When Clarence Native Bees Landcare first formed as a Landcare group their objective was very definite.
The groups objective is “To formulate actions to lift the profile and value of native bees in the community and attend to rescue of wild native bee hives during storm activity, tree lopping, or general rescue. Educate the wider community on the value of native bees for biodiversity, provide workshops on bee hive construction, hive extraction and native bee hive rescues.”
Through a consultation process with Roads & Maritime Services & Pacific Complete & Environmental Protection Agency, Clarence Native Bees Landcare has paved the way to success for ensuring the survival of Native Stingless Bees in the Clarence. Native Stingless Bee Rescues have through this process in 2016 become a normal procedure for any highway clearing.
Rescue Coordinator and team members are also working with Clarence Valley Council when street trees are being lopped or felled. This process has already occurred and a working partnership established with Council staff.
The Rescue team aims to target other organisations in their tree clearing operations in a community education campaign. We will keep you updated on that process.
This tallowood log has been rescued and restabilised, John has inserted a ventilation and cap to prevent the bees from exiting whilst it is being transported to its new location.
This hive log was rescued in a Grafton Street, saved from the mulcher. The hive came from an English Oak and has just been relocated to a aboriginal community group in Grafton.
Photo : Rescue Coordinator Laura & John with Janelle, Julie & Kerri from Gurelgam