The Pollinator Corridor

Recently, I visited Portland, Oregon, where I stumbled across a “Pollinator Corridor” in the Lloyd District, a commercial neighborhood, located in the North and Northeast sections of the city. This is the perfect example of what a win-win situation looks like, where nature and urban life can co-exist harmoniously together. The Pollinator Corridor is planted with native Northwest perennials (e.g., Kinnikinnick, Yarrow, Salal and Milkweed) to provide habitat and food for bees and other pollinators, and includes water features and rain catchment, which I presume is being used to water the landscape and for other non-potable uses. High-rises which house professional businesses, straddle both sides of the Pollinator Corridor. The Pollinator Corridor also provides a respite for weary office workers to eat and recreate outside during breaks. As an added bonus, the Pollinator Corridor, which is very wide, allows both bikes and pedestrians passage. This is a prime example of intelligent urban-planning which all cities can learn from, which contribute to the health and wellness of surrounding populations. For more information, see www.ecolloyd.org

photos by Betty Homer