-ecoskills/recording-winter-birds/e-qgerqp