Detroit Hives

Detroit Hives works to create sustainable communities and bee populations by transforming vacant lots into pollinator friendly spaces. The idea for Detroit Hives was sparked in the winter of 2016 when Timothy Paule Jackson discovered that local raw honey was able to cure a cold that no other remedy had. After learning about the medicinal properties of honey and seeing how it was able to provide his immune system the boost it needed, he and Timothy and his partner Nicole Lindsey became fascinated with bees. The couple learned as much as they could, enrolling in local beekeeping classes over the next few months. Both being proud Detroit natives, they recognized the abandoned lots in the city could serve a greater purpose and combined their new knowledge with a need in the community. They bought their first lot in 2017, started their first urban bee farm, and Detroit Hives was born.  

In 2022, with Wyld’s support, Detroit Hives was able to continue their on-going mission by introducing 120,000 honeybees in Detroit’s Osborn community to support pollinator education and conservation, while working to address food insecurity. Plus, they harvested over 80 pounds of raw honey, while leaving behind at least 100 pounds of honey for the bees to eat over the winter. 

"We believe a healthy future for bees reflects a healthy future for humanity. The health of those in our inner-cities, specifically people of color, is often the last to be considered – it’s our mission to change this. By transforming vacant lots into urban bee farms, we revitalize neighborhoods. We’re Detroit Hives, a honeybee education and conservation initiative that engages urban communities in our mission by creating cultural experiences that are both educational and relatable.”  

- Timothy Jackson and Nicole Lindsey, Co-Founders and Directors, Detroit Hives 

 To learn more, or to get involved, head to Detroit Hives’ website.