Building a Buzz for Pollinators Through Education and Conservation
Urban Hives, Local Gardens, and Community Partnerships
Bee in the know — our newest newsletter is out!
WE’RE ALL ABOUT POLLINATORS
Bees in the D began with a couple of hives in the heart of Detroit—and things have been buzzing ever since! We work to educate and protect all pollinators—native bees, bumble bees, honey bees, butterflies, beetles, and so many more—because a healthy ecosystem needs a full cast of characters, not just the headliners.
Through our two core pillars—education and conservation—we’re creating a city where people and pollinators thrive together. From revitalizing vacant lots into pollinator-friendly habitats to teaching kids (and curious adults) why these creatures matter, we’re proving that even small wings can spark big change.
THE POLLINATOR EFFECT:
WHAT’S AT STAKE
FRUITS & VEGETABLES
Pollinators are behind one in every three bites of food we eat — including staples like apples, tomatoes, and berries. Without them, entire sections of the grocery store would vanish.
NUTS & SEEDS
Pollinators make almonds, pistachios, and sunflowers possible — powering everything from granola bars to cooking oils. Without them, plant-based diets and global food systems would suffer.
EVERYDAY ITEMS
From cotton tees to your favorite IPA, pollination is behind more of your life than you think. Coffee, perfume, fresh flowers, and even your wardrobe all get a boost from pollinators.
OUR ECOSYSTEM
Pollinators are a keystone of healthy ecosystems, supporting the plants that feed entire food webs. When they thrive, birds, mammals, and countless other species thrive with them.
MEET THE POLLINATORS
Hummingbirds are nature’s high-speed couriers, sipping nectar and spreading pollen while moving faster than your camera can focus. Beauty, brains, and a beak full of purpose. Meet the birds ➜
BEES
Bees come in over 4,000 flavors in North America alone—from bumble to mason to the tiny sweat bee. They’re the MVPs of pollination. Meet the bees ➜
BIRDS
SIDEKICKS
Moths, beetles, flies—these low-key pollinators may not win popularity contests, but they’re out there working the night shift and cleanup crew. Just because they’re not flashy doesn’t mean they’re not vital. Meet the sidekicks ➜
BUTTERFLIES
Pollination isn’t their main gig, but butterflies still help out—gracefully flitting from flower to flower like it’s a garden runway. Bonus: they look amazing doing it. Meet the butterflies ➜
POLLINATORS
ARE IN TROUBLE
HONEY BEE COLONIES OVER TIME — USA
Over the past few decades, pollinators have been disappearing at an alarming rate. Habitat loss, pesticides, disease, and climate change have all played a role, putting nearly one in four native bee species at risk of extinction.
This isn’t just bad news for bees—it’s bad news for our food, ecosystems, and future. That’s why we’re working to reverse the trend through hands-on education, urban conservation, and community-powered change.
OUR IMPACT
NATIVE POLLINATOR SANCTUARIES
We’ve distributed native pollinator homes across Southeast Michigan, creating a connected habitat corridor for solitary bees. This “bee highway” helps native species thrive in urban and suburban spaces where nesting sites are scarce.
12 MILLION BEES REINTRODUCED
We’ve installed more than 225 hives in Southeast Michigan, reintroducing over 12 million honeybees into urban ecosystems. These thriving colonies are helping restore balance to our local environment, one rooftop and garden at a time.
75+ HIVE
LOCATIONS BUILT
From local schools to Fortune 500 campuses, we’ve built partnerships that turn rooftops into pollinator sanctuaries. These collaborations help amplify awareness and show that everyone has a role in conservation.
EDUCATION THAT INSPIRES ACTION
Our hands-on programs, hive tours, and school visits have engaged thousands of students, educators, and residents. Each experience leaves participants with a deeper understanding of how pollinators shape our world.
RESEARCH
PARTNERSHIPS
We partner with researchers at the University of Detroit, Oakland University, and Lawson Health Research Institute to support studies on pollinator health, microbiomes, and strategies to protect them from emerging threats.
REVITALIZED
VACANT LOTS
We’ve turned neglected spaces into biodiverse havens filled with wildflowers and native plants. These gardens aren’t just beautiful—they serve as vital stopovers for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators across the city.
MAKE OUR MISSION GROW
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Volunteer Your Time
Join us for events, hive maintenance, or garden planting—there’s always a way to lend a hand.
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DONATE TO THE CAUSE
Your contributions help fund educational programming, community gardens, and pollinator conservation efforts across Detroit.
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![SHOP OUR MERCH]()
SHOP OUR MERCH
From honey to t-shirts, every purchase supports pollinator protection and spreads the word about our mission.
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SPONSOR A HIVE
Support a local hive with your name or organization on it—perfect for individuals or businesses looking to make a buzzing impact.
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PLANT FOR POLLINATORS
Turn your yard, balcony, or window box into a pollinator paradise with native flowers and bee-friendly practices.
EXPLORE OUR HIVE LOCATIONS
Discover the buzzing heart of our mission—explore the locations of our beehives across Detroit and Southeast Michigan. Each hive represents a step toward pollinator preservation and a greener future. Zoom in, and see how we’re making a difference—one rooftop and garden at a time.
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
100% of every purchase goes back into saving the bees!
Summer Honey
Shop our newest batch of unfiltered honey, ethically harvested from our thriving Metro Detroit hives and packed with the flavor of local wildflowers.
New Summer Merch
Our new merch collection is here! Shop our essential tees, glasses, coasters, and more. Don’t “bee” left out this summer, and act fast!