Tansy Beetle Action Group

TBAG is working to a five year conservation plan for the beetle.

The Group has undertaken a number of conservation measures to protect the Tansy Beetle, with funding from the HLF, Ernest Cooke Trust, SITA Trust, York business ‘Sumptuosity’ and a legacy donation.

These measures include:

•          Removing riverside willow and Himalayan Balsam, which reduce Tansy growth;
•          Planting Tansy clumps where there are large gaps, as the beetles can only walk a maximum of 200 metres;
•          Creating ark sites, safe havens away from the river where beetle populations can be protected from summer floods which cause high mortality;
•          Working with landowners and land managers to reduce grazing pressure on Tansy by using temporary fencing;
•          Ensuring that, riverside landowners know the difference between Tansy and Ragwort;
•          Yearly surveys by TBAG volunteers to monitor existing populations along the River Ouse and in Woodwalton Fen;
•          Increasing public awareness of the beetle working with BIAZA partners e.g.: West Leeds Country Park Visitor Centre (Leeds City Council) and the Deep;
•          Captive breeding to facilitate research introductions and reintroductions;
•          Reintroductions and expansion within the East Anglian Fens.

Tansy Beetle Action Group

The Tansy Beetle Action Group comprises representatives from:

• Askham Byran College
• BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums)
• Buglife
• Carstairs Countryside Trust
• City of York Council
• Environment Agency
• National Trust
• Natural England
• Species Recovery Trust
• St Nicks
• The Deep
• University of York
• Wildfowl and Wetland Trust
• York Natural Environment Trust