About Us
Welcome to Native Bees in a Box and the fascinating world of Australian native bees.
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What started as a simple Christmas gift—a hive of stingless native bees, quickly grew into a passion and a purpose. As I discovered more about these incredible little pollinators and the joy they bring, I was hooked, and very quickly wanted to share that joy with others.
Turns out, it’s in my genes…
My interest in bees began in childhood, when my father kept a couple of hives in our backyard in the UK. Back then, they were European honeybees, the kind most people are familiar with, and the only bees I was later asked to teach about as a biology teacher in High School. I’m embarrassed to admit I didn’t realise at the time that these honeybees aren’t native to the UK, and that many local bee species were being overlooked.
My father eventually became involved in protecting Britain’s native bees, but by then I had moved to Australia. It was here that I discovered the fascinating world of Australia’s native stingless bees. Having a hive in my own garden brought so much enjoyment and curiosity, and the more I learned, the more I wanted to share that experience with others.
Sharing the wonders of Australia’s native bees, specifically the stingless native bee, became an extension of my lifelong love affair with nature. Whether I’m hiking in the bush, forest bathing, paddle boarding or swimming in the ocean, being in nature is my happy place.
Where it all began.
This is the hive that started it all off. As you can see, the box itself is a bit the worse for wear, but as long as it’s dry and protects its inhabitants from the heat and the cold the bees don’t mind, and after all these years this hive is still going strong!
As I watched my bees and deepened my understanding, I became more aware of the challenges bees face—from habitat loss and chemical use to extreme weather events like bushfires and floods. This inspired me to create this social enterprise: to help raise awareness of Australia’s native bees, celebrate their importance, and encourage others to play a small part in protecting them.
Stingless native bees offer an opportunity to interact with nature in a unique and special way. Spending time observing these tiny bees reminds us to slow down, reconnect with nature, and recognise our role in protecting it for future generations.
