When
Tuesday, 19th April 2016, 6.30pm for a 7.00pm start
Where
Tuggerah Hall, Anzac Road, Tuggerah, directly opposite Hungry Jacks – within easy walking distance of Tuggerah Railway Station.
Guest Speaker: Steven and Sandra Wilson
Bio
Steve has always had a great interest and sense of amazement at all our native flora and fauna. His past includes studying entomology while becoming a pest controller. He soon saw the error in the eradication methods and went back to nursing. Steve and I are very concerned about the massive decline in all bee populations. This has lead him to developing an ever increasing hobby of native bee keeping for the purpose of sustainability.
Sandra grew up enjoying the garden with her family and has been studying Horticulture since 1980s. While working in nurseries for 24years and running her own gardening business part time, she has been a passionate gardener at home. While serving customers in a nursery she has made it her calling to teach customers to respect nature and allow the balance of life bring out the best in their garden. Bees are second to none in their importance in nature for everyone to exist.
Steve and Sandra are both on a mission to re-populate the urban environment with native bees.
Presentation Outline
- Introduction to native bees.
- Background to native bees vs European honey bees.
- Environmental importance of native bees
- 2/3 of our food comes from pollinated plants.
- urbanisation has created a need for a repopulation of native bee hives
- pollination increases yield and size of fruit.
- Difference between solitary bees and social bees. Honey?
- Solitary bee homes are suitable for other beneficial insects as well.
- Social bee hive make up. How they function.
- Keeping native bees on your property. Correct positioning and care.
- Attracting native bees to your garden.
- List of suitable plant species for your garden.
Native Bees of NSW image: courtesy Gina Cranson