We all love honey, but bee keeping isn’t for everyone, especially considering the painful and potentially dangerous sting of European honey bees.
However, local landholders are discovering the benefits of stingless native bees.
There is a diversity of native bee species, and they are highly effective pollinators, not only of native plants but also for a range of introduced food plants.
Some species can be kept in specialist hives, allowing their distinctive and delicious honey to be harvested.
Karuah and Great Lakes Landcare, with the support of Hunter Local Land Services, are bringing a free workshop to Coolongolook on Monday, May 7, which will give a solid introduction to these beneficial insects.
DPI bee bio-security officer, Mark Page and Riverdale Nursery’s Noel Jupp will be running the event.
Come along and learn about common local and native bees and their benefits.
Pick up some tips on keeping different types of stingless native bees, and become an expert on pollination, location of colonies, hive structure, splitting and harvesting honey.
You can also learn about encouraging native bees to your garden and the best species to plant to help them thrive.
Morning tea will be provided as part of the event. Please RSVP to Joel Dunn on 0401932533, or email joel.dunn@glcr.org.au.
