BEEKEEPER “Protecting the Hive of Humanity” 911BEEKEEPERS.ORG.png

connection Well-being empowerment

Through support from the Motorola Solutions Foundation, First Responder Trauma Services Beekeeping Program will further support our everyday heroes, first responders, and the communities they serve. As part of our 911 Navigators program, FRTS offers a therapeutic beekeeping initiative for current and retired first responders and frontline workers, providing a calm, hands-on environment to support healing from trauma and chronic stress. Participants learn hive care, pollinator behavior, and sustainable practices while benefiting from the calming, purposeful nature of working with bees, an activity shown to reduce anxiety and build emotional resilience. This unique program fosters peer connection, promotes mental well-being, and empowers participants with new life skills rooted in nature and sustainability.

Therapeutic benefits

Stress Reduction

The gentle buzzing of bees, the hum of the hive, and the concentration needed to care for it all create a calming atmosphere that eases stress and encourages relaxation.

Mindfulness and Focus

Beekeeping involves careful attention to detail, observing bee behavior, and staying fully engaged in each task, which cultivates mindfulness and a strong sense of being present.

Anxiety and Depression Management

Engaging in the tasks of beekeeping can help redirect attention away from overthinking and intrusive thoughts, offering a sense of relief for those dealing with anxiety and depression.

Sense of Purpose

Tending to a bee colony, maintaining hives, and harvesting honey can foster a sense of purpose and achievement, enhancing self-esteem and motivation.

Green Space

Being outdoors in a natural environment while beekeeping has been shown to positively impact mental health and overall well-being.

Social Connection

Beekeeping can also be a social experience, offering chances to connect with fellow beekeepers, exchange knowledge, and foster a supportive community.

program timeline

Workshops

We hosted two Beekeeping Basics workshops in Fall 2024 and early Spring 2025. These sessions were designed to introduce participants to the fundamentals of beekeeping. The workshops covered the essential skills, key practices, and the many benefits of maintaining healthy hives. In early August 2025, we held another workshop to welcome the bees and had an amazing turnout! Our new 911 Beekeepers were very excited to participate in this hands-on interactive learning experience.

Bee arrival

In August 2025, we were thrilled to welcome our bees, who are now settling into their hives! This marks an exciting step as they acclimate to their new surroundings. Within hours in their new hives, bees typically adjust, and within days, they resume their normal routines—ushering in a productive, healthy season for the bees and our first responders.

Hands-on experiential

Following the arrival and acclimation of our bees, we hosted an engaging, hands-on learning experience. This interactive session provided a unique opportunity to learn about hive management up close and build confidence in practical beekeeping skills. With the workshop now complete, the work begins, both for our first responders and their newly established colonies, as they grow together.