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National GCR Sites

Cumbria has 151 National Geological Conservation Review (GCR) sites. These sites were assessed as being of National importance by JNCC by 1990.

GCR Sites and SSSIs :

Most of these sites were then designated as SSSI Geological or Mixed to give them National protection. Few are actively managed and so CGC believes it’s important that more people know about these sites and report any site issues direct to Natural England.

The Interactive Map of LGS sites, shows these GCR sites as blue dots, when you check the box. Some GCR sites are also our 5 star LGS sites and a few overlap with our LGS sites

The Scottish Geology Trust Geosites Project has produced a map of the UK showing GCR sites with boundaries in Scotland, but the map also extends across the UK with any NGR (grid references)  that are mentioned in the GCR volumes, many of these NGRs are in Cumbria. There is also a handy link to all the published GCR volumes. Click on an NGR from the map and it will take you to the full site description. Unfortuntaly the key one for Cumbria - Ordovician Igneous Rocks was never produced, however the individual Site Accounts are still available - see the links on the LGS Public map, when you check the GCR box.

For more information see DEFRA JNCC 


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Jeffries Mount Tebay road cuttings GCR 2259 (Caledonian Structures) and LGS 7.171

Limestone Pavement Orders:

Many of the pavements in Cumbria are now protected by an LPO. Many are also covered by GCR status and some of overlap with our LGS sites.

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Great Asby limetsone pavement. GCR 1113 (Karst) Photo by Peter Standing

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 CentreMonday, May 19th, 2025 at 9:30pm
Job Opportunity:
Eden Rivers Trust is recruiting for a 2-day per week Project Assistant on the Access to Eden Project. Deadline is 27th May:
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreWednesday, May 14th, 2025 at 12:58am
CBDC are involved in many recording events this summer – and we’d like YOUR help with recording. If you can come along to one (or more) event(s) and help to record the wildlife you see, please do register your interest and we’ll get in contact with details about the session. All are in interesting locations – some with very few existing records.
Link to booking:
https://www.cbdc.org.uk/get-involved/recording-days/
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreTuesday, May 13th, 2025 at 4:22am
The Cumbria Local Nature Recovery Strategy Consultation is open: https://cumbrialnrs.org.uk/public-consultation

Have your say before 22 June to help shape a positive future for nature in Cumbria.
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreMonday, May 12th, 2025 at 1:29am
The Growing Ecoskills in Cumbria project has arranged a series of training courses at venues across Cumbria this spring/summer. See the full programme and book your ticket here:
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/cumbria-ecoskills

The first course is on Wednesday 21st May 2025 at Orton Market Hall looking at developing self-guided wildlife walks - places available!
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreFriday, May 9th, 2025 at 12:00am
We’re looking forward to the Wild Weekend Bioblitz at Torpenhow tomorrow. Weather forecast is good so we should gather plenty of wildlife records!
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreThursday, May 8th, 2025 at 8:15am
Interested in creating Cumbrian wildlife walks in your local area? This training session might be of interest to you! Places remaining on 21 May at Orton Market Hall.
Booking here:
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/cumbria-ecoskills/t-pqnkdvd

Created for Orton Wildlife and Landscape (OWLs) group, the session will be of interest to other groups in Cumbria who want to create curated walks for their communities and visitors.