Bee U NYC: Cultivating Green Communities

Addressing Inequality Through Urban Beekeeping: The Mission of Bee University NYC

Breaking into green careers, those focused on conservation and sustainability, can be a significant hurdle. Statistics reveal a disparity in representation, with women holding only about a third of these positions, and Black and Hispanic/Latinx workers remaining underrepresented. Recognizing this imbalance, Bee University NYC (Bee U NYC) was founded as a non-profit organization dedicated to bridging this gap by engaging urban communities in the green economy through the unique practice of beekeeping.

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Based in Staten Island, Bee U NYC strives to provide experiential learning opportunities to communities that have historically lacked access. The organization’s co-founder and Executive Director, André Ware, emphasizes the importance of visibility, investment, and programming for Staten Island, often referred to as the “forgotten borough,” and highlights Bee U NYC’s role in filling this void.

The organization’s approach to urban beekeeping not only reduces inequality but also empowers young people to become passionate environmental advocates. Programs like Hive Experiences have a far-reaching positive impact, benefiting pollinators and fostering a deeper understanding of environmental stewardship.

The Genesis of Bee U NYC: From Campaign Trail to Community Initiative

The founders of Bee U NYC, all lifelong New Yorkers, were brought together during a City Council campaign. United by the transformative power of hands-on education, they realized how climate change, democracy, and social justice are interconnected and profoundly impact local communities.

Their shared values of equity and access fueled their desire to create real-world learning opportunities for young people, particularly those often excluded from environmental justice conversations. Bee U NYC was established to build a pipeline of not just jobs, but also confidence, connection, and community.

The spark for Bee U NYC ignited during a City Council campaign when André Ware sought creative ways to engage the community. Inspired by the work of Renel Saint Jour, who was managing hives for a Brooklyn-based urban agriculture non-profit, Ware envisioned using honey bees as a tool for community engagement and environmental education. The positive response to a small honey bee initiative during the campaign laid the foundation for Bee U NYC, transforming into a long-term, community-based organization.

Why Bees? An Accessible Entry Point to Environmental Advocacy

Beekeeping offers an accessible entry point into environmental advocacy, leadership, and community connection. By focusing on communities like Stapleton and Park Hill in Staten Island, Bee U NYC makes environmental education more relevant and accessible to those typically excluded from these discussions.

Urban beekeeping becomes a powerful tool for teaching environmental justice, directly connecting people to the land, their food systems, and the overall health of their communities. Environmental justice ensures that every community, especially low-income and marginalized ones, has access to clean air, water, green spaces, and the opportunity to shape their environmental future.

Addressing the Need: Bridging the Gap in Environmental Stewardship

Bee U NYC addresses the multifaceted challenges faced by students in urban communities, who often lack access to green spaces and connection with nature. Studies have shown the importance of nature connection for socio-intellectual development, mental health, and overall well-being.

The organization prioritizes underrepresented groups such as women, LGBTQIA+ youth, and Black and Brown youth, providing them with the necessary education, guidance, and experiential learning to thrive.

Bee U NYC brings environmental education directly into urban neighborhoods, where access to green space, sustainability programs, and hands-on learning is often limited. Urban beekeeping serves as a gateway to environmental science, community leadership, and career paths that many young people never knew existed.

Programs: Cultivating Environmental Leaders

Bee U NYC’s programs are built around three core pillars:

• Environmental education rooted in justice and equity: Providing a foundation of knowledge and understanding.
• Workforce development through the Green Jobs Pipeline: Creating pathways to sustainable careers.
• Empowering community engagement: Helping youth become local leaders and advocates.

The flagship program, the Urban Beekeeping Fellowship, is a months-long program for individuals aged 16 to 24. This program introduces students to leadership, beekeeping, and environmental justice, providing them with a stipend for their participation. Fellows learn about sustainability and advocacy while building valuable career skills, culminating in a graduation where they harvest honey and showcase their knowledge through live hive demonstrations.

Statistics from Bee U NYC’s impact report highlight the program’s success in reaching underrepresented groups, with a significant percentage of Fellows identifying as female and BIPOC.

Workforce Development and Beyond

Bee U NYC also focuses on workforce development, offering graduates opportunities to apply for roles as Program Coordinators or Environmental Educators, connect with partner organizations, or pursue beekeeping apprenticeships.

The organization has hired several Urban Beekeeping Fellowship alumni for well-paying part-time jobs, demonstrating the impact of this model. Many Fellows have gone on to become Program Coordinators and Environmental Educators, marking the beginning of a long-term journey into environmental stewardship and leadership.

Expanding Impact Through Additional Programs and Partnerships

Beyond the Fellowship, Bee U NYC offers Hive Experiences, interactive workshops that allow participants of all ages to get up close and personal with honey bees, learning about pollinators, food systems, and climate.

Community partnerships are also central to Bee U NYC’s mission. The organization hosts events like Opening Day in Maker Park, featuring hive painting, candle-making, and presentations from experts. Bee U NYC also collaborates with organizations like the Gowanus Canal Conservancy and the Lower East Side (LES) Ecology Center for environmental action projects.

Partnerships with organizations like the DJ McManus Foundation, Citizens Committee for NYC, and The Staten Island Foundation have enabled Bee U NYC to expand its reach, launching new cohorts in different boroughs.

The Importance of Pollinators: A Bee-autiful Impact

Bees play a critical role in environmental health, supporting pollination in community gardens, wild plants, and even rooftop settings. Studies have shown that a significant percentage of urban bees contribute to pollinating nearby crops.

By promoting urban beekeeping, Bee U NYC empowers urban youth to improve pollination, protect vulnerable ecosystems, and support the environment. With pollinator populations declining at a rapid rate, this mission is more critical than ever.

Honey bees play an important role in supporting ecosystems, especially in urban settings where pollinator habitats are fragmented. With proper care, honey bees can support pollination for local gardens and green spaces without competing too heavily with native pollinators.

Supporting Pollinators: Simple Actions, Significant Impact

Individuals can contribute to pollinator health by taking simple actions such as:

• Planting pollinator-friendly plants native to their area.
• Avoiding the use of pesticides.
• Offering nesting sites and water sources for pollinators.

Raising awareness about the importance of pollinators and supporting organizations like Bee U NYC are also crucial steps.

Bee U NYC’s programs help young people stay engaged in learning, understand their connection to the environment, and believe that they can shape their communities for the better. Even if students don’t pursue beekeeping, they develop a stronger sense of purpose and interest in science and public service, translating into future environmental advocacy.

Community support is essential to Bee U NYC’s mission. Contributions help the organization maintain its hives, develop new programs, and provide stipends to deserving fellows.