LOCAL bee enthusiasts are looking at setting up hives at FERN in Fremantle to help spread the word about their importance to the environment.

Organiser Ewan Buckley says WA has a rare disease-free environment for bees.

“It’s vital that people understand the importance of bees,” he says, noting without their pollinating power the world would lose one-third of its food supply.

Roger Maddrell didn’t have enough room in his own garden for bees, so he has come along to help with the hives: “What I find most fascinating about bees is that there is always more to learn about them,” he tells the Herald.

Mr Buckley says people are blown away by how much honey a backyard hive can produce.

by CASPER JUST