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Looking northwest over the crags of Great Gable, with Crummock Water in the distance and Scotland on the far horizon (Photo: Stuart Holmes)

Executive Summary:

This Geodiversity Statement and Action Plan for Cumbria has been prepared by Cumbria GeoConservation (CGC) as a resource for planners, education providers, and the many bodies involved in landscape and nature conservation in Cumbria.

It supersedes the Group’s previous Geodiversity Action Plan which was published in 2009.  Since that time there have been several significant developments, in particular the designation of the Lake District National Park as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2017, the publication of the LDNP 2020-2025 Management Plan, and the reorganisation of the county’s local government into two new unitary authorities: Cumberland, and Westmorland & Furness. The time is therefore ripe for a restatement of the importance of geodiversity, and an assessment of the key challenges for geoconservation in the decade ahead.

For its size, Cumbria is one of the most geodiverse areas in Europe, with an abundance of important geological and geomorphological features, and landscapes of global significance. This is reflected in the county’s wealth of protected landscapes, and geological sites of both local and national importance.

The purpose of this document is:

    • to raise awareness of Cumbria’s geodiversity amongst planners, and the many bodies involved with nature conservation in Cumbria;
    • to explain why geological conservation matters, and why conserved and well-managed geoheritage provides a wide range of social and economic benefits, as well as being a valuable resource for education and scientific research.
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Tarn Hows lgs trail with path in foreground

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 CentreTuesday, April 1st, 2025 at 10:59pm
CBDC will be speaking at Bothel Community Wildlife Group next Tuesday, 8th April, ahead of the Bioblitz in May. Come along to find out more about recording, what makes a good record, how records are used to inform decision making across the county and what tools are available to help you on your recording journey! Naturalist Polly Pullar will be the main speaker of the evening....
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreMonday, March 31st, 2025 at 9:47pm
Looking forward to speaking @Tullie Lunchtime Talk today!
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreFriday, March 28th, 2025 at 10:55pm
First bluebell of the year!
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreFriday, March 28th, 2025 at 4:39am
We'll be speaking about Cumbria Wild Watch at the next @Tullie Free Lunchtime Talk so come along to find out more! 1pm on 1st April

Book your free place: https://tullie.org.uk/events/cumbria-wild-watch-free-lunchtime-talk/
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreTuesday, March 25th, 2025 at 10:02pm
The countdown to Cumbria Wild Watch 2025 begins today!

In three months time, the largest community science survey in Cumbria will take place. You can get involved by recording all the wildlife you see between 26-29 June 2025. So mark this weekend on your calendars and watch out for more information of how to take part over the coming weeks.
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreTuesday, March 25th, 2025 at 12:31am
It is officially spring and we are now looking forward to our recording days (and bioblitzes) this year. The programme is on our website and you can book a place/express an interest in attending these events - all are welcome to come along and practice your wildlife recording skills.

https://www.cbdc.org.uk/get-involved/recording-days/

More events will be added as they are confirmed.