The local buzz

You may be aware of the rising popularity and general public awareness of keeping native bees; in particular, the stingless sugarbag bee. With our ever-increasing urban sprawl, what can we do to maintain these vital pollinators?

Of course, the main thing we can all do is plant gardens — in suburban backyards, inner-city courtyards, balconies, community gardens, footpaths, rooftops and school grounds. We should also consider and even get involved in regeneration of degraded natural bushland and creeks. The options for habitat creation are endless.

The sugarbag stingless native bee is by far the best known of the native bees, especially for beekeeping, but these little guys are not the only native bees buzzing around your backyard. There are possibly also blue banded bees, carpenter bees, leafcutter bees, resin bees and more, most of