Oliver Lees
The Woodend Bee-Friendly Society is here to help you and the winged insects that play a crucial role in the ecosystem.
Formed as an action group within the Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group, the organisation helps maintain the area’s bee population.
According to the Wheen Bee Foundation, a decline in commercial beekeeping, destruction of habitat and an increased use of pesticides are threatening bee populations in Australia.
Co-founder Ross Brierty has been responding to swarm calls across the shire for the past six years.
Mr Brierty said if anyone finds a swarm of bees on their property or in a public space, they should get in contact via Facebook or the Macedon Ranges Sustainability website.
He said he attended a property last week where it took roughly an hour for him to coax the bees from a post into a box, which he then transported back to his property to protect the colony.
“Bees pollinate up to 70 per cent of the crops we eat, so it’s really important we sustain the bee population,” Mr Brierty said.
“If our food is not being pollinated, we cannot eat any fruit and vegetables.”
Details: mrsg.org.au/
