Come together to support Australia’s pollinators this November
16 OCTOBER 2024: Australian Pollinator Week starts next month and this year the theme is Pollinator Partnerships: Thriving Together.
The national week of awareness inspires joint action to ensure Australia’s precious pollinators, including more than 2,000 species of native bees, along with hoverflies, moths, butterflies and other pollinators have enough floral resources, habitat and breeding sites to survive and thrive.
Kicking off on 9 November, the nine-day celebration encourages collaboration through activities including the Australian Pollinator Count, the Pollinator Photography Competition, Pollinator Picnics, Bee Friendly Gardening sessions, webinars and more.
Australian Pollinator Week was founded in 2015 by Australian native bee specialist Dr Megan Halcroft to grow community awareness of the importance of insect pollinators.
“Many people don’t consider the role of insect pollinators in our day to day activities,” Dr Halcroft said.
“The reality is insect pollinators are vital to Australia’s food security and the biodiversity in our farms, parks and gardens and in the natural environment.
“This year we are helping communities understand the impact pollinators have and how to take action, big or small, to protect and encourage pollinator populations.”
Australian Pollinator Week is coordinated by the Wheen Bee Foundation and CEO Fiona Chambers says the Australian Pollinator Count helps build a greater understanding of pollinator health.
“There is still little information available about the vast majority of pollinators in Australia, in particularly in relation to their number and diversity.” said Ms Chambers.
“The Australian Pollinator Count addresses this gap by encouraging everyone to help monitor the status and trends of pollinator populations.”
To participate, visit the website and learn how to identify common insect pollinators and complete the identification online quiz. Then observe an area of flowering shrub or tree for just two mins. Record flower visitation activity and submit the results online.
“More information means we can make informed decisions to ensure pollinators’ wellbeing and safeguard biodiversity and ecosystem health,” said Ms Chambers.
Australian Pollinator Week encourages everyone to take the time to recognise and celebrate the important role of our diverse, and often unrecognised, insect pollinators.
Community groups across the country are encouraged to register their events for free, online at the Australian Pollinator Week website.
For event ideas or to find a local event near you, visit, https://www.australianpollinatorweek.org.au/explore/
Highlights of Australian Pollinator Week 2024
Australian Pollinator Count
The annual Australian Pollinator Count is a long-term project to monitor the status and trends of insect pollinator populations. This includes more than 2,000 species of native bee, along with thousands of species of fly, butterfly, moth, wasp, beetle and other insects.
People across the country are encouraged to take part by heading outside, taking two minutes to record the insect pollinators they see and registering their results online.
A Pollinator Count Guide and quiz are available online to help with identifying different types of insects found in backyards, community gardens and farms.
Find out more at: www.australianpollinatorweek.org.au/count
Pollinator Photography Competition
The Pollinator Photography Competition is back for another year. Photographers and insect pollinator enthusiasts alike are encouraged to head outside and snap pictures of pollinators in action.
A separate category for schools is open to primary and secondary school students, sponsored by the Centre for Bee Education, Bee School by Beechworth Honey and the Wheen Bee Foundation.
Submissions will be accepted until Monday 28 October, 5pm AEST. Winners will be announced in a webinar on Thursday 14 November 2024.
Find out more at: www.australianpollinatorweek.org.au/pollinator-photography-competition
Discover Bees Through Photography Webinar
Learn about how to capture the best pollinator photo with our panel of experienced and award-winning macro photographers. Join Bridgette Gower, owner of Aussie Macro Photos and Dr James Dorey, entomologist and photographer, as they announce the winners of the Pollinator Photography Competition.
This free webinar is on Thursday 14 November at 7.30pm AEDT.
Find out more at: https://www.australianpollinatorweek.org.au/event/discover-bees-through-photography-webinar-2024/
Powerful Pollinators Webinar
Join native plant and bee experts Dr Anna Carrucan and Dr Megan Halcroft for this free webinar. Find out how pollinators can play a role in enhancing food production yields and supporting our natural environment and understand the benefits of creating pollinator havens.
This free webinar is on Sunday 10 November 2023 at 12pm AEDT.
Find out more at: https://www.australianpollinatorweek.org.au/event/powerful-pollinators-webinar-2024/
All About Australian Native Bees Workshop
Come along to this all-day workshop at Mudgee Town Hall and learn about the beauty and diversity of Australia’s native bees and other insect pollinators, with Dr Megan Halcroft.
An image-rich, science-based session will showcase the fascinating world of just some of our native bees. Followed by a walk and talk where participants will get up close and personal with a diversity of flower visiting insects. Participants will also get to take home the ‘bee hotel’ they create.
Find out more at: https://www.australianpollinatorweek.org.au/event/all-about-australian-native-bees/
Pollinate! By Beechworth Honey
A special month-long celebration of bees, flowers, and food. See the Beechworth Honey Shop in Beechworth transformed into an immersive floral experience.
Visit the shop and witness the stunning botanical displays, delicious tastings, and an exciting new Sparkling Honey Drink Bar for a limited time.
Find out more at: https://www.australianpollinatorweek.org.au/event/pollinate-by-beechworth-honey-2/