Native bees the 'bees knees' of Australian ecosystems - info forums

If you're interested in learning about Australia's native bees, check out the events listed below (click 'read more'). Some great speakers are coming along to these events, with topics including Protecting Native Bee Habitat, Native Bees and Crop Pollination, Native Bees in Orchards, Berry Farms and Nature Reserves, and Hover Flies and Other Important Invertebrates. These events are free, and light catering is provided.

Pollinators drive biodiversity with over 75% of the world’s plants needing insect pollinators in order to reproduce. These pollinators provide ecosystem services in the natural landscapes as well as in agriculture and urban environments.
Australia has around 1,700 species of native bees, with more species being discovered each year.
Native bees are important pollinators of Australia’s wildflowers. They also make an important contribution to Australian agriculture, through crop pollination. Populations of native bees can be threatened by land clearing and pesticide use.
At these special forums, learn more about native bees and other pollinators, their habitat
requirements and how to improve the biodiversity of your property to increase native bee populations and benefit from the services they provide as specialised crop pollinators. 

Free events. Light catering provided.

Speakers:

Kit Prendergast
PhD candidate, Curtin University WA (via
video)
Native bees and protecting their habitat

Dr Katja Hogendoorn
Research Associate, University of Adelaide
Native bees and crop pollination (canola, fruits
and vegetable production)

Dr Julian Brown
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Australian
National University 
Native bees in orchards, berry farms, and
nature reserves

Karen Thomas
Port Phillip & Westernport CMA
Hover flies and other important invertebrates

Event dates:
Monday 26th August, 6.30pm-8.30pm
Darley Civic and Community Hub, 182 Halletts Way, Darley (Bacchus Marsh)
Hosted by PPWCMA, Moorabool Shire, Moorabool Landcare Network, Moorabool Catchment Landcare Group and Farming Moorabool

Tuesday 27th August, 1.30pm-3.30pm
Box Hill Institute, Centre for Biosecurity Excellence 
Building LC Auditorium, 1 Jarlo Dve, Lilydale
Hosted by PPWCMA, Agribusiness Yarra Valley, Yarra Ranges Landcare Network and Box Hill Institute

Wednesday 28th August, 9:30am-11:30am
Bayles Public Hall, 660 Kooweerup Longwarry Rd, Bayles
Hosted by PPWCMA and Western Port Catchment Landcare Network

Bookings: https://www.ppwcma.vic.gov.au/beesknees/
​For more information contact Karen Thomas M: 0427 480 170
E: [email protected]