There's an added buzz about the region this September, as Western Bay of Plenty District Council gets behind September's Bee Aware Month, with bee-friendly planting.

Western Bay is one of several local councils throughout New Zealand contributing to this year's theme: ‘Feed the Bees'.

This year's theme is ‘Feed the Bees'. Photo: File.

As many as 30 councils are dedicating a patch of land in their community to a bee-friendly garden – supplying a wildflower seed mixture particularly selected to attract bees for pollination.

Council's reserves and facilities manager Peter Watson was approached by the National Bee Association to be a part of the annual awareness month – and jumped at the chance.

'Our district in particular relies heavily on the humble bee,” says Peter. 'We are known internationally for our kiwifruit and avocados – both of which wouldn't exist without bees.

'Supporting Bee Aware Month is something we felt strongly about, and we're encouraging our communities to do the same.”

Council is working with Te Puke Community Garden to showcase it as a bee-friendly garden.

Signs are being put up at the garden to encourage locals to learn more about the importance of bees and how to help them prosper.

'We are also supplying bee-friendly seeds at TECT All Terrain Park, where they are being sown under the fruit trees,” adds Peter.

National Beekeepers Association chief executive, Daniel Paul, says bees pollinate around one third of the food we eat.

'It's important we plant enough food for them to ensure they can continue doing so,” explains Daniel.

"It's fantastic to have so many councils on board, putting their land to good use and helping us promote the good cause.

"Wildflowers brighten up a landscape and provide a vital food source, which is what this year's Bee Aware Month is all about.”

Visit: www.nba.org.nz/beeawaremonth for more information.