North East Regional Extra

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north east regional extra | April 3 - 9, 2019

nemedia.com.au

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April 3 - 9, 2019

Passion for pollination By KYLIE WILSON A SELF described “neighbourhood naturalist, home gardener and native bee tragic” is urging people across the region to become “citizen scientists” during an upcoming project observing wild pollinating insects. Karen Retra has long been involved in sustainability and environmental education across the North East, but has become more and more passionate about the plight of pollinating insects over the past several years after receiving a beehive as a present from her partner Ralph. She said that once she saw bees in action in and around the hive, her interest in pollinating insects grew as she realised the diversity of species that were attracted to the garden, and she became driven to find out more. Eventually, she joined forces with Dr Manu Saunders from the University of New England (Armidale) to establish the Wild Pollinator Count pro-

ject, which has been going for the past five years. Karen said the project is simple to participate in, and just requires participants to watch any flowering plant in the area for 10 minutes at any time during the count week in April. During the observation, participants are encouraged to count and identify pollinating insects (including bees, wasps, flies, moths, beetles and ants) around the plant, taking photos if they wish, and submit the information to the Wild Pollinator Count website. “It’s all about just raising people’s awareness,” she said. “It’s a really great first step to extend our knowledge. “You’ve just got to slow down and have a look. “It is quite addictive.”

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◆ WHAT’S THE BUZZ: Karen Retra urges people across the region to become citizen scientists during the upcoming national Wild Pollinator Count project. PHOTO: SHANE DOUTHIE

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