Environmental Records

A significant number of environmental records have been produced by a variety of organisations throughout the North East over the years. The Environmental Records Information Centre North East (ERIC NE) aims to bring this information together to create a regional environmental data hub. By collating and managing datasets from different sources a bank of information will be created about the biology and geology of North East England.

The Tyne and Wear museums, where ERIC is based, hold a significant archive of historical environmental data. Organisations such as the Environment Agency, Northumbria Natural History Society and Northumberland Wildlife Trust have agreed to share their data as have a number of local recorders. Paper based data is being inputted into special recording computer software by a team of staff and volunteers so that the information is not only more easily accessible but can also be analysed easily as well.

The Biodiversity Partnership uses the infromation gathered by ERIC to update progress on the delivery of the many species action plants contained within the Northumberland BAP. ERIC is therefore a vital resource for the partnership and we very much hope that the county of Northumberland will continue to support it as an ecological record centre for the region.