Bee University NYC is proud to partner with the New York Harbor School, a public high school located on Governors Island that offers unique, hands-on marine and environmental science education. Through their Urban Agriculture Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program, Harbor School students explore sustainable food systems and environmental stewardship. As part of this partnership, Bee University NYC is facilitating a semester-long beekeeping education program tailored to Harbor School students, introducing them to honey bee biology, hive management, pollination, and the role of pollinators in urban ecosystems. This collaboration allows students to gain direct experience with urban beekeeping as a green career pathway.

Our beekeeping programming with Harbor School students takes place on the Earth Matter NY Compost Learning Center and Farm, also located on Governors Island. Bee University NYC maintains two honey bee hives on the Earth Matter site, and these hives serve as living classrooms for students to observe and engage in hands-on beekeeping. Earth Matter’s farm provides a rich, pollinator-friendly environment, offering students the opportunity to connect composting, soil health, and pollination within a broader sustainability framework. This site also supports our environmental education goals by demonstrating how small-scale farming, composting, and beekeeping can coexist in urban spaces.

This partnership reflects Bee University NYC’s broader mission to expand access to environmental education and green career pathways for youth. By embedding our beekeeping program within the Harbor School’s Urban Agriculture CTE curriculum, students are gaining technical knowledge and real-world skills that align with both academic standards and future job opportunities. The collaboration with Harbor School and Earth Matter NY not only strengthens our impact on Governors Island but also models what place-based, cross-sector partnerships can look like in building the next generation of environmental leaders.