Native bees and pollinators are declining across the globe, including in Australia, where we are facing a crisis in native bee conservation. Native bees are crucial components of Australia’s biodiversity – there are over 1,700 described species, with an estimated 400+ that are not even described yet! Through their roles as pollinators, they contribute to the flourishing of ecosystems, and their pollination services to wildflowers underpin sustainable and resilient ecological landscapes. Yet native bees face many pressures, including a lack of public awareness.
Dr Kit Prendergast’s research has brought native bees, their plight, and evidence-based ways to conserve them into the spotlight. Her research on native bees in urbanised landscapes has identified key habitat considerations to ensure the preservation of native bees in the places where most people live, work and play. I have identified important flora for native bees, helping local councils, gardeners and landcare groups understand their local native bee assemblages and provide targeted plantings and habitat enhancements. Kit’s research has identified optimal bee hotel design, and provided a world-first demonstration that bee hotels can be used as bushfire recovery tools. She has also developed a framework on designing seed production areas to support pollinators, ensuring quality seed production and biodiverse landscapes. Through my science communication, I have brought native bees into the limelight, including through an award-winning circus science comedy The Birds & the Bees. In addition, Kit has also advanced the taxonomy of native bees, and have described two new species. Her contributions to the science of native bees include 80 peer-reviewed publications, as well as a plethora of content for diverse stakeholders, from children, to farmers, environmental organisations, and research institutions.