
Where Art Meets Nature:
Cultivating Community and Creativity with Every Hive
Join San Jose's first bee sanctuary creating opportunities through artistry, education, and ecological stewardship
Andrew Gardner, Founder
Welcome to Bee-hively
Welcome to Bee-hively, where beekeeping transcends traditional boundaries. What began as a single swarm rescue on Alum Rock Avenue has blossomed into a mission to preserve vital pollinators while building bridges between communities.
Founded by Andrew Gardner, our collective transforms ordinary beehives into extraordinary works of art, produces exceptional small-batch honey, and creates meaningful opportunities for both Native American communities and formerly incarcerated individuals. Discover how you can become part of this transformative journey.
Read My Storyš How Bee-hively Works: Four Phases
Spot & Collect
Anyone can report a swarm via our website form or a quick text message. We log the precise location and dispatch trained volunteers equipped with protective gear, smokers, and Langstroth nuc boxes. Our goal: a smooth, minimally invasive transfer that keeps the bees calm and safe.
Nucleus Integration
Once the swarm settles into its new nucleus colony, we monitor its progressāand that's where you come in. Through our subscription, you adopt one of these colonies. From occasional honey samplers to full apiary immersions, you choose how deeply you want to connect with "your" hive.
Creative Collaboration
Our Hive Haven Art Collective welcomes designs from local artists, students, and hobbyists. Each month, community voting selects a standout piece that we print on UVāresistant hive wraps. These artādressed hives pop up at farms, parks, and urban gardensācelebrating bees and sparking conversations about pollination.
Habitat & Learning
Beeāhively goes beyond hive care: we plant pollinatorāfriendly species (e.g., buckwheat, California sage, ceanothus) and host handsāon workshops at schools and community gardens. Our annual Pollinator Festival weaves together field demos, gardening clinics, and honey tastings, reinforcing the link between healthy habitats and thriving bee populations.
Our Services
From hosting beehives on your property to learning about these fascinating pollinators, we offer a range of services to connect you with the world of bees.
Beehive Hosting
Host a beehive on your property and support pollinators while we handle all the maintenance.
Learn More āAdopt-a-Hive Program
Support bees without the backyard by sponsoring a colony in our East Hills apiaries.
Learn More āSwarm Management
Professional swarm collection service that safely relocates honeybees to appropriate hives.
Learn More āEducational Workshops
Hands-on learning experiences about bees for all ages and knowledge levels.
Learn More āThe Bee-hively Brand Family
Discover our interconnected initiatives creating impact through beekeeping, art, and community.
Hive Haven
Our sanctuary apiary located in the East Hills, serving as the hub for our beekeeping operations and educational activities.
Learn MoreBuzz Boxes
Artistic beehives transformed through collaboration with local artists into functional installations that generate conversation.
Explore DesignsHives & Humanity
Our social impact programs focused on creating opportunities through beekeeping for formerly incarcerated individuals and more.
See Our ImpactFeatured Products
Our carefully crafted products celebrate the connection between bees, art, and community.
What People Are Saying
Hosting a Bee-hively hive in my garden has been incredible. Not only are my vegetables thriving with the extra pollination, but I love showing visitors the beautiful artistic hive design.
The Adopt-a-Hive program makes me feel connected to the bees even though I live in an apartment. The honey deliveries are amazing, and Andrew's updates about my adopted colony are fascinating.
Andrew's beekeeping workshop was eye-opening. His patience and knowledge made it accessible for beginners like me, and his passion for creating opportunities for others is evident in everything he does.
Stay in the Loop
Subscribe to our newsletter for monthly updates on bee biology, event announcements, and exclusive honey-pairing recipes.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.