Annie decided to focus on combining her love of the environment, bees, and community to create her CLP “Bee the Change.” Annie recognized how beekeeping is unique in both its significance for the environment and its ability to empower people. After working with her school’s beehives and her own two hives at home, she came to Alzar knowing that she wanted to share these passions with her community.
Annie plans to create a workshop that gives students and teachers at her school the opportunity to learn about bees and pollinator-friendly gardening. Participants will be able to interact with the species firsthand and take home a pot with native seeds to plant.
There were unexpected hiccups, however. The biggest challenge turned out to be working with the bees’ natural patterns. Because beekeeping can’t really happen in the winter season, Annie had to postpone her project to the spring of 2026. Additionally, her school’s bees passed away during her time at Alzar. Annie is now working with the school to bring the beekeeping program back, for her CLP and beyond.
While waiting for the appropriate season for beekeeping, Annie has been working in her school’s plant room, starting to introduce pollinator-friendly seeds that can be planted outside come springtime. She has also been taking beekeeping classes throughout the summer, so she is adequately prepared to teach her community.
After her project, Annie hopes her school will have an increased appreciation for bees. Annie has also considered taking the project back home to Connecticut with her, so that she can teach her elderly neighbors who are interested in gardening about pollinators.