The Welsh Beekeepers’ Association (WBKA) is the national support organisation for beekeepers in Wales. It is a registered charity (number 509929) managed by a board of trustees supported by various officers, all of whom are volunteers.
Founded in 1943, WBKA is the umbrella organisation for 19 local associations across Wales. Representatives of these 19 associations, and specialist members, form the WBKA Council which meets three times a year.
The WBKA works to support its member associations, specialist and individual members by:
developing co-operation amongst beekeepers and other bodies, including Welsh Government and other national associations and bodies
improving the standard of bee husbandry by supporting the beekeeping education system in the UK.
We hope our website gives you an insight into the ways in which we support the objects of the WBKA as set out in our Constitution – the encouragement, improvement, advancement and promotion of beekeeping to provide a benefit to the public and the environment throughout Wales.
This presentation explores the forage resources that sustain honey bee colonies and explains why forage quality and availability are central to colony health and productivity. Drawing on research and practical beekeeping observations, we will look at how bees collect and use nectar, pollen, propolis, and water, and how these resources support brood rearing, thermoregulation, communication, and disease resistance within the hive.
The talk also looks at the nutritional value of nectar and pollen, the importance of protein-rich forage plants, and the environmental factors that influence foraging behaviours. Bees are highly skilled at locating rewarding flowers, but the relationship is a two-way one, with flowers being equally well adapted to attract pollinators. That said, some apparently attractive landscapes can function as poor-quality “green deserts”, and as beekeepers, this should be a consideration with our apiary siting.
Suitable for beekeepers of all experience levels, this presentation combines practical relevance with a deeper understanding of the relationship between honey bees and their environment. Lesley Jacques was awarded her Master Beekeeper qualification in 2022 and gained the NDB in 2024. Lesley is Vice Chair of Cheshire Beekeepers’ Association as well as being a founder member of Mid Cheshire Beekeepers.
