A Buzzing Revival: Rebuilding the Mudgee Bee Group
Regenerating community, skills, and confidence through hands-on hive inspections, expert-led workshops, and Landcare coordination, inspiring new members and ensuring pollinator knowledge thrives into 2026.
Capacity building - LEP_035_LLC
The issue
The Mudgee Bee Group had experienced dwindling participation and a loss of momentum, threatening the continuity of local pollinator knowledge and community engagement. With fewer active members, practical skills like hive inspections and bee management were at risk of being lost, and the group’s role as a community hub for pollinator health and learning had weakened. Reviving the group required re-engaging experienced members, attracting new participants, and rebuilding confidence in hands-on activities while ensuring the knowledge could be passed on to sustain the group into the future.
The solution
Watershed Landcare revitalised the Mudgee Bee Group through hands-on, back-to-basics events. The September 2025 “A Buzzing Day with Bees” session at AREC combined practical hive inspections with expert guidance from a guest speaker on bee health and biosecurity. By providing structured learning, fostering safe, shared experiences in the bee yard, and highlighting the broader importance of pollinators, the program attracted both existing and new members. Landcare Coordinators played a central role in organising, facilitating, and breathing energy into the group, ensuring continuity and community connection.
The impact
The event strengthened community engagement, renewed member confidence, and re-established the group as a hub for pollinator knowledge and skills. Participants left with practical experience in hive inspections, understanding seasonal bee management, and awareness of threats such as Varroa mite and small hive beetle. New members were inspired to join, and the group’s revived momentum positioned it for sustainable activity into 2026. The event reinforced the idea that bee health is community health and demonstrated the central role of Landcare Coordinators in fostering resilient, active communities of practice.
Learnings
Back-to-basics learning, hands-on experiences, and expert-led sessions rebuild confidence, attract new members, and strengthen community-led environmental groups.
Key facts
- Mudgee Bee Group had declining participation.
- Local Landcare Coordinator reignited the group.
- Hands-on hive inspections engaged members.
- Expert talks attracted new participants.
- Group is ready for sustained activity in 2026.