DETROIT (WWJ) -- Many Detroiters have visited the Ren Cen, Huntington Place, MGM Casino and The Whitney…but have you ever ventured up to their rooftops?
If you did, you’d undoubtedly find a great view of the city — but you’d also discover some rather unexpected residents who are working hard to help build a stronger environment for Detroit.
On this episode of The Daily J podcast, WWJ’s Zach Clark and Annie Scaramuzzino suit up with the founder of Bees in the D to learn how this non-profit is spreading everything from awareness about bee conservation to locally-sourced honey across Detroit.
When Detroiters get a bee in their bonnet, there’s really nothing they can’t accomplish.
There’s no better example of that than Brian Peterson-Roest, who’s enthusiasm for these incredible creatures has led him onto some of Detroit’s most famous rooftops, and all across the world.
Beginning as a beekeeping hobbyist about 15 years ago, Peterson-Roest and his husband (also Brian) founded Bees in the D in 2016.
Starting small, they installed six hives that first year. Fast-forward to 2023, and the organization now has over 200 hives at more than 60 locations in five Michigan counties.
Along with the aforementioned locations, hives can be found atop of places like the Albert Kahn-designed Belt Line Center, the Free Press Building, the Foundation Hotel, the Shinola Hotel, Detroit's Outdoor Adventure Center and the Detroit City Distillery, as well as Metro Detroit spots like Leon and Lulu, Birmingham Country Club, Grosse Pointe Yacht Club and more.
CLICK HERE TO SEE AN INTERACTIVE MAP OF HIVES
Locally, Bees in the D has introduced more than 12 million bees into our environment, and transformed otherwise unused spaces into buzzing sanctuaries that are helping to create a more sustainable community.
But Bees in the D isn’t only making an impact in Detroit.
The organization’s model for beekeeping — particularly in an urban setting — has been recognized across the country, and has even brought international visitors to Detroit’s doorstep, as they’ve hosted fellows from Argentina and Costa Rica.
The community outreach and education sectors of the non-profit have been equally as important in creating awareness around why protecting our bees and pollinators is crucial to our ecosystem and overall food production.
Peterson-Roest — a teacher by trade — hosts classes and interactive presentations for all ages, giving Metro Detroiters the opportunity to become a beekeeper for the day, while simultaneously dispelling misconceptions about these sometimes-feared insects.
Bees in the D has placed hives in community gardens to assist with crop yields, advocated for the benefits of beekeeping in city and urban communities, and established themselves as experts in bee removal when a swarm needs to be safely extracted from an unwanted area.
They also maintain the apiaries at Oakland University, University of Detroit Mercy and MLK High School, so students can learn first-hand about honeybees and their conservation.
Meanwhile, Bees in the D has partnered with area businesses such as Detroit City Distillery, B. Nectar, Blake’s Orchards and others, who use their locally-sourced honey in their products. The honey is also available for purchase to the public, which helps fund the nonprofit.
That’s a lot for one organization, but Brian Peterson-Roest takes it all in stride — especially since discovering that other people do indeed, love the bees.
“I kind of call [bees] the new pandas,” Peterson-Roest said. “Remember that big push with the pandas from the World Wildlife Federation? It worked. Pandas are on the uprise.”
“Now the ‘Save the Bees’ campaign has gotten so out there, and we’re just helping people to realize that it goes beyond honeybees,” he added. “All of our pollinators are important and people are starting to understand that narrative as well.”
With organizations such as Bees in the D and programs like the recently-concluded No Mo May, Metro Detroit is moving towards establishing itself as a front-runner in bee conservation, which is especially impressive given the region’s urban landscape.
But as Peterson-Roest reminds us, “Detroit takes care of Detroit,” and that includes protecting our honeybees and their habitats.
“Detroit is amazing and we are becoming a leader in urban beekeeping and urban farming,” he said. “Our honey from hives is used all throughout the city.”
“The grassroots effort in Detroit is like no other,” Peterson-Roest continued. “We don’t just live in Detroit, we’re part of Detroit. We want to support local and I love that in Detroit, that’s a theme.”
In less than a decade, Bees in the D has helped revolutionize way Detroiters think about the city's natural environment, and it's resulting in a more beautiful and sustainable community that will hopefully last for generations to come.
Now that's something to buzz about.
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