When Brian Peterson first fell in love with beekeeping, he had no idea it would lead to 225 thriving hives across Detroit rooftops, gardens, and green spaces. Now, through Bees in the D, he and his husband Brian Roest are proving that even in a bustling city, bees—and the people who love them—can flourish.

Since 2016, Bees in the D has transformed Detroit into a pollinator haven, growing from six rooftop hives to over 225 across the city. Through education, conservation, and community partnerships, co-founder Brian Peterson-Roest is proving that saving the bees means strengthening our ecosystems, food systems, and future.

Brian Peterson-Roest, founder of Bees in the D, and Maria Mena, co-founder and CEO of Pollen Keepers of Costa Rica, sat down with CBS News Detroit Thursday to talk about their respective organizations and how they working to support the bee population.

According to the Center for Biological Diversity, the Monarch butterfly has declined by more than 80% in the last 20 years.

In addition to partnering with Chrysler, Bees in the D maintains more than 200 hives in vacant lots and other locations throughout the Detroit metro area. Bees in the D also provides free educational materials for kids, scouts, and bee enthusiasts.