https://www.begadistrictnews.com.au/story/6014935/new-apiary-opened-atbega-high-to-educate-students-about-bees/digital-subscription/
Apiary Workshop
Purpose: The apiary workshop will cooperate with the Bees@ UniMelb, which can teach the communities the knowledge of this outstanding insects. It also provides opportunities to become the teaching space for veterinary, biology and bioscience students.
Intervention
A Bee Keeping place for students & community, with an Apiary Workshop held for all interested in learning the fundamental role that these insects play in our daily lives.
Sensitive to Nature
The Apiary can be benefited by bees and eventually other insects, becoming pollinators and natural pesticides, thus increasing its biodiversity. Meanwhile, the location is near to the System Garden. The advantage of locality can create patches of activity areas for the bees, helping to expand the biodiversity range across the campus. In terms of biodiversity sensitivity, Introducing the Apiary workshop also allows the community to understand the nature processes (Cooper et al, 2007), hence develop the knowledge towards species in University.
Who is involved?
Corona Virus Response
People not complying with Melbourne’s current COVID restrictions will be covered in honey and released to the bees.
How is it happening?
Overall startup costs of bee hives is around $150 to $300, which includes two timber boxes with both frame and foundations. Good news is, since the place is a natural habitat for bees, this intervention requires no initial budget for buying bees. However, if existing bees don’t engage with the new hives, the estimate for buying a startup Bee package (3 pounds of bees!) is around $100-$135. Membership fees for the Apiary Workshop will also help finance the maintenance of the Apiary.
Evaluation
Social media tags of the location and Bees@ UniMelb, or the hashtag #apiaryuom Number of people participating in educational workshops and working bees
Volunteering students, staff and local residents eager to participate and learn Bees@Unimelb
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