Story
In New Haven and Bridgeport, a transformative initiative led by founder Sarah Taylor—a clinical social worker and beekeeper—has reshaped local community spaces through sustainable beekeeping, environmental education, and youth empowerment. Launched in 2018, the project now operates across nine sites in these cities, establishing over 20 pollinator-friendly garden plots and maintaining 40 honey bee colonies. These sites serve not only as functional apiaries and green spaces but also as dynamic training centers where local youth learn transferable job skills while actively contributing to their communities.
Central to the project is a comprehensive 15‑week training program that has seen eight cohorts of local youth graduate with hands‑on experience in beekeeping, garden management, and ecological stewardship. At sites such as the Arthur Street Community Garden, participants have been involved in constructing and decorating hive boxes—a creative process that reflects both technical skill and artistic expression. This immersive experience helps young people build a renewed sense of purpose, gain valuable work experience, and become active contributors to urban revitalization.
The initiative’s success is built on robust community support and strategic partnerships. Key local organizations—including Huneebee Project, Greater New Haven Green Fund, Dwight Hall, and The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven—have provided essential resources. For example, significant financial contributions from the Greater New Haven Green Fund, sourced from marketplace sales, community-supported agriculture subscriptions, and sponsorships, have ensured that each phase of the project is sustainably resourced. Meanwhile, donated reclaimed building materials from The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven have been used to construct eco‑friendly beehives, and workspace support from Known Co‑Working has facilitated planning sessions and digital outreach efforts across multiple sites.
Volunteer contributions and technical expertise also underscore the collaborative nature of the project. Experts like Bill have dedicated hundreds of volunteer hours to deliver beekeeping training and support instructional workshops, while community leaders such as Barb Nagle and digital media professionals like Julia Goode have been instrumental in managing community outreach and ensuring a seamless flow of information. These collaborative efforts have helped engage more than 2,000 residents through regular educational workshops and community hive checks, fostering local understanding of sustainable practices and the crucial role of pollinators.
The initiative’s work aligns strongly with strategic objectives in three key areas. In environmental education, its workshops and community events nurture an informed citizenry that values sustainability and ecological balance. In youth empowerment, the training program equips young people with real-world skills and work experience, opening pathways to improved economic prospects. Finally, through the revitalization of public spaces and the installation of green, sustainable infrastructure, the project enhances urban climate resilience and improves the overall quality of local public spaces.
By integrating practical training, strategic resource contributions, and strong community partnerships, this initiative offers a scalable model of urban renewal. It stands as a testament to what can be achieved when diverse stakeholders come together under a unified vision—transforming multiple sites across New Haven and Bridgeport into vibrant centers of learning, sustainability, and opportunity that benefit both people and the environment.