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

·         City of York Council

·         Environment Agency

·         Friends of Rawcliffe Meadow

·         Leeds City Council

·         National Trust

·         Natural England

·         North Yorkshire County Council

·         The Deep

·         University of York

·         West Leeds Country Park

·         Yorkshire Wildlife Trust