Terms and Conditions

The following terms and conditions apply to all data searches.

1. Source of Data

CBDC at Tullie House Museum is the Local Environmental Records Centre for Cumbria. Tullie House Museum has been collecting information on the wildlife of Cumbria for more than 100 years. The electronic species records database of nearly a million records has been built up since the early 1990’s. Most of the information on the database is contemporary and has been supplied by local amateur naturalists who send in their wildlife records to CBDC. Those providing data retain copyright over their records. CBDC retains copyright on the holdings of the species records database. Sites and habitats information collated by CBDC remains the intellectual property of the original owners.

2. Type of Data Provided

Data is provided as described on the CBDC website.

Our minimum search radius is 500m to allow for imprecision in data (for example, where the grid reference for a species record is a site centroid).

A Data Search will only be initiated when a completed data request form is received with the declaration acknowledged, ensuring that the data will be used in accordance with the terms and conditions. Data will be provided within 10 working days from receipt of a completed data request from.

3. Confidentiality

There are a small number of records on the database that are regarded as confidential and will not be automatically released with a data search.

Some of the records provided may be of rare and sensitive species and special care must be taken not to reveal locations or otherwise endanger the species. No data provided may be published.

4. Data Quality and Interpretation of Data

Data is provided on the understanding that:
• Presence in a species search does not imply breeding status or that a species still exists at a given site.
• Absence from a search does not necessarily mean that a species isn’t found in a given search area, it may just be unrecorded.
• Whilst CBDC does all that it can to validate and confirm records submitted, it cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is provided. CBDC’s validation and verification procedures are listed on our website.

5. Charges

Charges are defined on the CBDC website; Charges and Invoicing.

A charge does not imply transfer of copyright or intellectual property rights on the supply of the data.
You will be invoiced from Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery Trust (Trading) Ltd.
Payment details are included on the invoice or are available from CBDC in advance if required.

Free of charge requests are still subject to these terms and conditions.

6. Use of Data

Data supplied will be used only for the purposes stated and raw data will not be passed to third parties. A summary of the data may be provided as part of an ecological report to a client or local planning authority.

The data is licensed for use for a period of 12 months, after which all electronic copies should be deleted. Should use of the data be required beyond this time period, an application for extension should be sought.

A summary of the data may be provided as part of an ecological report to a client or local planning authority.

After consulting CBDC the data may be used to create a new data product, eg species suitability zone, and made available to the public. However, any such product must not make available raw data that has been provided by CBDC, eg site boundary, biological record details. If this product needs updating a new data request must be made to CBDC.

7. Acknowledgement

Acknowledgement of the use of the data, using the terminology below, must be given in any publications, reports or data products, that use the datasets supplied.

“Data provided by Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre (Year)”

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, 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/
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreFriday, June 26th, 2026 at 10:13pm
Day 3 of #CumbriaWildWatch

Spend 10 minutes in green space in Cumbria recording your wildlife observations - and send then to us via an app or our online form. Gardens, parks, coast or fell - help us achieve 2,000 observations this weekend.

https://www.cbdc.org.uk/get-involved/cumbria-wild-watch/
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreThursday, June 25th, 2026 at 9:23pm
Day 2 of #CumbriaWildWatch

What will you see today? Tells us what animals, plants, fungi you spot to help build up a better understanding of what is found where in Cumbria...

https://www.cbdc.org.uk/get-involved/cumbria-wild-watch/