Finding money to run a ‘bee fostering program’ can be hard. Often personal savings are dipped into but sponsorship is sometimes available.
A connection with Volkswagen Australia was made several years ago when I was commissioned to write articles about wild places. They supplied a car and off I went into the heart of Tasmania and beyond.
After the dreadful bushfire season during 2019 and 2020, many companies – including Volkswagen – offered funding as part of their community engagement initiatives. The wind blew this information my way.
Along the Mid North Coast of NSW was intensely devastated by wildfire, having a catastrophic impact on the habitats – food, shelter and homes – of endemic native bee species in this zone. A submission to VW was sent.
But there’s a glitch. Funding from corporations is usually only available to charities and non-profit organisations. BeeWild’s submission was tabled, supported, and encouraged to be tendered via an appropriate non-profit group or charity. The ANBA supported my proposal and success happened.
“The ANBA’s bushfire recovery program reintroduces Australian native bee colonies into wooded areas – providing them the opportunity to re-establish successfully into our ecosystems – unequivocally supporting the general revival of native bee populations in fire-ravaged areas.”
Up to 50 native-bee colonies are to be installed, annually, back into areas adjacent to bushland on the NSW Mid North Coast, from Bulahdelah to Kempsey, on a foster basis. The program will be self-propelling into the future. The Volkswagen grant-money has been used to acquire additional colonies, buy hive-building supplies and purchase materials for pedestals.
My sincere thank you to the Australian Native Bee Association for the support to facilitate this funding opportunity that otherwise would not have been possible.
From Diane Norris