How a 'Billion Bees' are helping save koalas

In the wake of the devastating 2019-2020 Black Summer bushfires, which severely impacted Australia's native wildlife, the Billion Bees Foundation emerged in early 2020 with a mission to restore and conserve native bee populations across the east coast. Recognising the crucial role that Australian stingless bees play in pollinating native flora, the foundation has been actively working with bushfire-affected communities in Queensland and New South Wales to reintroduce these essential pollinators to their natural habitats. 

It is estimated that billions of insects lost their lives in the 2019/2020 Black Summer Bushfires. The Billion Bees Foundation, with the assistance of a Federal Government Grant from the Bushfire Recovery Fund, is working to replace as many stingless bee (Tetragonula carbonaria) colonies as they can across New South Wales and Queensland, with 20 severely fire affected regions approved to be in the program, including Port Macquarie.

In late 2024, a collaboration initiated between the Billion Bees Foundation and Koala Conservation Australia (KCA) at our Wild Koala Breeding Centre, located at Guulabaa - Place of Koala, saw the installation of the first 5 hives for our site, with a possibility of more to come.

This partnership involves the installation of native bee hives within our precinct around our koala enclosures, creating a symbiotic relationship that benefits both koalas and bees. The presence of these bees enhances the pollination of eucalyptus trees and other native vegetation on-site, leading to the growth of healthy foliage that serves as vital food sources for koalas. Simultaneously, the secure environment of the breeding centre offers protection to the bee colonies, ensuring their populations thrive.

The Billion Bee Hive boxes have all been custom built by volunteers from Australian Men’s Sheds, to the engineering design specification developed by Master Beekeeper Bob Luttrell. These hives are built to withstand heat, pests, and made to increase airflow to the brood to ensure hive ventilation and health.

The Billion Bee Foundation is also supported by the NSW Aboriginal Land Council. The project to rejuvenate native stingless bee populations is one that aligns with the interests of NSWALC and the network of 120 Local Aboriginal Land Councils in protecting and restoring Australia’s habitat and fauna.

KCA’s Wild Koala Breeding Centre is pioneering efforts to safeguard the future of koalas through its world-first wild koala breeding program. By integrating native bee conservation into our initiatives, we not only support koala populations but also contribute to the broader restoration of the ecosystem. Visitors to Guulabaa – Place of Koala can see our resident koalas, engage with interactive educational exhibits, and learn about the interconnectedness of native species and their habitats. 

This collaboration exemplifies how targeted conservation efforts can foster mutually beneficial relationships between species, promoting biodiversity and ecological resilience in Australia's unique environments.