BOOK IN EARLY FOR THE NORTH ARM COVE COMMUNITY GARDEN NETWORK WORKSHOP ON NATIVE BEES, SATURDAY 11 OCTOBER 2014 FROM 9.30AM TO 2.30PM WITH MEGAN HALCROFT OF BEES BUSINESS
Megan Halcroft is one of only a few PhD qualified Australian specialists on native bees and her extensive experience in this field is combined with a deep love of bees. Richard Watkins and other stingless beekeepers will also participate in splitting hives and offering a taste of the unique native bee nectar.
The importance of bees is a hot topic with farmers and gardeners alike and there are numerous workshops being offered around the State by various councils and other organisations. Our area is home to a variety of native bees so by attending this workshop, you will get a unique insight into their world.
The workshop will be divided into sessions. In the morning, Megan will cover the life and times of the stingless bee Austroplebeia australis, the bee’s place in our environment including honey bees, stingless bees, semi social and solitary bees, how bees improve crop production, the world wide pollination crisis and the economic importance of bees in our world. Lots of pictures and videos will make this workshop engaging. You will learn how to identify and attract some of the native bees in your garden and how to conserve and provide habitat for native bees.
Lunch will be provided in the garden and in the afternoon the workshop will look at the practical applications of building a bee palace for your garden and building a take-home bee habitat, with the able assistance of the Raymond Terrace Men’s Shed.
Fee for the workshop is $50.00 per person (seniors and pensioners $45, children free, discounts for couples). This will cover the cost of speakers and materials and includes refreshments, lunch and a take-away bee habitat for your garden.
Register by email to mariacpickles@hotmail.com or phone Maria Pickles 02 4997 3045 by 30 August 2014. For more information on bees, go to www.beesbusiness.com.au or visit their facebook site.
A pdf flyer is attached for you to download and print for handy reference.
