Airports may seem like unlikely allies for biodiversity, but they’re increasingly becoming surprising havens for wildlife. Across Europe and beyond, airport operators are rethinking how they manage land by transforming mown, pesticide-treated grasslands into vibrant meadows that support insect pollinators and native species.

Large areas of airport land are often unused or restricted from development, making them ideal for conservation efforts as long as safety is not compromised. In many cases, swapping traditional landscaping for nature-based solutions helps both biodiversity and budgets. Reducing mowing frequency and avoiding chemical inputs can lower maintenance costs while encouraging native wildflowers and insects to thrive (Gueze & Buijs, 2014).

Zurich Airport, for example, has set aside more than half of its land as natural meadows and wetlands. This includes a 74-hectare protected moorland area, which now provides habitat for rare plants and pollinators (Zurich Airport, 2025). Similarly, Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam has created green corridors planted with white clover and hardy native trees. These self-sustaining plantings enrich the soil naturally and require minimal upkeep—creating a biodiverse landscape that deters large birds while supporting insects (West 8, 2014).

Here in Ireland, PolliKnow is proud to be working with Shannon Airport on a pioneering conservation grazing project. On the 10 acre site  conservation grazing with native Droimeann cattle is being used to keep the meadows open and flower-rich, helping a host of rare orchids and grasses to thrive.

Polliknow is taking this idea local. At Ireland’s Shannon Airport, we have partnered on an innovative project at Thady’s Hill. Here, conservation grazing with native Droimeann cattle is being used to keep the meadows open and flower-rich. This approach was the first use of grazing on Irish airport land, and it’s already helping a host of rare orchids and grasses to thrive.  The project is enhancing the habitat for pollinators while reducing emissions and maintenance costs. Monitoring the impact of these changes is key and PolliKnow’s insect tracking technology is providing data on biodiversity changes over time (Shannon Airport Group, 2025).

With smart design and good science, airports can move from being grey zones to green beacons and Polliknow is helping to make that happen.