Community Beehive

Building a Honeybee Habitat At Zinsser’s Community Garden

Bloomberg Philanthropies YCAF Microgrant Report

Project Description

Create a honeybee habitat with two hives. Construct a secure, fenced enclosure to ensure safe care for the bees and protect the area. Add clear signage to highlight the purpose of this new space and its role in supporting local bees.

Outputs 

Confirmed an ideal location for the hives within Zinsser Garden (southeast side), in consultation with Brooks Ballard and Nicole Higgins.

• Defined and roughed out the dimensions of the site (approx. 15’ x 18’).

• Excavated and leveled the designated space.

• Measured and calculated the number of fence posts required.

• Purchased wood, fencing, and hardware (screws, brackets, hinges, padlock) from Home Depot and other local suppliers.

• Designed and built a 15’ x 18’ secure and enclosed fenced area with a lockable fence gate.

• Installed a weed-suppressing barrier (e.g., Pro-Shield fabric) to prepare the ground.

• Laid wood chips, gravel, or stone around the enclosure to suppress weeds and support long-term maintenance, while reserving outside space for pollinator plants.

• Constructed two stable hive stands and a work table capable of supporting two beehives.

• Leveled and secured the area beneath the hive stands to ensure hive stability.

• Created and installed educational signage about honeybees and pollinators.

• Scheduled and purchased delivery of honeybee hives for Spring 2026, the optimal season for establishing colonies.

• Developed a seasonal care and maintenance plan (organized by Molly Roberts. Seren’s mom), with input from local beekeepers and mentors).

Outcomes 

• A beautiful, weed free, protected space that will draw interest and attention to the project

• As a result of consistent, local pollination by honeybees, we expect increased crop yield and healthier flowering plants throughout the garden.

• Biodiversity within the garden will be enhanced, as the bees will support a wide range of species.

• Students and community members will gain hands-on educational opportunities in pollinator ecology and habitat stewardship.

Process

1. Determine location 

2. Obtain permission 

3. Create plans and budget

4. Excavate and level the space

5. Calculate necessary lumber

6. Purchase wood, fencing material and hardware from Home Depot or local suppliers

7. Build a fenced area and lockable gate

8. Apply weed-suppression (Pro-Shield fabric, gravel, wood chips)

9. Construct wooden hive stands to support beehives

10. Create and install educational signage about the role of honeybees and pollinators

11. Purchase and prepare to install the honey bee hives

12. Purchase and order the bees, to be delivered Spring 2026

Lessons Learned

• Building outdoors is not easy, and requires good planning, patience and perseverance

• Measure twice, cut once

• I learned the importance of asking for help, and being gracious and kind for the time others offer

• I also learned that others are excited to help you along the way, with their muscle and their knowledge

• People in our community are very willing to share their excitement about this bee project. I am not alone in this effort

• It's important to stick accept limitation within a set budget, and to plan accordingly

Students Involved

One student Project Leader aged 15-24

Five Total Project Participants (excluding leaders)

One Project Participant aged 15-24 (excluding leaders)

Photo Gallery

Thank You’s

I am grateful for the help and support of Mayor Armacost, Village Recreation Leader Nicole Higgins, Dan Higgins (for bee management), Brooks Ballard, Zinsser’s Garden Ambassador, Eric Zamore (Seren’s Dad), Ford Zamore (Seren’s brother), and Molly Roberts (Seren’s Mom), and  Bloomberg Philanthropies (for funding).