Albert Einstein said; 'If bees were to disappear from the globe, humankind would only have four years left to live'. Needless to say, they're important little guys. Australia's 1500 native bee species are a vital part of our ecosystem, pollinating and assisting our native biodiversity. 200 of those species are endemic to Sydney, and only one of those species is a social bee - as in, they live in a colony and produce honey.
This workshop gives you the unique opportunity to see a hive being split! We'll teach you all you need to know about keeping native stingless bees. Learn about the structure and construction of a nest and the different roles bees play throughout their lifespan and within a colony. View an interactive demonstration and discussion of a 'split/propagation' and 'honey harvest'. Discover how to split/propagate a hive using a 'search for the void' technique, how to find the advancing front, retreating edge and queen cells. Find out how and when to harvest honey through a Sydney technique, soft on the colony's extra stores and population to encourage a healthy hive. And last but not least, take the opportunity to taste honey and take some home.
Suitable for: All ages.
Provided: Tea, coffee, detailed notes, honey tasting and a little to take home.
Bring: Paper, pen, water, hat + sunscreen.
Our teacher: Dan Smailes runs Sydney Native Bees. He is a permaculturalist and a true indigenous biodiversity advocate. Since discovering the essential link between native plant and endemic pollinator, Dan has solely focused his study on the essential role and adaption native bees resonate on Sydney's suburban & industrialised environment. Through his recent contribution at Permaculture Northern Beaches and collaboration with Wildthings NSW he has developed a unique understanding of 'our' Tetragonula Carbonaria colony behaviour, seasonal instinct and social patterns endemic to this region.