A small group of volunteers is quietly transforming yards, schools, and public spaces across the community.
The Busy Bee Garden Co-op is a grassroots effort focused on supporting native pollinators, particularly native bees. And that’s an important distinction.
“First, I want to make sure to clarify that our bee conservation efforts are for native bees, of which San Diego County has close to 700 species,” said Busy Bee organizer Chelsea Gastelum of Lemon Grove. “Honey bees are non-native. Native bees do not tend to sting as often as honey bees.”
According to its Facebook Page, it is “a project of the Lemon Grove Garden and Nature Group. Busy Bee Garden Co-op facilitates Lemon Grove neighbors to help neighbors to build pollinator gardens. Our goal is to transform Lemon Grove into a Certified Bee City!”
The idea for the Busy Bee Co-op grew out of Gastelum’s long-term interest in native plants and conservation. For years, she propagated and distributed native plants to encourage others to add them to their yards.
“I have been practicing native plant conservation for many years on my own and grow and give out native plants to try to encourage others to plant native,” she said.
Eventually, she began offering complete plant kits, believing that a single plant wasn’t enough to make a real difference for pollinators. But the first attempt revealed another problem.
“One of the people who took the plant pack from me had all the plants die in the pots because she wasn’t sure how to get started,” Gastelum said.
A conversation at a plant swap led to a new idea: instead of simply giving away plants, why not organize volunteers to help install them?
With some brainstorming, the concept evolved into a cooperative model. Volunteers help transform one yard at a time. Those who receive help can then volunteer at other projects.
Over time, the effort expanded beyond private homes.
“This then led to people using their time volunteering to nominate public spaces, and now we are planting in both homes, schools, and public areas,” she said.
The Busy Bee Garden Co-op describes itself as “a neighbors helping neighbors initiative to create more urban greening that benefits native pollinators by adding in more native plants to our community in a way that makes it financially equitable for all residents.”
Membership is free and flexible. Volunteers contribute a few hours to projects before their own yard is considered for a makeover.
“You can show up at any garden event we are hosting,” Gastelum said. “We now have most of the tools which have been generously donated, and we keep some loaner garden gloves if you don’t have your own.”
The projects have drawn people of all ages and backgrounds. Some enjoy the environmental benefits, while others simply appreciate the social connection.
“We have seen our social gardening be therapeutic for introverts because you can quietly work, or work alongside one other person and chat,” Gastelum said. “It is also great for older people who want to feel connected to the community.”
The group also maintains four free native seed libraries in the city and distributes hundreds of seedlings each year through the Monarch Fellowship program.
Busy Bee volunteers also help educate residents about native pollinators and the role native plants play in supporting them. One challenge, Gastelum said, is correcting common misconceptions about bees.
“One of the big things we see is convincing people that most native bees do not sting,” she said.
Despite those challenges, the effort has already made an impact. The community recently became the first in California to be recognized as an official Pollinator Pathway.
For Gastelum, the most rewarding part is seeing neighbors come together.
“The biggest is seeing people show up and work together,” she said. “I never know how many people will show up. It is all a matter of chance, and I have never been disappointed.”
Busy Bee Co-op volunteers will also be sharing information at upcoming community events, including Earth Day celebrations this spring.
