Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman made a drastic environmental shift in 2014 when he transformed his massive 124-acre (50.1-hectare) Mississippi estate into a sprawling sanctuary for honeybees.
After learning about the rapid decline of global pollinator populations, the Hollywood star imported twenty-six hives from Arkansas and began a massive landscaping project. His highly publicized efforts to save the insects have recently sparked an unexpected debate among ecologists and entomologists regarding the actual impact of amateur beekeeping.
Importing Hives to a Mississippi Estate
Freeman began his apiary project by bringing the initial twenty-six hives of European honeybees to his large property located in Charleston, Mississippi.
To ensure the insects had an abundant food supply, he hired a gardener to plant vast amounts of bee-friendly flora. The landscaping overhaul included planting numerous magnolia trees, extensive patches of clover, and fields of lavender. He stated his sole intention was to feed the insects and provide a safe habitat.
A Sanctuary Free of Protective Suits
Unlike commercial beekeepers, Freeman maintains a completely hands-off approach to his apiary. He strictly refuses to harvest any honey from the hives.
Instead, he supplements their diet by feeding them a simple mixture of sugar and water. During his interactions with the insects, the actor famously refuses to wear a protective beekeeping hat or an enclosed suit. He stated that he has never been stung while feeding the colonies on his property.
The Expansion of the Hollywood Apiary
Over the following decade, industry updates indicated that Freeman slowly expanded his personal apiary from the original twenty-six hives to approximately forty hives. He has consistently used his vast public platform to advocate for worldwide pollinator conservation.
In May 2025, he lent his voice to narrate a global video for a conservation campaign by the environmental group Re:wild. The campaign highlighted the steep decline in wild bee populations and urged for immediate worldwide protection efforts.
The Scientific Debate Over Honeybees
As Freeman’s story continues to resurface online, it has drawn gentle pushback from the scientific community. Entomologists use his highly publicized farm to highlight a crucial distinction in modern insect conservation. The European honeybees Freeman imported are technically classified as managed agricultural livestock rather than an endangered native species.
Conservationists note that placing dozens of honeybee hives on a single property creates intense competition for local nectar. Scientists warn that this high concentration makes it much harder for truly endangered wild bees to find sufficient food in the surrounding area.
Hollywood legend Morgan Freeman made a big move to save the planet.
He transformed his massive 124-acre (50.1-hectare) estate into a sprawling sanctuary for honeybees.
But his highly praised mission has recently sparked an unexpected scientific debate…🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/UZRzNO8Qt1
— Fascinating True Stories (@FascinatingTrue) February 23, 2026