TODAY IS WORLD BEE DAY
Every day is World Bee Day. Bees are so cool and we need them more than they need us.
Bees are essential to food security, biodiversity and ecosystem health. Without them and other pollinating species, life on Earth would not be the same (and not in a good way). Please consider setting up a hive (with me), or planting native trees and flowers (no weed sprays!) to support your local neighbourhood bees. Let’s create an oasis to bring back the buzz.
I’ve made some products see on @beaswax_, all profits go directly back to the bees for bee saving, hive equipment and education (shop: https://beaswax.bigcartel.com/ and also Save the Bees Australia https://www.beethecure.com.au/
Parts of South West China are already hand pollinating their fruit trees (this means using a paint brush and pollen to every individual flower and climbing trees to the highest blossoms) as bees have been eradicated by spraying and lack of natural habitat.
Latest update (SPRAYING IS HAPPENING NOW: MAY, JUNE, JULY 2022)
After speaking to the Mid Coast council yesterday we have been told that drone spraying has now taken place in the area until the end of June. The spraying has started by drone and they are using Glyphosate (roundup). Even though it is a herbicide, this has been banned in 33 countries.
Glyphosate is a herbicide that isn’t meant to kill insects, but it does. Studies have shown that glyphosate may also be having devastating effect on the environment and be harmful to fish, crustaceans, and amphibians, as well as to beneficial bacteria and other microorganisms in soil and water. It also breaks down the bees immune systems and smoothers them. Other research shows the common herbicide increases the risk of cancer in humans. In 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans”.
https://biodx.co/28-countries-ban-the-use-of-glyphosate-key-ingredient-in-roundup/
Location: They have told us that they are spraying now in Harrington, and then moving down the coast to the following areas; Manning point , Old Bar, Wallabi Point, Diamond beach, Red Head - more than 38+km of coastline.
The council have said that no one is to consume any water or swim in any bodies of water for up to 2 weeks after spraying, and that they will be putting up signs in areas that they are spraying in. We saw the devastating effects on marine life and the animals and insects in the area (bees included!). There are more than 304+ native bees in this area.
They have released a notice here: https://www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/Public-Notices/Herbicide-spraying
“We will be carrying out a range of herbicide spraying activities in various waterways, open drains, and retention ponds; on roadsides and reserves; and on sporting fields, parks, pools surrounds, cemeteries and Council building surrounds within the entire MidCoast region during the months of May, June and July 2022.
On the roadsides and reserves, subject to availability and need, registered herbicides Weedmaster Duo, Sixgun 360, Biochoice 360, Glymac 360 (360g/L glyphosate), and/or Metsun 600, Lynx WG, metmac 600, Kenzon and/or Grazon extra will be used as per the requirements of the label and APVMA off label permit 9907 where applicable.
In various waterways and retention ponds Herbicides Weedmaster Duo, Sixgun 360, Biochoice 360 and/or Glymac 360 (360g/L glyphosate) will be used as per the requirements of the label and APVMA off label permit 9907 where applicable and as a precaution residents are advised to refrain from using, drinking or swimming in the water for two weeks following treatments.”
Please share this petition today and/or contact the Mid Coast council - this needs to stop we need to protect our bees.
Midcoast Council
P: 02 7955 7777
E: council@midcoast.nsw.gov.au
Parks NSW
P: 1300 361 967
E: info@environment.nsw.gov.au