Looking after bees that produce delicious honey - yet don't sting - seems like a bee-keeper's dream.
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Yet this is a reality, with native stingless bees doing a great job pollinating gardens and orchards.
And they produce tasty, sugarbag honey.
The key to learning about these productive little creatures lies in joining one of several networks of native bee-keepers.
Now Tocal College will run a native stingless bee course at its Paterson campus on October 15.
College principal Dr Cameron Archer will welcome former CSIRO entomologist and native bee expert Dr Tim Heard to conduct the informative one-day workshop.
"Because our native bees don't sting, they are ideal to keep around children," Dr Archer said.
"We know a number of people keep these bees as a hobby.
"Dr Heard is passionate about native bees and he will bring this passion and knowledge to the day," Dr Archer said.
"In the workshop, Dr Heard will demonstrate the practical skills he has developed running 300 hives.
"And the workshop will include a taste-testing of sugarbag honey as a highlight."
Dr Archer said the workshop would alternate between slide presentations and practical sessions to help participants build a strong foundation of knowledge and hands-on experience.
"For the budding bee-keeper, this workshop will cover all aspects of keeping native bees, including hive design, management, colony propagation and sustainable honey extraction," he said.
The cost for attending the workshop is $150 and it also covers bee nesting and foraging biology, diversity of wild bees and the importance of of bees in natural systems.
Places for the workshop are limited.
For inquiries or to register, ring 1800 025 520 or 4939 8881.