HELP THE BEES
Project Bee Aware Association, INC.
Main Activities
Accepted into the beVisioneers Fellowship!
Katie Choi has been accepted into the 2024 cohort of beVisioneers: The Mercedes-Benz Fellowship. She is excited to participate in a global community of Planet-Positive innovators!
Our Projects
We all depend on the survival of bees and other pollinators.
We need to act for now, and for the generations after us.
Project 1. Bee Policy Making
We will contribute to bee policymaking by influencing stakeholders such as commercial and hobbyist beekeepers, conservationists, scientists, and government agencies.
Project 2. Raising Awareness by Education
We will educate the (non) beekeeping population to raise awareness on the importance of wild native bees vis-a-vis honey bees.
Project 3. Designing and Distributing Wild Bee Garden Kits
We will design and distribute Wild Bee Garden Kits including devices/garden plans to schools located in urban environments such as NYC and Seoul to increase wild bee population.
Project Plans
Phase 1
We founded a nonprofit organization, 'Project Bee Aware Association, INC.,' based in New York to instill a love of conservation and understanding of bees, protect bee species through research and policy proposals, and provide local communities with the tools and knowledge to practice sustainable beekeeping.
We also authored and distributed our bee comic book to more than 40 bee organizations in New York to raise awareness about the importance of bees and the environment and encourage people to incorporate small eco-friendly practices into their daily lives.
Phase 2
We are researching and formulating policy proposals to enhance the biodiversity of bees. Our plan includes interviewing or surveying commercial and hobbyist beekeepers, scientists, conservationists, agricultural stakeholders, and policymakers in the United States and South Korea to map stakeholder interests in bee biodiversity.
Phase 3
We will focus on community outreach by designing and distributing Wild Bee Houzzzing devices and wild bee-friendly garden kits to urban school districts.
Phase 4
We will develop an app to provide information on optimized bee houses for dominant wild bee species and garden plans, including suitable flower seeds for different regions.
Project Diary
Aug 12, 2023
Joined My First Bee Tour
I joined a bee tour at the Green Wood Cemetery on August 12 with Amy, a wonderful beekeeper who was so kind and professional. The bee tour was a great motivation for me to start the 'Bee Aware Project' and 'Derpy's Bee Story' book.
Sep 7, 2023
Joined the Bee Conservancy Community Science Projects
Bee surveys help scientists get a better understanding of what’s happening on the ground, get a clearer idea of the scale of the problem, the number and species of bees, or get sometimes interesting and unexpected data.
Dec 28, 2023
Started the e-Cornell Beekeeping Essentials Course
I started an e-Cornell online course which covers how to get started in beekeeping; how to support colonies throughout the year; and how to identify and navigate scenarios like swarming, Varroa infestations, and queen issues.
Jan 1, 2024
Published the Derpy's Bee Story
I authored and illustrated a bee comic book to enhance teenagers' awareness of the importance of bees and the environment and to encourage them to add small practices to their everyday lifestyles.
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Jan 4, 2024
Founded the Project Bee Aware Association, INC
I founded a non profit organization, “Project Bee Aware Association, INC.” based in New York, for instilling a love of conservation and understanding of bees, protecting bee species by research and policy proposals, and providing local people with the tools and knowledge to perform sustainable beekeeping.
My interest has expanded from honey bees to wild bees, from beekeeping to bee biodiversity.
Jan 14, 2024
Launched Wild Bee Houzzzing Project
My project is a wild bee advocacy campaign aimed at increasing the biodiversity of wild bees, by developing/distributing Wild Bee Houzzzing devices and wild bee-friendly garden kits to urban school districts (i.e., NYC, Seoul). Using Schoolz-for-Bee Houzzzing as a prototype, I will build an app for a wider population. Anybody can order a pre-packaged wild bee hotel/garden seed packet optimized just for the wild bees near their location. I am passionate about giving a buzz to wild bees to promote a globally biodiverse ecosystem in the bee universe.
Jan 29, 2024
Sent Request Emails for Interview and Survey to Bee Associations and Groups
I sent emails to over 40 associations, clubs, and groups of 'New York State Beekeeper Club Directory' to request interviews and surveys.
https://agriculture.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2023/06/beekeeper_club_directory.pdf
Feb 1, 2024
Received Surveys from Beekeepers
I thank Nick Rozak of the Staten Island Meet Up and Richard Schell of the Cayuga County Beekeeper Club for their informative surveys!
Feb 12, 2024
Joined the Monthly Meeting of the Ulster County Beekeepers Association
I thank Mr. Bob Rawluk, the president of the Ulster County Beekeepers Association, for providing a family membership and inviting me to the monthly meeting and Mr. Richard Kurtz, the program director of the association, for the informative presentation!
Feb 15, 2024
Interviewed Mr. Richard Kurtz
I thank Mr. Richard Kurtz, the program director of the Ulster County Beekeepers Association, for making time and the insightful interview!
Feb 22, 2024
Interviewed Mr. John Most
I thank Mr. John Most, the president of the Long Island Beekeepers Association, for making time and the informative interview!
Feb 25, 2024
Attended the Meeting of the Long Island Beekeepers Association
I thank Mr. John Most, the president of the Long Island Beekeepers Association, for inviting me to the meeting and Ms. Jennifer Lund, the Maine State Apiarist, for her academic presentation!
Mar 1, 2024
Interviewed Ms. Amy Grumbling
I thank Ms. Amy Grumbling, a Bee Sanctuary and Educational Event Manager of the Bee Conservancy and a Producer/Videographer/Editor, for her insightful advice on my website and Derpy's Bee Story book!
