ENVIRONMENT

Tacoma Pushes Bee City Effort To Protect Pollinators

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Tacoma — Rick Samyn, a 70-year-old beekeeper, runs the L'Honey Program at St. Leo Parish and operates seven apiaries, tending roughly 40–50 hives per site with up to 80,000 bees per hive, totaling about two million bees; this week the mayor has expressed interest in pursuing a Bee City designation to support local pollinators. Samyn described his work and program partnerships with L'Arche Tahoma Hope Farms, while reporting notes native pollinator declines are linked to habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change; city leaders say pursuing the Bee City label could prompt municipal outreach, habitat initiatives, and community engagement in the coming weeks.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

A neighborhood teacher gifted Rick Samyn his first hive, sparking his interest in beekeeping.
Samyn moved to Tacoma and established the L'Honey Program at St. Leo Parish.
The L'Honey Program partnered with L'Arche Tahoma Hope Farms to expand apiaries.
Samyn now operates seven apiaries, tending about 40–50 hives per apiary and roughly two million bees total.
The Tacoma mayor signaled interest this week in pursuing Bee City designation to support pollinator conservation.

Why This Matters to You

Bee populations are crucial for pollination, impacting our food supply. Declines in these pollinators, due to habitat loss and climate change, can affect your grocery bills and meal plans. You can help by planting bee-friendly flowers or reducing pesticide use in your garden.

The Bottom Line

Tacoma's potential Bee City designation isn't just about bees—it's about community engagement and environmental stewardship. It's a step towards a healthier, more sustainable city. Worth forwarding if you know someone passionate about urban greening or food security.