Bees play an essential part in maintaining our planet. We need them for crop pollination, for food that we need to survive and many trees and flowers providing habitats for wildlife. Bees in Australia are under threat. Honey bees are battling with varroa destructor mite and native bees need habitat and consistent climate conditions. The current weather patterns have been difficult for bees; with too much rain and water, mould and limited foraging opportunities.

Julie Leal from Beaches Bee loves bees. About 7 years ago, she decided to take her passion to another level and became a beekeeper. With her mentor, she established the Northern Beaches Bee Association and now started Beaches Bees, selling beautiful honey, teaching beekeeping to students and running workshops locally. She is involved with the Wheen Bee group whose role is to educate on the importance of bees and providing habitat.

You have questions on bees, native and European, and would like to better understand their cycle of life? Are you interested in planting a bee-friendly garden or flirt with the idea to become a beekeeper? Are you interested in learning more about varroa and its impact on our bee population? Come along on the last Thursday of October with all your questions on bees. It’s a talk that is not to be missed.

Beaches Bees: juliebbd@gmail.com