May 20 is World Bee Day, a day set aside to celebrate bees. World Bee Day raises awareness of the essential role that bees and other pollinators play in keeping people and the planet healthy. It provides an opportunity for governments, organizations, civil society and concerned citizens everywhere to promote actions that will protect and enhance pollinators and their habitats, improve their abundance and diversity, and support the sustainable development of beekeeping. The date was chosen as it was the day Anton Janša, a pioneer of modern apiculture, was born. Janša came from a family of beekeepers in Slovenia, where beekeeping is an important agricultural activity with a long-standing tradition. 

             The theme for 2025 is Bee inspired by nature to nourish us all. The theme highlights that bees nourish everyone, not just in the important role they play in food production but in our broader environment, strengthening landscapes that we can all enjoy every day. The threats to bees are well known – habitat loss, intensive farming practises, diseases and pests are all contributing to stressed pollinators.

           World Bee Day is an excellent opportunity to put bees at the centre of the national conversation for a day and encourage action for improved outcomes for bees.