Our new Barberry Rust Explorer (BarbRE) program establishes the first detailed study of barberry bushes for rust infection in the UK. This will help us understand the current threat barberry could pose as an incubation site for emerging wheat rust strains. But first the location of these bushes needs to be determined to identify those near cereal crops that need careful monitoring.

We need your help! Join us at the JIC to find out more about the project, conservations efforts across the UK and how you can help with our citizen science project using the iNaturalist app. For more information on the BarbRE program please visit https://barbre.co.uk/

The BarbRE project will be officially opened on the 3rd of April at the John Innes Conference Centre. All are welcome to join and can register via Eventbrite.

The evening will include presentations from the program organisers and demonstrations of the iNaturalist phone app, displays of our historical collection of barberry material and information on various conservation programs by our partners at Drayton Manor.

Event program

6:00 – 6:30 PM

Arrival with drinks & nibbles. View stands from Drayton Manor, the BarbRE program & JIC’s historical collection

6:30 – 8:20 PM

Welcome from the Chair – Belinda Clark (Agri-tech East)

How can we address the conservation conundrum? Saving a rare moth whilst protecting our wheat crops

Diane Saunders (JIC)

The barberry carpet moth conservation project at Drayton Manor Park

Ben Murcott (DMP)

We need your help to identify barberry bushes.

Elizabeth Orton (JIC)

Panel discussion

Diane Saunders, Elizabeth Orton, Ben Murcott and Fiona Haynes (Butterfly Conservation) – chaired by Belinda Clark

8:20 – 9:00 PM

View stands from Drayton Manor, the BarbRE program, JIC’s historical collection & sign up to the iNaturalist app.