Urban Beekeeping in Oregon: How Cities are Becoming Havens for Bees
In the beautiful, diverse landscape of Oregon, cities like Portland, Eugene, and Bend are not just known for their stunning vistas, artisanal coffee shops, and unique microbreweries; they’ve also become buzzing with activity of a different kind. Urban beekeeping is the latest trend among Oregon’s eco-conscious city dwellers.
## The Hum of the City
A surprising fact about urban beekeeping, it turns out, even concrete jungle dwellers can create a haven for pollinators. City bees are actually healthier and produce more honey than their country counterparts, a result of diverse city landscaping and fewer pesticide exposures. This is great news for Oregon cities, known for their flower-filled parks, like the Rhododendron Garden in Portland and spectacular rooftop gardens on high-rises in Bend.
City dwellers are transforming their balconies, rooftops, and small yards into pit-stops for tired bees, filled with a variety of local plants like the Oregon grape and mock orange. It’s characteristic of the Oregon spirit – doing what we can, where we are and, as we say, “Making it work”!
## Bees in the Rose City
Portland, lovingly called “Rose City,” is making significant strides in urban beekeeping. Bridgetown’s residents are welcoming bees to their city-dweller lifestyle, and, in true Portland fashion, doing it with flair. Bee hotels (who even knew that was a thing?) are popping up all over the city. Backyard beekeeping has become another testament to Portland’s commitment to local, organic, sustainable living.
The support from the city has been impressive too. In 2014, Portland joined in the Bee City USA initiative, committing to creating sustainable habitats for pollinators. Even local businesses like “Bee Thinking”, providing all-natural hives, and “Honeybee Health Coalition”, focusing on bee health and sustainability, have cropped up supporting the cause.
## Eugene’s Hive For Change
Down in Eugene, that famously crunchy, vibrant city embraced beekeeping like a duck to Alton Baker Park’s pond. A local woman, Katharine Hunt, puzzled about the lack of bees on her property started Eugene Backyard Farmer. The business not only supplies bees and hives, but also educates and advocates for bees – teaching Eugenians how they can contribute to the bee population by simply providing water and planting bee-friendly flora.
Iconic Skinner Butte, celebrated for its panoramic city views is now a haven for bees, thanks to urban beekeepers who’ve set up hives there. I’m sure our founders, Eugene and Mary Skinner, would approve.
## Buzz Around Bend
And let’s not forget about Bend. The dry, juniper-scented air of that glorious high desert city is pulsing with the gentle hum of bees. In Bend, adding a bee colony to your backyard is pretty much run-of-the-mill. Or, if you’re not so keen on having a bunch of bees buzzing around your property, you can sponsor a hive through “Bees Knees”, a local business offering managed beehives.
In Bend’s Old Mill District, even the local REI set up bee hives on its roof – a salute to Oregon’s commitment to blending urban development with responsibility towards nature. ‘Cause in Oregon, we love our wide-open spaces, whether they’re filled with pine trees or skyscrapers.
## The Future of Urban Beekeeping
Urban beekeeping belongs so naturally in Oregon cities, it’s hard to remember a time when rooftop hives, backyard colonies, and bees at our local farmer’s markets weren’t the norm. Businesses, city governments, and ordinary folks have wholly embraced the practice and are reaping the benefits, not just in delicious local honey and healthier bees, but in a stronger, more resilient community working together for a common cause.
It’s pretty safe to bet that urban beekeeping will continue to flourish in Oregon. After all, as the saying goes here, “The bees’ needs, indeed, lead our creed!” So, next time you take that sip of Smith Tea’s Meadow Blend made from locally sourced honey, remember to thank the city bees and the urban beekeepers of Oregon.
As the sun sets over our beautiful cities, painting the sky in hues of honey and bee pollen, it’s evidence again to the remarkable adaptability and resilience of nature and, of course, the love of Oregonians for their land and all that inhabit it. So, why not join the hundreds of urban Oregon beekeepers already making a difference and take up this fulfilling practice that binds us closer to the nature we cherish so much. Bet you’re buzzing with excitement already!