There’s Something Sweet Buzzing in the Air at San Antonio International Airport and It’s Just in Time for Earth Day

CONTACT: Tonya Hope, O: 210-207-1515
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Evelynn Bailey, O: 210-207-1611
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SAN ANTONIO (April 22, 2021) - The buzz at San Antonio International Airport (SAT) is about the new Honey Bee Apiary Program also known as #SATBEEKIND. The airport installed two active bee hives with 40,000 bees to begin the honey-making process on the property. Each hive starts with about 20,000 bees with the potential of growing to 60,000 bees.
#SATBEEKIND is an environmentally conscious program designed to teach children the importance of bees and crop pollination, green living, ignite passion in nature enthusiasts and bring together the local community and airport concessionaires. SAT is partnering with the BASIS San Antonio Primary School in the first phase of this pilot program. The school was approached to plant the pollinator seeds because it already maintains a student garden on its campus. They'll start growing the pollinator plants that will be transferred in the coming months to the airport property.
'This is the first time the airport has ever participated in this type of program and I'm excited about the potential of #SATBEEKIND and the impact that it will have on the environment and the community. We are being good neighbors, creating community awareness of our sustainable practices,' said David Robbins, Chief Development Officer, San Antonio Airport System. To be able to work with both students and educators is just the beginning of this program.
In the future, the growth of the honey bee apiary will provide a source for urban honey that can be shared with travelers with that support of airport vendors and concession programs. The future of this program could incorporate airport honey into concession recipes like signature sauces, beverages, desserts and as gifts for travelers in the airport. 'This is a great example of a green environmental program that could provide a sweet treat for everyone involved,' said Steve Southers, Environmental Services Manager, San Antonio Airport System.
The bees are expected to produce their first batch honey by the end of the year.
As part of Earth Day, the airport is unveiling its Pollinator Runway Seed Packets. These packets include Texas bluebonnets, daisies, sunflowers, lemon mint, standing cypress, black-eyed Susan and Drummond phlox and other plants and flowers that help provide pollinators like honeybees and monarch butterflies. These packets will be distributed to travelers on Earth Day at San Antonio International Airport.
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