Protecting Bee Habitat, Building Resilient Community

Living Water Community Center: A Haven for Native Bees
Nestled in the heart of southside, less than a mile from the James River, Living Water Community Center is proud to be a dedicated bee sanctuary spread across a beautiful 3-acre campus. As stewards of this sanctuary, we are committed to providing a natural haven for our native bees, ensuring they have ample space to build homes, forage for food, and nurture their young.

Our sanctuary plays a crucial role in supporting the local bee population and ecosystem, especially in an area affected by heat islands. The proximity to the James River ensures a diverse landscape that benefits our bee population. By creating a verdant and diverse environment, we hope to contribute to the overall health of our local pollinator population and the ecosystem at large.

Throughout our campus, native food sources abound. A diverse array of native trees and shrubs bloom at different times of the year, ensuring a consistent supply of food for bees and other pollinators across the seasons. Nesting sites are scattered throughout the sanctuary for native bees and honeybee colonies protect our rooftop. Visitors can acquire local honey from our campus, directly supporting the sustainability of our bee sanctuary.

Our commitment extends beyond our campus. Our Tree Planting Initiative spreads this pollinator haven throughout the city by planting pollinator friendly trees throughout the Richmond, bolstering the bee population across the urban landscape. This is critical to supporting our bees because large flowering trees are the primary sources of food for bees, and our initiative aims to harness their potential for the benefit of our bee population.

As we continue to expand our bee sanctuary, we envision a future where the City of Richmond stands as a global beacon for how bees and humans can mutually co-exists and support each other.

Join us in our mission to nurture and protect our native bee population, and together, let's cultivate a thriving ecosystem that sustains life and biodiversity for generations to come.