Detroit Hives is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in underserved communities by supporting both people and pollinators. Founded in 2016, Detroit Hives has grown into a regional network of more than 38 active sites across Southeast and South-Central Michigan, transforming vacant and underutilized land into vibrant green spaces that foster environmental stewardship, community pride, and economic opportunity.
Through collaborative partnerships with schools, community organizations, municipalities, and local businesses, Detroit Hives creates meaningful social, environmental, and financial impact. Our work is guided by three core educational initiatives—Bee The Change, Bee In Motion, and Bee Inspired—which engage youth and residents in hands-on learning centered on sustainability, health and mobility, and creative expression. Together, these programs empower the next generation of leaders to reimagine their neighborhoods, care for the natural world, and build a more equitable and resilient future.
Conservation
The bee farms that Detroit Hives creates provide safe homes for bee colonies to live, feed and grow. Bees need our help and protection because they have seen population declines over the past several decades. This may seem insignificant, but it can actually have a huge impact on the world. How? That leads to our second benefit…
Education
Pretty much everyone knows a bee when they see one (or do they?) and oftentimes they run in the other direction. But do you know just how important bees are to our ecosystem? Not only do they produce delicious honey, but they are important pollinators for the bulk of foods that make up our diet. According to The Honeybee Conservancy one in three bites of food we eat gets pollinated by bees. That’s a lot!
We want to change minds about bees so that people come to appreciate them for the incredible workers they are. We educate locals and visitors to Detroit alike through farm tours and school visits to show the public that bees aren’t something to be afraid of. We aim to spread awareness and build support for the conservation of honeybees.
Revitalization
Not only do we want our bees to thrive in Detroit, but we want the people of Detroit to thrive as well. By transforming vacant lots in the inner city, we are cleaning up local neighborhoods and adding value to our community, making them safer and stronger. When we plant gardens at the farms we provide food for the bee colonies and in turn, they pollinate our plants, increasing fresh vegetable harvests for the neighborhood residents. A perfect example of how bees and humans help each other thrive! By starting urban bee farms we are not only rebuilding honey bee populations but rebuilding the beautiful city we call home.