The theme for this year’s national week of awareness is Celebrating Diversity: Spotlighting pollinators of every shape and size, encouraging action to support Australia’s more than 2,000 species of native bees, along with hoverflies, moths, butterflies, beetles and other pollinators.

The nine-day festival, which kicks off on 8 November, encourages communities to consider the critical role of pollinators in the environment and to take part in activities including the Australian Pollinator Count, the Wheen Bee Foundation’s Pollinator Photography Competition and School Pollinator Art Competition, Pollinator Picnics, webinars and more.

Australian Pollinator Week was founded in 2015 by Australian native bee specialist Dr Megan Halcroft to grow awareness of the importance of insect pollinators.

“Australian Pollinator Week encourages communities to connect and appreciate the vital role pollinators play in sustaining biodiversity,” Dr Halcroft said.

“Every year I’m impressed by how simple actions, such as planting native flowers or creating habitat, can have a big impact.”

This year, Dr Halcroft is chairing the newly established Australian Pollinator Week Steering Committee, formed to strengthen connections across environmental advocacy groups and inspire greater action for pollinators.

The Committee includes Botanic Gardens of Australia and New Zealand CEO Cassandra Nichols, Invertebrates Australia Founding Managing Director Dr Kate Umbers, Landcare Australia Partnerships Manager Trish O’Gorman and Wheen Bee Foundation Program Manager Rowena Danks.

“The Steering Committee unites experts to better understand the far-reaching impact pollinators have on nature,” Dr Halcroft said. “We are pleased to have such a strong Committee representing Australia’s parks and gardens, landscapes and communities, and Australia’s vast insect populations.”

Australian Pollinator Week is coordinated by the Wheen Bee Foundation, and CEO Fiona Chambers said she is pleased to see the national week continue to grow.

“The Steering Committee reflects the vital role pollinators play in our landscapes, and its work marks an exciting new chapter for Australian Pollinator Week,” Ms Chambers said.

“I look forward to seeing more local communities come together to celebrate pollinators.”

Events already listed on the calendar this year include a native bee hotel workshop at Canberra City Farm, a pollinator count with Friends of Kororoit Creek in Melbourne, a science night hosted by native bee expert, Clancy Lester at the Queensland Museum in Brisbane and a planting for pollinators workshop in the Adelaide Hills region in SA.

An annual highlight of the celebrations is the Australian Pollinator Count, which encourages citizen scientists across the country to observe and record pollinator activity in their local area.

“The Australian Pollinator Count helps us understand the status of local pollinators and make informed decisions to safeguard their wellbeing and the health of our ecosystems,” Ms Chambers said.

Register an event for free here: www.australianpollinatorweek.org.au/explore/

For event ideas or to find a local event near you, visit: www.australianpollinatorweek.org.au/explore/