Propel is pleased to share that Propel Andrew Street’s High School Beekeeping program has been selected to receive the 2013 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence. Propel Andrew Street was the only school selected to receive an award, which will be presented by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection at its Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s annual dinner in Harrisburg on April 17. This is the highest statewide honor bestowed upon businesses and organizations for environmental performance, stewardship and innovation from cleaning up watersheds, saving energy, and eliminating pollution, to reducing waste and more.
This marks the second consecutive year that Propel Schools has been a recipient of the Pennsylvania Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence. In 2012, the Sunflower garden at Propel Braddock Hills was honored with the same award.
Each year, projects that encourage and promote environmental stewardship and the protection of state natural resources are recognized for their accomplishments and contributions to the conservation of Pennsylvania’s environment.
In the winter of 2009, high school teacher Brandon Keat started a beekeeping club with a few students. “We had a guy from Burgh Bees come into the school and show us documentaries, talk to us and give us help, and then we started building our hives.”
In August 2010, the class became an elective due to increased student involvement. This program has grown from two hives to four and now has 16 participating students and plans for expansion. Several students even make regular visits to the hives when school is out over the summer. The honey produced is available for purchase, and sales of honey and hive-based products have made High School Beekeeping a self-sustaining class.
Learn more about Propel Andrew Street’s Beekeeping program and products HERE, or watch the video below:
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