World Bee Day on 20 May is the perfect time to help native bees thrive at home.
Native bees are small but mighty. With World Bee Day on 20 May, it’s the perfect time to celebrate the important role they play in pollinating plants that support our local ecosystems, biodiversity and food production. With a few simple changes at home, school or in our community spaces, we can all help create safe havens for them.
Simple ways you can help
Plant natives that flower across the seasons
Choose plants native to the Mid North Coast and aim for a mix that flowers at different times of the year, so bees always have something to feed on.
Some great options include:
- Trees & large shrubs: Coastal Banksia, Swamp Mahogany, Paperbark, Pink Bloodwood
- Medium shrubs: Grevillea, Bottlebrush, Westringia, Tea Tree
- Groundcovers & small flowers: Native Violet, Native Daisy, Lomandra, Native Bluebell
Create places to nest
Many native bees live alone and need small, safe spaces to call home. You can help by:
- Leaving some undisturbed, well-drained bare soil
- Keeping hollow stems, dead wood, bark and leaf litter
- Installing a native bee hotel in a dry, sheltered spot (and keeping it clean)
Keen to get started? Learn how to build your own bee hotel.
Skip the chemicals
Avoid insecticides and sprays where possible. A healthy garden will attract natural predators like birds and beneficial insects, helping keep things in balance.
Add a water stop
A shallow dish or bird bath with stones or sticks gives bees a safe place to land and drink. Keep it topped up, especially in warmer months.
Garden with the climate in mind
Stick with local natives suited to your area, mulch lightly, and water efficiently. Providing shade and shelter can also help your garden cope with heat.
Checkout our Drought Tolerant Plant Finder in our Water Saving Toolkit – you can filter results to recommended native plants for our local region.
The impact
These small actions add up. Bee-friendly gardens help support local biodiversity, strengthen climate resilience with hardy native plants, and reduce chemical runoff into our waterways. It’s a simple way to contribute to a healthier, more sustainable Port Macquarie Hastings region.
Get involved
Want to do more? You can connect with local Landcare or bush regeneration groups through Council’s volunteering programs and be part of caring for our natural environment.
Every garden makes a difference. By planting local and creating habitat, you’re helping native bees – and the ecosystems that depend on them – thrive.
