MO Hives brings young people together to learn Green STEM

The MO Hives team installs its apiaries on vacant lots, creating green spaces and revitalizing communities. What began as a group of volunteers that came together every Sunday for a few hours to work in the Blue Hill apiary (which was an abandoned lot for about a decade), has expanded into a paid, youth-focused workforce thanks to the support of the Missouri Department of Conservation. Dr. Pierson has created a paid six-week summer program that allows her to hire young people -- the Nature Action Crew -- who want to learn about beekeeping, conservation and native plants and have a positive impact on their community.