Uniting to power-up pollinators

THREE organisations are coming together to boost the health of the region’s bee population.

Pleasant Street Primary School, Rotary Club of Ballarat, and Friends of Ballarat Botanical Gardens have united to lead the new Powerful Pollinators program.

The project was an idea of Pleasant Street students, who are aiming to create of a brochure on plants that bees and pollinators love, and are encouraging people within the Lake Wendouree area, and beyond, to install bee baths in their gardens.

“In making the brochure, the kids will be getting advice from the Friends of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens,” said outgoing Rotary Club of Ballarat president Samantha McIntosh.

“There are more-than 500 volunteers and a myriad of experts that know all sorts about pollination and what bees like.

“We would love to see homes and places around the lake with a little Powerful Pollinators plaque to say that they’re part of it.”

A bee bath made by local stone carver Jen Clarkson from Jen’s Rock Bowls, and a plaque made by Sally Kennedy, were unveiled at the Gatekeeper’s Cottage in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens last week to officially launch Powerful Pollinators.

Teacher Travis Poyner said pupils at Pleasant Street Primary School begin to learn about sustainability from grade prep. Insects and bees are often a focus.

“This year we’re putting in insect hotels, planting more flowers throughout our gardens, and we’ve even got makeshift bird and insect baths,” he said.

“We also have a Green Team of 20 students who meet each Monday lunchtime who do

things around the garden, like planting, mulching, and turning compost.”

FBBB president and BotaniKIDS convenor Julie Bradby said biodiversity is a key focus of the Friends.

“We’re working with a council to create a pathway from the Gatekeeper’s Cottage up to the wetlands, and that will be our pollinator pathway,” she said.

“Powerful Pollinators will complement that. It’s going to be fantastic when it takes wings and flies.”

The bee bath may stay at the Gatekeeper’s Cottage or be relocated to somewhere by the lake that’s closer to Pleasant Street Primary School.

Rotarians may undertake some fundraising to help cover the cost of producing the brochures.