WORLD Bee Day provides the perfect opportunity to raise awareness and celebrate the contribution bees make to our wellbeing via their role in food production, biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Did you know that bees help to pollinate most of the crops we eat, and that nearly two-thirds of Australia’s agricultural production benefits from honeybee pollination? And of course they make fabulous honey!
And we are not just talking about honeybees. In Australia we have more than 2,000 species of native bees. A very special native bee is the Blue Banded Bee. These bees perform an unusual type of pollination called buzz pollination, something that honeybees can’t do!
Saturday May 25, Pattemore House will be buzzing with activity, with the Friends celebrating World Bee Day at 15 Porters Lane, North Maleny from 11am to 4pm.
Renowned bee expert, Dr Max Whitten, will be on hand to chat about bees, and answer any questions you may have about honeybees and native bees. The Powerful Pollinators Guide for SE Queensland is a great resource for selecting species to plant to increase the health and diversity of pollinators in your local area. Copies will be available for purchase.
You can explore our regular heritage displays and stories too, and enjoy morning or afternoon tea served on the verandah. This month our teas will have a honey focus, and will be available from 11am to 4pm. ‘Bee’ there!