Mar 5, 2024
Interviewed Ms. Jennifer Lund
I thank Ms. Jeniffer Lund, an Apiarist for the State of Maine, for her insight and advice on urban beekeeping and bee biodiversity!
Mar 11, 2024
Interviewed Mr. Nick Hoefly
I thank Mr. Nick Hoefly, the Master Beekeeper of the Astor Apiaries, for his insightful and informative interview on urban beekeeping!
Mar 26, 2024
Received a Response from Ms. Joan Mahoney
I thank Ms. Joan Mahoney, the State Apiculturist of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Division of Plant Industry and a member of the New York State Beekeeper Tech Team of the Cornell CALS Pollinator Network, for her valuable opinion regarding the interpretation of §161.01 of NYC Health Code!
Mar 28, 2024
Reached out to Seoul Environmental Federation
I thank Activist Young Choi for inviting me to participate in the Wild Bee Investigation Project to be held in Nam-mountain by Seoul Environmental Federation. I am excited to join them during my visit to Seoul this summer!
April 3, 2024
Received a Response from Ms. Maddie Perlman-Gabel
I thank Ms. Maddie Perlman-Gabel at the Division of Environmental Health of the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, for her kind reply that wild bee hotels do not require licensure or permits in New York City!
April 3, 2024
Submitted My Petition to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene of the New York City
I petitioned the Department to amend “bees other than non-aggressive honey bees (Apis mellifera), hornet and wasp” to “aggressive bees, hornet and wasp.” of §161.01(b)(12) of the New York City Health Code. The amendment will not only raise citizens' awareness of the importance of bee diversity, but also encourage their efforts to protect and promote bee biodiversity in our community!
April 3, 2024
Posted My Petition at Change.org
Please support my passion for bee diversity by signing the petition! https://chng.it/5k5hPDGCZM
April 3, 2024
Sent Articles to Community Newspaper
I sent articles on my petition for the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene of the New York City to amend Article 161 of the New York City Health Code to the community newspaper, the Syosset-Jericho Tribune!
April 4, 2024
Shared My Petition to All the Bee Associations and Clubs of New York State
I shared my petition with over 40 bee organizations of the New York State because beekeepers are core stakeholders in the discussion of bee diversity and they have a significant potential to change policies and rules related to wild bees!
April 11, 2024
Started Designing Wild Bee Houzzzing Devices
I started designing my own wild bee house for urban school districts. I need creativity to design a bee house with both practicality and beauty!
April 22, 2024
Publilshed My Article on the Petition in the Syosset-Jericho Tribune
I published my article on the petition, "Now is the time to focus on bee diversity!", in the Syosset-Jericho Tribune!
May 11, 2024
Accepted into the beVisioneers Fellowship!
I have been accepted into the 2024 Cohort of beVisioneers: The Mercedes-Fellowship. I am really excited to participate in a worldwide community of Planet-Positive innovators!
May 30, 2024
Received a Response from the NYC Board of Health about my Petition!
June 20, 2024
Opening Celebration of the beVisioneers Fellowship!
I attended the opening celebration of the beVisioneers Fellowship virtually. I met over 250 unique fellows across the world and had the opportunity to connect with some of them. I'm very excited to begin my activities as a beVisioneer and bring positive change to the world!
July 9-13, 2024
Regional Summit of the beVisioneers Fellowship in Mexico City!
I attended the American Regional Summit of the beVisioneers Fellowship at Mexico City. I met over 70 other fellows based across the Americas and exchanged project info with them. I also got to meet (and talk to) several people from Mercedes Benz itself! I'm very excited to begin my activities as a beVisioneer and bring positive change to the world!
August 1, 2024
First Meeting with the beVisioneers Fellowship Mentor!
I talked with my mentor, Eileen, for the first time! We discussed my goals related to both personal growth and my project. I'm certain that Eileen's knowledge on entrepreneurship will help me greatly as my project develops-- I can't wait for our next meeting!
My interest has expanded to the Political Economy of Environmental Policy!!!
August 15, 2024
Joined the Field Survey of Wild Bees by the Seoul Environmental Federation
I went on a wild bee survey at Olympic Park, Seoul! I learned about some of the Korean wild bee species and took some photos of them - and a fly disguised as a bee... It was a wonderful experience despite the weather!
August 17, 2024
Attended the Opening Lecture on
Bee-Housing and Bee Diversity
I attended a lecture about bees at the Yeouido Saetgang Ecological Park, Seoul. I heard about all kinds of different bee species and how to differentiate between them, and how pesticides and human activity negatively impact them. I even got to see the wild bee house on the roof of the building and saw bees coming in and out of it!
September 8, 2024
Submitted my first Project Milestone!
I finally submitted the milestones for the next stage of my Bee Aware Project to beVisioneer. I'm already excited, thinking about receiving financial, mentor, and expert support from beVisioneer to grow and complete my project successfully!
September 29, 2024
Joined Explorative Tour and Eco Sessions
At the Javits Center, I participated in a tour of its sustainable features, including a green roof and rooftop farm, and joined sessions on urban biodiversity and sustainability efforts as part of a group activity by beVisioneer! I also enjoyed networking and story collection over a cultural lunch, followed by an optional visit to the Climate Art Museum SoHo. The day ended with a debrief session to document insights for a blog post promoting the center's sustainability narrative.
beVisioneers Mentorship Program Continues!!!
Mentorship progress will be updated soon...
