Practical Permaculture | Gardening and Intentional Living Big BEE energy - Meet Clancy "the bee guy"
Mar 27, 2025
Clancy Lester, a native bee ecologist passionate about Australian bees, shares insights on creating bee-friendly environments. He discusses the critical role of these pollinators in our ecosystems and how to support them through garden practices. Clancy emphasizes the importance of Indigenous knowledge in conservation, outlines nesting needs, and warns against pesticide use. He also highlights the mental health benefits of connecting with nature, encouraging listeners to engage with local ecosystems and learn from Indigenous perspectives.
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Mimic Natural Nesting Sites
- Create nesting habitat by mimicking natural sites: pithy stems, drilled hardwood, bamboo bundles and retained cuttings work well.
- Leave bare patches of clay or sand for ground-nesting bees and consider terracotta or clay-filled tubes as artificial nests.
Position Bee Hotels For Success
- Hang cavity nests 1–2 meters off the ground and give them shelter from rain by placing them under pergolas or tree branches.
- Face bee hotels to the north–northeast so they receive morning sun, which boosts bee activity.
Plant For Continuous Food
- Plant locally indigenous flowering shrubs, trees and natives across seasons to provide continuous pollen and nectar resources.
- Include myrtaceae, fabaceae (peas), proteaceae and daisies plus useful exotics like lavender and salvias for summer forage.