By Tiffany Chue and Pip Humphries, Sustainability Captains

Monday 20 May was World Bee Day, and to talk about what makes them so special, we had a look at Radford's very own beehive.

Bees are hugely important, especially for their contribution to ecosystem health, their importance for biodiversity, and their role in food security. Nearly two-thirds of Australian agricultural production benefits from bees, but their role in the ecosystem is equally important. Australia is home to at least 1,700 bee species and we're dependent on them to maintain our ecosystems and keep the natural world afloat.

The hive we saw in the Radford College caretaker, Mr Florin Suciu's garden is an Australian invention! The ‘flow hive’ design minimizes the impact of beekeeping on the bees, and it makes accessing the honey a much less stressful experience.

What can you do to help the bees today and every day?

• Put the bee sprays away.
• Stop using pesticides or herbicides and consider the alternatives.
  
• Plant a pollinator flower or garden.
  
• Buy honey or other hive products and support the local Canberra market.
  
• Honey is an alternative to sugar and can be added to tea, coffee and other hot or cold beverages. Why not try this in the staff kitchen?
  
• Use honey when baking cakes, cookies and drizzle over desserts and pancakes. It is also delicious in marinades, sauces and as a BBQ glaze. Ideas for our Food Tech students!
  
• Share the classic honey joys with friends for your next birthday party.
  
• Make your own beeswax products such as candles and lip balm for the school Market Day.
  
• Honey has healing properties and is often used as a natural remedy for sore throats and that lingering cough.
  
• Junior school, consider an educational excursion to the Australian National Botanical Gardens and visit the Bee Hotel that includes little rooms to attract native bees.