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 CentreWednesday, September 16th, 2026 at 1:12am
As well as the excellent Plantlife resources and Waxcap Watch, CBDC has two upcoming waxcap training sessions - Thursday 8th October and Sunday 1st November. We're finalising details but do let us know if you would like more information/have priority booking by completing our expressions of interest form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe5JQ99XCSMMIyUX641NL8EqGz6gXH4C2hItqp9EFL-iFXhKw/viewform?usp=publish-editor
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreMonday, September 14th, 2026 at 5:51am
It is apple season! The apple harvest looks good again this year - albeit with possibly smaller apples than usual. Traditionally managed orchards are good sites for biodiversity but their location and condition in Cumbria are not well understood. If you manage a traditional orchard, tell us about it. Do get in contact if you would be willing to share information about your orchard.
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/