Natural Beekeeping Summit, NSW (August 23, 2025)
The inaugural Natural Beekeeping Summit was held at Heartlandia in the Northern Rivers of NSW, bringing together passionate voices from across Australia and around the world to celebrate the wisdom and importance of natural beekeeping.
The event opened with a welcome to country, followed by introductions from Renata Gilbert and Sasha Chadwick.
Adrian Iodice, one of Australia's leading Top Bar natural beekeepers, kicked off the summit with an inspiring story of the Bee Family, weaving together the interconnectedness of bees, plants, and people. He was joined by Bianca Walker from Polyforage, who offered a deep dive into the essential role of pollen in honeybee nutrition—highlighting its value in providing amino acids, proteins, and lipids vital for bee health. Their discussions naturally led to themes of agroforestry and the importance of planting pollen-rich flora to support pollinator ecology.
Dr. Marc Cohen followed with a compelling exploration of the historical and cultural significance of honeybees, emphasising their enduring role in evolution.
Throughout the day, the hive energy was palpable—tea breaks and shared meals became spaces for lively conversation, where bee guardians exchanged ideas on advocacy, practical techniques, mechanical processes, and the future of natural beekeeping in Australia.
Day 2 continued the momentum with sessions from Willow Hankinson of Beealive, Dr. Kelley Whitaker, Sasha Chadwick, Simon from Save the Bees, and the inspiring duo Les Crowder and Natalie. Each brought unique perspectives, expanding the collective understanding of bee guardianship.
Thank you to the Natural Beekeeping Summit coordinators for an informative and inspiring event.