The Buzz in Oregon’s Cities: Urban Beekeeping
In the gentle ripples of the Willamette River and among the lush Tillamook Forest, you’ll find a peculiar Oregonian twist: urban beekeeping. From the leafy streets of Portland to the rolling hills of Eugene, Oregonians have found a unique ally in the humble honeybee. Driven by love for our buzzing friends and a deep commitment to the local ecosystem, Oregon’s cities are fast becoming havens for bees.
Oregon, known for its breathtaking Crater Lake mirroring cobalt skies and the mighty Mount Hood blanketed in pristine snow, has always been a mecca for nature lovers. Our state prides itself on its commitment to eco-consciousness, and urban beekeeping has become a cornerstone of this dedication.
In Harmony with Bees: Oregon’s Beekeeping Scene
From Southeast Portland’s Sellwood neighborhood to Grant’s Pass, tucked in the Rogue Valley, urban beekeeping is not an unusual sight in Oregon. Community gardens like Zenger Farm and Learning Gardens Lab are setting aside spaces for apiaries and are regularly host to workshops that teach interested folks the A-Z of beekeeping.
On any given day, you might see people in bee suits attending to hives on rooftops of car parks or on the balconies of high rise apartments. Even businesses are getting involved. Have you seen the rooftop of the Nines Hotel or the New Seasons Market lately? Chances are, the sweet honey on your Hendrick’s Hotel rooftop brunch or the one at your local New Seasons store is locally sourced from those very hives!
Bees in the City: The Benefits
Oregonians have long been known for our “green-thumb” mentality. You know we love our rhododendrons and marionberries, right? Well, urban beekeeping is adding a new dimension to our vibrant urban landscapes while contributing to local agriculture. Honeybees pollinate nearby flowering plants, enriching our city parks, backyards, and community gardens. Anchored by the buzzing visitors, our urban green spaces are more biodiverse and bursting with life. It’s not just honey… it’s the sweet hum of a thriving ecosystem.
Take a stroll down the buzzing streets of Hawthorne Boulevard and you’ll appreciate how the vibrant flower beds owe a thing or two to our industrious bee friends. It’s our Oregonian way of saying thanks to these hard-working pollinators.
Bees and Oregonians: A Mutual Love
In Oregon, we tend to do things differently. We prefer our donuts voodoo-ed, and our ice-creams salt & strawed. So, it’s no surprise that we’ve created a unique relationship with our eusocial insects as well.
The Oregon Bee Project, run by passionate local beekeepers in conjunction with the Oregon Department of Agriculture, champions the cause of bees. With programs like the flagship Oregon Bee Atlas, which involves locals in tracking bee species, and the establishment of Bee City USA in Talent, it’s clear that Oregonians are committed to protecting and promoting the health of bee communities.
An Invitation to Join the Bee-environment Movement
Colorful as a sunset over Cannon Beach, and as diverse as the books on Powell’s City of Books shelves, the urban beekeeping scene in Oregon is a movement we should all swarm towards. This passion for the buzzing beauties is now part and parcel of the tapestry of Oregon life, with everyone from hipster hobbyists in Portland to backyard bloom enthusiasts in Bend contributing to the cause.
Is it always clear skies and sweet honey? Well, not always. We, Oregonians, know life isn’t all about catching the perfect wave at Pacific City or having the thrill of skiing down Bend’s Mount Bachelor. There are rainstorms and bee stings along the way. But, at the end of the day, our spirit and love for nature persevere.
So, sip your local BridgePort IPAs, nibble on that artisanal cheese from Rogue Creamery, and consider embracing the local love for bees. Let’s continue to make our cities a haven for bees, and in the process, create cities that hum with life. Just remember, no matter what, let’s keep Oregon buzzing!