San Antonio has big plans for its new honey bees

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 programme 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.

The Texas gateway is partnering with the BASIS San Antonio Primary School in the first phase of this pilot programme.

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 programme and I’m excited about the potential of #SATBEEKIND and the impact that it will have on the environment and the community,” enthused San Antonio Airport Systems’ chief development officer, David Robbins.

“We are being good neighbours, creating community awareness of our sustainable practices.”

However, to be able to work with both students and educators is just the beginning of this programme, for it is hoped honey harvested from the airport’s honey will eventually be sold the airport’s shops and used in dishes and beverages sold in SAT’s F&B outlets.

“This is a great example of a green environmental program that could provide a sweet treat for everyone involved,” said SAT’s environmental services manager, Steve Southers.

The bees are expected to produce their first batch honey by the end of the year.