Bee Cause

In an interview with Delaware North, Tami Enright, co-founder and executive director of The Bee Cause Project, shares the nonprofit’s mission to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards while protecting our planet’s precious pollinators.

Born of a shared passion for protecting pollinators, The Bee Cause Project has grown far beyond the hive; today, the nonprofit teaches collaboration, inspire curiosity, and foster STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math) skills through discovery-based learning in schools around the world.

Delaware North launched its award-winning “Bee the Difference” campaign in partnership with The Bee Cause Project to promote education and awareness for our planet’s pollinators.   

2025 was the third year of the exclusive campaign, which offered guests at more than 100 Delaware North U.S. operating locations a specially crafted “Bee’s Harvest Margarita” from April 1st to May 20th.

What is The Bee Cause Project, and how did the organization start?   

The Bee Cause Project began with a simple idea: that a single beehive in a school could change the way students see and understand the natural world. Our first observation hive was installed at Sullivan’s Island Elementary in Charleston, S.C., and what started as one classroom’s learning experience has since grown into a movement.   

Our mission is to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards by providing access to pollinator education.   

Nearly 75 per cent of all flowering plants – and one in every three bites of food we eat – depend on pollinators.

What are some examples of your work to protect pollinators and educate them about their importance?    

We’ve awarded over 1,000 Bee Grants to schools across the U.S., funding observation hives and pollinator gardens that bring nature into the classroom. Our literacy program has provided thousands of pollinator-themed books to students, sparking curiosity and deepening understanding.   

We’ve also developed habitat grants that allow educators to create outdoor learning spaces, and we work with local partners to establish larger sanctuaries – such as the one in Puerto Rico created in response to the devastating loss of bees after Hurricane Maria.  

Every initiative is rooted in education, accessibility and long-term environmental stewardship.   

“Bee the Difference” doesn’t just raise funds – it bridges the gap between conservation and everyday action.

How do bees and pollinators impact the food and beverage industry?    

Nearly 75 per cent of all flowering plants – and one in every three bites of food we eat – depend on pollinators. Pollinators make much of the food and beverage industry possible, from apples and almonds to coffee and tomatoes.   

“Bee the Difference” doesn’t just raise funds – it bridges the gap between conservation and everyday action. It brings awareness to the real, tangible ways pollinators support our food systems and empowers employees and customers to be part of the solution.   

Why do you think this partnership has been successful?    

Delaware North brings a genuine, value-driven approach to partnership. From day one, the team has shown curiosity, energy and a true desire to make an impact within the company and in the communities you serve.   

As a global leader in hospitality and foodservice, Delaware North understands just how essential pollinators are to food systems. The connection is natural: without pollinators, many of the ingredients that make our favorite meals and drinks possible – even agave for tequila – wouldn’t exist.   

The campaign’s collaboration with brands like PATRÓN Tequila, whose sustainability practices align closely with our environmental values, only deepens the integrity of this work.  

Ultimately, this partnership thrives because it’s built on shared purpose. We all believe that small actions can lead to big change, and we’re showing what’s possible when environmental responsibility meets creativity, hospitality and education.   

How can Delaware North team members support the Bee Cause Project beyond our “Bee the Difference” campaign?    

Team members can:   

• Plant pollinator-friendly gardens using native plants.
• Avoid pesticides and support organic growing practices.
• Create bee hotels or water stations for pollinators.
• Donate to or volunteer with organizations focused on conservation.

The Bee Cause Project offers resources for individuals and families who want to bring pollinator education into their homes, schools or communities. No matter the size, every effort helps build a more pollinator-friendly world.   

How have you used funds raised through the “Bee the Difference” campaign?   

The funds raised through “Bee the Difference” have a direct and measurable impact on our core programs – and in 2025, those funds will be more powerful than ever by allowing us to provide additional grants to schools and communities.   

Every dollar raised helps ensure that students, educators and communities have access to meaningful, hands-on learning – and that pollinators have the food, water and habitat they need to thrive. This partnership truly turns awareness into action and action into lasting impact.   

Beyond the immediate results of the campaign, what long-term impact do you hope Delaware North’s efforts will have on pollinator awareness and education?   

The impact of a partnership such as “Bee the Difference” goes far beyond what can be captured in numbers. We look at how schools integrate pollinator education into their long-term curriculum and how communities are changing their landscape to make space for pollinators. That’s where the real, lasting impact lives. 

Delaware North’s efforts are already creating that kind of ripple effect. You’re making it easier for people to understand why pollinators matter – and, more importantly, how they can help.   

With partners like Delaware North, we’re building that future – one classroom, one garden, one action at a time.  

To donate, visit https://www.thebeecause.org/donate/.