It’s the end of June, and that means it’s time to take part again in the fun of International Pollinator Week! Pollinator Week, held between June 21st and June 27th, is an annual event celebrated internationally in support of pollinator health. It’s a time to celebrate pollinators and spread the word about what we can do to protect them. Lloyd EcoDistrict has a bunch of exciting ways for you to get involved in this event, including a pollinator themed film screening, a Peace Memorial Park clean-up, learn more below! 

Pollinator Placemaking in Lloyd

In the Lloyd neighborhood, we promote our pollinator’s year round with our Pollinator Placemaking work. Our Pollinator Placemaking projects bring living plants into urban spaces and make sure that those plants support the animals that call this place home. Pollinator spaces in parking strips, bike corridors, and corporate-owned spaces in our EcoDistrict are critical to our ecosystem, food supply, and health. These plantings can help counteract the heat island effect and remove pollutants from the air. Over 30% of the foods we enjoy are dependent on pollinators. We have a vision of a neighborhood where bees find nectar-rich plants on every block, flowers brighten the hard concrete spaces, pollinator populations are bolstered, and rainfall goes to the roots of plants instead of into a storm drain.

One of the Pollinator Placemaking programs in progress is our Pollinator Corridor. A pollinator corridor is a social sculpture that combines ecology, community engagement, and design. We have converted NE Multnomah Blvd – into a bustling environment for pollinator animals and while protecting cyclists and beautifying the streetscape.

Another project you can get involved with is Peace Memorial Park, situated on the Eastbank Esplanade, intersected by one of Portland’s busiest bikeways, and graced with views of the Willamette River. Here, we are taking a forgotten park and forging new relationships with veterans, students, community members (including our invertebrate neighbors) to transform this space into a celebration of unity. 

Lastly, ever wonder how you can make your business or residence more pollinator-friendly? We want to help! We are developing a guide to help property owners and businesses do small and big improvements to the land surrounding their buildings in Lloyd. The guide will help owners and managers make simple switches to plants and maintenance techniques that support sustainable, cost-effective landscaping, increase the use of native pollinator plants, and provide habitat. More info coming soon!

Pollinator Week Activities

For Pollinator Week, join us for some events virtually or in-person! 

This Thursday from 6 PM to 7 PM, attend our pollinator-themed film screening and join in on a conversation about pollinator conservation with panelists from the Xerces Society, Backyard Habitat Certification Program, and director of the film Rose Madrone. Register for this fun and informative event here. 

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Get outside with us this summer! Join us on the mornings of Saturday, June 26th or Saturday, July 17th to help cleanup the neighborhood and maintain Peace Memorial Park.. If you can’t make it out, help us to keep the momentum going by donating to our campaign to fully reimagine Peace Memorial Park.

Happy Pollinator Week!

Tags: Neighborhood Cleanup, Pollinator Corridors, Pollinator Garden, Pollinator Placemaking, Pollinator Week