Ownership and Sharing

Ownership

For species data the original recorder always retains ownership/copyright of their own biological records and can ask anyone to remove them from their databases at any time. Usually the custodian is the person/organisation who first receives the record from the recorder.

Many local recording groups, conservation organisations and national schemes have their own datasets and wish to retain the ownership of their records and make them public. In these instances CBDC and the data owners enter into a Data Exchange Agreement that sets out how the information can be shared and used.

Please contact us if you have a further enquiry about record and data ownership.

Sharing Data and Privacy

CBDC is the custodian of much of the data it holds.  Anyone can contact CBDC for data.

Species records may be used by:

  • CBDC partner organisations
  • National and local recording schemes and societies
  • Naturalists interested in species distribution and occurrences.

The data will include the recorders name.  No contact details will be shared.  If there is an enquiry about your record CBDC will contact you if necessary.

Species records may be shared with:

  • Those in education including anyone carrying out an undergraduate projects
  • Researchers
  • CBDC Partners, ie local authorities
  • Ecologists and consultants as part of the planning and development process.

In this case data shared will not include the recorders name.  If the enquirer wants further information CBDC will contact you directly if necessary.

The following data is shared with the National Biodiversity Network Trust and is published on the NBN Atlas:

  • Cumbria Non Native Invasive Species
  • Tullie House Museum Natural History Collections
  • Wildwatch North Pennines AONB project records for Cumbria 2012-2015

This data is made public on the National Biodiversity Network (NBN) Atlas at the full geospatial resolution along with the name of the recorder.

If you wish your record(s) to be removed or anonymised please contact CBDC.

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.