The numbers are in. Recent biodiversity research by PlantingSeeds has found its
B&B Highway program creates positive changes in biodiversity richness and abundance at a number of Australian school sites.
Across all assessed sites, pollinator species richness increased on average by 25 to 33 per cent, demonstrating a consistent trend of ecological improvement.
Studies were conducted from 2023 to 2025 at Carlton South Public School, Connells Point Public School, Blakehurst High School and at Yowie Bay Public School in the Georges River area of Sydney, NSW.
Key findings
- Post-planting assessments across schools in the Georges River area demonstrate clear and measurable improvements in biodiversity, particularly in native plant presence, pollinator activity, and overall habitat structure. Native plant species were introduced at all sites during the B&B Highway planting day, most notably at Carlton South Public School, where seven native species were newly established. This increase in native vegetation directly supported a rise in pollinator activity, including the survival of a hive containing 50+ native stingless bees where none had previously been recorded, marking a significant enhancement in local pollination potential.
- Pollinator richness increased markedly at several sites. At Carlton South Public School, pollinator species rose from three to 12 types, while total pollinator abundance grew to over 40 times the previous detection, driven by the establishment of native stingless bees and the appearance of pollen beetles. Non-primary pollinator fauna also expanded, including lizards and multiple bird species, reflecting stronger ecosystem function and enhanced habitat suitability.
- At Blakehurst High School, pollinator richness increased, illustrating that newly planted native vegetation effectively provided additional floral resources, supporting a more diverse and resilient pollinator community.
Across all assessed sites with complete pre- and post- data, pollinator species richness increased on average by 25 to 33 per cent, demonstrating a consistent trend of ecological improvement.
- Plantings of native flowering shrubs and plants increase nectar availability, enhance habitat connectivity and provide critical ecosystem services, such as supporting pollination, promoting insect and bird diversity, and offering shelter for small fauna. Sites where native vegetation was introduced for the first time, particularly Carlton South Public School, showed the most pronounced ecological responses, with clear increases in pollinator activity and broader fauna use of the planting areas.
- Although natural variation in weather, season, time of day, and survey methodology may influence exact counts, the overall trend across sites is clearly positive. The B&B Highway plantings have not only increased native plant and pollinator diversity but are also enhancing ecosystem function, resilience, and habitat connectivity across school grounds.
- Minor fluctuations, such as the slight decrease of one pollinator species at Connells Point Public School, can be expected due to natural variability and have minimal impact on assessing the overall ecological gains.
Collectively, these results demonstrate that the native plantings are delivering sustained and measurable benefits, laying the foundation for long-term biodiversity restoration throughout the Georges River area.
By Sylvette Robinson and Audrey Bell