Student-Led Bee Club Builds Pollinator Garden

A new pollinator garden has taken root at Hopkins, thanks to the efforts of the Beekeeping and Maasai Club. Founded by recent graduate Rik Munshi ’24, the club promotes environmental conservation and global sustainability through projects that support pollinators locally and beekeeping efforts among Maasai communities in Kenya and Tanzania.

What began as an ambitious idea in late fall—to create a pollinator-friendly space on campus—has turned into a successful hands-on initiative. The club’s mission to raise awareness about the critical role of bees and other pollinators inspired students to design and build a garden that supports local ecosystems and fosters community engagement.

A key moment in the project came during a spring field trip to Quinnipiac University’s pollinator garden. There, students volunteered on site and studied the layout and functionality of an established pollinator space. “We learned so much about native pollinators and how to create a garden that truly supports them,” said club co-head Mikoto A. ’26.

With renewed vision, the students returned to Hopkins and, with the support of faculty advisor Ms. Foley and a detailed proposal, began turning their plans into reality. Their work culminated during the school’s Impactathon Week, when they partnered with the Maroon Key Club to build bee houses from wood and paper straws and design educational signage for the garden. A hummingbird feeder will soon be added to the growing space.

Located on campus and already buzzing with life, the garden is more than just a student project—it’s an example of the power of environmental stewardship, student leadership, and cross-club collaboration. Club members hope the garden will become a permanent fixture at Hopkins and continue to grow in the years ahead.