In the lead-up to the Brisbane West Eco Fest on Sunday, 16 August we are celebrating nature.

The Gap and surrounding suburbs are lucky to be surrounded by beautiful bushland, waterways and incredible wildlife. From Mount Coot-tha to Enoggera Creek and our own backyards, every patch of habitat helps support nature and build a more resilient community.

Protecting our local environment does not require big changes. Small actions, when taken by many people, can create a lasting impact.

And good news – you can learn more at the Brisbane West Eco Fest on 16 August.

Create a wildlife-friendly garden

Our gardens can become valuable refuges for native birds, bees, butterflies, frogs and other wildlife. Planting local native species provides food, shelter and nesting spaces while helping connect larger areas of habitat.

Avoid pesticides and herbicides wherever possible, as these can harm beneficial insects and disrupt natural ecosystems. A few insects or imperfect leaves are often signs of a healthy garden!

Choose plants that belong here

Many common garden plants can escape into bushland and become invasive weeds, threatening local species. Choosing native plants and removing weeds is one of the simplest ways to support biodiversity.

Local bushcare groups and native nurseries are great ways to learn more and contribute to protecting our natural spaces.

Make everyday choices for nature

Before buying something new, consider whether you can repair, reuse, borrow or choose second-hand options. Carrying reusable cups and bottles, avoiding unnecessary packaging and recycling correctly all help reduce our environmental footprint.

Walking, riding a bike or using public transport where possible also helps reduce emissions and creates a healthier community.

Protect wildlife and inspire the next generation

Keeping dogs on a lead where required and cats safely indoors helps protect native animals, particularly birds and small mammals.

Helping children connect with nature is one of the most powerful actions we can take. By exploring outdoors and sharing our love of the natural world, we can inspire future environmental stewards.

Are teddy bears visiting your garden?

Don’t be alarmed, ‘Teddy bears’ are just one of the native bee species that you can find in The Gap, Ashgrove and surrounding suburbs. Other bee species that also frequent our area include leafcutter, blue banded and masked bees, yellow & black or green carpenter bees, stingless bees and homalictus bees.

The bees, just like us, have a diversity of lifestyles. Carpenter bees build burrows in soft wood, blue banded bees build their nests in mud or soft ground, whilst leafcutter bees, neatly snip circles from leaves to line their nests. Stingless bees build nests in hollow tree trunks, and have a queen and workers relying on teamwork and persistence to defend their homes.

Despite their differences, all these native bees provide an essential and vital role in our environment: pollination. As they move from flower to flower collecting nectar and pollen, they inadvertently transfer pollen grains, helping plants to reproduce and supporting biodiversity.

Interestingly, because native bees have adapted to our region’s climate and flora, native bees are often more efficient at pollinating native Australian plants than introduced species.

Meanwhile, blue-banded bees, so called “buzz pollinators,” because they vibrate their bodies to release pollen, are especially helpful for pollinating garden plants like tomatoes and eggplants.

The ‘buzz’ is that the presence of native bees in our urban environments contributes to healthier and more productive ecosystems, from bushland reserves to urban gardens.

The good news is supporting native bees to thrive in our local area is easy. You can plant a native flowering species in your garden, leave a small patch of bare ground for ground-nesting bees, or even install a simple “bee hotel”. In return, these tiny pollinators will keep our suburbs blooming, one flower at a time.

Want to learn more about bees? Come along to Brisbane West Eco Fest where you can meet the team from Urban Native Bees who can teach you more, including how to build a bee hotel. The Bugs Ed team will also be there holding workshops for people of all ages, about all kinds of insects.

Brisbane West Eco Fest

For more:

www.thegapsustainability.org/brisbane-west-eco-fest

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BrisbaneWestEcoFest

Images: Brisbane West Eco Fest 2025; The Gap Sustainability Initiative Inc; Monika Janda; Ed Bennett.
Cover image: Brisbane West Eco Fest 2025