National Urban Beekeeping Day

National Urban Beekeeping Day celebrated on July 19 every year . In a world increasingly shaped by concrete and steel, bees are quietly at work—pollinating plants, sustaining ecosystems, and even thriving in cities. National Urban Beekeeping Day, celebrated every July 19, honors the growing movement of urban beekeepers who are turning rooftops, backyards, and balconies into havens for honeybees. National Urban Beekeeping Day Also known as National Urban Bee Day. National Urban Beekeeping Day Date: July 19 every year. National urban beekeeping day 2025 is on Saturday 19 July 2025.

📜 History of National Urban Beekeeping Day 🐝

National Urban Beekeeping Day was founded to recognize the importance of sustainable beekeeping practices in urban areas and the people who make it possible.

Who Started It?

This day was initiated by The Best Bees Company, a Boston-based organization that promotes science-backed urban beekeeping across the U.S. Their mission was to raise awareness about:

• The declining bee population
• The role of cities in supporting biodiversity
• Citizen science through hive monitoring

The first observance began in 2022, and the movement has only gained traction since then.  

History of National Urban Beekeeping Day in Detroit

• Founded on December 3, 2019, by Detroit Hives, a nonprofit devoted to transforming abandoned city lots into educational apiaries and green spaces, July 19 was officially designated as National Urban Beekeeping Day.
• Later that same year, Michigan State Representative Jewell Jones introduced House Resolution 141, aiming to formally recognize July 19 as National Urban Beekeeping Day across Michigan.
• The movement traces back to Detroit Hives’ founding in 2017 by Timothy Paule and Nicole Lindsey. After discovering the healing properties of raw honey, they transformed vacant lots into urban farms and educational bee apiaries to combat blight, food insecurity, and inspire community engagement.
• In its early years, Detroit Hives converted seven vacant lots into local apiaries, maintaining around 34 hives by 2019, with plans to expand significantly—including a goal of 200 hives by 2020(National Geographic). By the end of 2023, the nonprofit had grown to manage more than 55 hives across 29+ locations, including botanical gardens and schools, educating thousands of residents through tours and outreach programs.
• Detroit Hives has also played a pivotal role in highlighting urban beekeeping as a means of environmental justice and neighborhood revitalization—engaging local schools, businesses, and youth through their Bee the Change fellowship and environmental programming(SHARE Detroit).
• Their efforts caught national attention through the National Geographic Short Film Showcase, which featured the documentary Detroit Hives, sharing Detroit’s model of urban apiculture and community transformation with a global audience.
• In 2024, Detroit became an official Bee City USA affiliate, with Detroit Hives serving as the community liaison to promote pollinator-friendly policies, signage, native plant gardens, and public conservation events across the city.

Why Detroit Is Central to the Day’s Origin

Detroit serves as the birthplace and symbolic ground zero for National Urban Beekeeping Day. It’s not just where the day was declared—it’s also where urban beekeeping has demonstrated profound community-sustaining impact:

• Converting vacant lots into apiaries
• Educating thousands of Detroiters about pollinator health
• Revitalizing neighborhoods through gardens, schools, and youth programs
• Shaping policies around bee-friendly practices in an urban environment

All these efforts underscore why Detroit is the heart of this movement—and why National Urban Beekeeping Day carries the spirit of Detroit’s innovative approach into cities worldwide.

🌍 Where is National Urban Beekeeping Day Celebrated?

While urban beekeeping exists worldwide, this day is primarily celebrated in the United States, particularly in:

• New York City
• San Francisco
• Boston
• Chicago
• Los Angeles
• And other cities with active environmental communities

However, interest in urban apiculture is spreading globally, including in Canada, Europe, Australia, and even parts of Asia and Africa, where cities are beginning to embrace green infrastructure and rooftop beehives.

Why Urban Beekeeping Matters

Urban environments can actually be ideal for bees due to:

• Lack of pesticides compared to rural farms
• Diversity of flowering plants in parks and gardens
• Stable temperatures from city heat islands

Urban bees are essential pollinators for:

• Home gardens
• Rooftop farms
• Community gardens
• Local fruit trees

They help promote food security, biodiversity, and eco-awareness in densely populated areas.

🎉 How to Celebrate National Urban Beekeeping Day

🧑‍🌾 1. Start Your Own Hive

If local regulations allow, consider setting up a rooftop or balcony hive. Join an urban beekeeping workshop or consult a local bee club.

📍 2. Take a Bee-Friendly Garden Tour

Explore community gardens or botanical parks that use pollinator-friendly planting. Learn about native flowers that attract bees.

🛍️ 3. Support Local Beekeepers

Buy local honey, beeswax products, or handcrafted candles. Supporting small-scale beekeepers sustains urban hive economies.

🎓 4. Host or Join an Educational Event

Attend a local event, bee walk, or honey tasting. Invite guest speakers from beekeeping associations or environmental groups.

🌺 5. Plant a Pollinator Garden

Even a small window box or balcony garden can help. Use native plants like lavender, sunflowers, or bee balm to attract pollinators.

📸 6. Share Bee Love on Social Media

Use hashtags like:

• #UrbanBeekeepingDay
• #SaveTheBees
• #BeeTheChange
• #CityBees
• #PollinateThePlanet

Show off bee-friendly gardens, share bee facts, or post a photo of a hive tour.

🧠 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

❓ When is National Urban Beekeeping Day celebrated?

Every year on July 19.

❓ What is urban beekeeping?

Urban beekeeping is the practice of maintaining bee hives in cities—on rooftops, balconies, or community gardens—for honey production and pollination support.

❓ Do bees thrive in urban areas?

Yes! Contrary to popular belief, cities often provide a more diverse and pesticide-free environment than industrial farmlands.

❓ Is urban beekeeping safe?

Yes, with responsible practices. Most urban hives are kept by certified beekeepers who ensure safety for people and bees.

❓ Do I need a license to keep bees in the city?

It depends on your city or state regulations. Some require registration or permits, while others encourage hobbyist beekeeping with minimal red tape.

❓ How does urban beekeeping help the environment?

• Promotes pollination and biodiversity
• Increases local food security
• Educates people about ecosystem health
• Helps monitor urban pollution levels through bee data

Fun Facts About Urban Bees

• Bees in NYC produce rooftop honey that tastes different based on borough-specific plants!
• Paris houses over 1,000 urban hives, including one on the Opéra Garnier rooftop.
• A single bee colony can pollinate 300 million flowers per day.

National Urban Beekeeping Day is more than just about honey—it’s about sustainability, education, and taking action. Whether you live in a skyscraper or a brownstone, there’s always a way to make space for pollinators and help your city bloom.

National Urban Beekeeping Day 2025