What Bees Need
Images: Pollinator Pads Research Project on Display at Robin Boyd Foundation's House Show.
It has never been more important to design spaces, places and infrastructure to create opportunities for native insects and bees to pollinate local plants. The Monash University Pollinator Pads Research Project is a response to the continued decline of bee populations.
Monash University conducted initial ecological campus investigations to determine the existing broad taxonomic classifications, and more specific target species and taxa. The needs of the pollinators were established including their foraging, nesting and burrowing behaviours, micro-climates and proximities, as well as potential nesting plants and materials and threats.
From there OCULUS researched what insect hotels have been proven to be effective globally, and ultimately established what bees need. The resultant patent pending design was developed with Monash University and fabricator Tony Smith. It was then prototyped and deployed in the field and is intended to be replicable and affordable through mass production using recycled plastics.
