BRIDGETOWN residents learned about local native bees and how they can benefit our gardens and make a healthier planet at a Blackwood Valley Small Landholders Inc workshop.
The workshop, held at the Bridgetown Lawn Tennis Club, was presented by Tracy Lansdell from Greenbushes, who is passionate about sharing her knowledge on the importance of caring for native bees in our own backyards
"This workshop covered how many species of Native Bees we have here in the South West and how we play a crucial role in the continued existence of our richly biodiverse flora," Ms Lansdell said.
"As individuals we can have a big impact on the health of bees that are endemic to this area by simply providing their basic needs, food, water and shelter, and by avoiding pesticides.
"On a broader view, it is to show that we can "Bee the change" that's needed to make a healthier planet simply by looking after our own little backyard ecosystems.
"These small individual efforts all add up and are a great way to live by the adage, 'Act local, think global'," she said.
Ms Lansdell enjoys sharing her knowledge on bees and is planning to hold more workshops to in the next couple of months before it gets too cold for bee activity.
"The peak time in your garden for native bee activity is now while it is warm," Ms Lansdell said. "I will be running a number of workshops at my North Greenbushes property so people can come and see the native bees in my garden and watch them utilise the nesting areas I have provided for them. It really is great to see."
Ms Lansdell also provides regular workshops on natural healing and sustainable living, including how to grow your own herbal medicine, fermenting foods and making wicking beds.
"I love to share this information with interested people as I feel it is a wonderful way to not only look after ourselves, but to also look after our environment," she said. "When we step into our gardens we connect with nature and when we connect with something we feel a desire to care for it.
"Caring for our environment and seeing ourselves as an integral part of the ecosystem is an important step forward to creating a healthier planet and healthier humans."
More information about upcoming workshops can be found by contacting Tracy Lansdell by email; gtnaturopathy@bigpond.com or by checking out the Green Tree Naturopathy Facebook page.
