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 Cumbria Local Nature Partnership (CLNP) on behalf of Cumbria County Council for the development of Cumbria habitat basemap and local Nature Recovery Networks (LNRN). This was project was one of five pilot projects commissioned by Defra in 2020-21 to help in mapping the most valuable sites and habitats for wildlife and identify where nature can be restored.
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 CentreThursday, December 7th, 2023 at 7:24am
We've been a bit quiet lately... So catch up with our latest news in our fresh-off-the-press newsletter:
https://mailchi.mp/2290189d91a7/cbdc-newsletter-dec23

Why not sign up via our website to receive this regular news update about Cumbrian wildlife recording? Scroll to the bottom of the page to subscribe.
https://www.cbdc.org.uk/
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreThursday, November 2nd, 2023 at 1:18am
Our latest newsletter is now out! In it, you'll find: Cumbria Recorders' Conference update and booking, taxon group review volunteers sought, and much more. Access it from our website: https://www.cbdc.org.uk/about-us/newsletters/
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreSunday, October 15th, 2023 at 8:53pm
Hospice at Home needs your help in making wreaths. Any farmers, etc out there that would like a holly bush trimmed for free please see the link below.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=823064153160316&id=100063702169600
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreFriday, September 29th, 2023 at 10:21pm
Our latest newsletter has been published today! Thanks to all who contributed content and images, including this great image from Chris Arthur.
You can sign up to receive the monthly newsletter at our website or visit the newsletter page to view there: https://www.cbdc.org.uk/about-us/newsletters/
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreThursday, September 28th, 2023 at 11:12pm
Everyone can do something for nature and it need not take too much time. When you are out and about this weekend, record what nature you see (trees, other plants, birds, mammals, inverts, fungi), where and when - then send to your local records centre. For Cumbria - that's us!

#StateOfNature #MakingDataWorkForNature #RestoreNatureNow
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreMonday, September 18th, 2023 at 1:04am
Great to see the results of the #BigButterflyCount. Just from personal observation, there seem to have been lots of butterflies this year - including this week on this Hylotelephium!

A reminder that if you have news for the CBDC newsletter, please send in by 26th September and share across the Cumbria wildlife recording community.