Bees’ pollinating presence helps to ensure the vitality of our food systems. 

The work of bees isn’t just happening in fields of wildflowers or quiet suburban gardens. Bees in urban neighborhoods also have an important role to play.

The nonprofit Detroit Hives has turned vacant lots into thriving pollinator habitats and community green spaces. That work includes planting pollinator-friendly trees in neighborhoods that need canopy, beauty and biodiversity. One of the group’s recent projects was at the Finney Community Arboretum and Botanical Garden, which they hope to transform into a thriving community space for pollinators and residents alike.

Detroit Hives Co-founders Tim Paule Jackson and Nicole Lindsey joined The Metro on Monday to discuss their work. 

–Segment produced by WDET’s Amanda Le Claire.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

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We often talk about downtown and Midtown Detroit, and all of the events happening there. But there’s also so much happening in places across the city, including our parks. 

Detroit parks have been a place for gatherings and memories made by generations of people in the city. The parks offer both a chance to connect on the playgrounds for kids and an opportunity to escape, and connect with nature. 

Earth Day is coming up on April 22, and Detroit Parks has a host of events planned from clean-ups at Chandler Park, Belle Isle and so much more. At the end of the month, Friends of Rouge Park will also gather for a hands-on tree planting event.

The Detroit Parks Coalition is a collaboration of community members and park leaders, with the goal to support a health parks system. Communications manager for the Detroit Parks Coalition Ian Solomon returned to The Metro on Thursday to talk about DPC and some upcoming events to keep on your radar.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

More stories from The Metro on Thursday, April 10:

• Navigating an uncertain stock market
• Ryan Patrick Hooper talks Record Store Day, WDET member drawing
• The impact of unrealistic beauty standards on women’s mental health

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.