What is a Pollinator Pathway?
Public and private pesticide-free corridors of native plants that provide nutrition and habitat for pollinating insects and birds. Even the smallest green spaces, like flower boxes and curb strips, can be part of a pathway.
Want to get invloved, volunteer and make a difference.
Downtown Beaverton Pollinator Pathway
Welcome to the Downtown Beaverton Pollinator Pathway — a self-guided walking adventure through the heart of downtown where flowers bloom, bees buzz, and local businesses help support a healthier habitat for pollinators. Whether you begin at the top of the trail or explore it in reverse, this fun and family-friendly route is designed to connect the community with nature, public spaces, and local favorites along the way.
Your journey begins at the Beaverton Public Library, where colorful pollinator gardens and welcoming green spaces set the tone for the adventure ahead. From there, head across SW 5th Street to the beautiful grounds of First United Methodist Church, a peaceful stop filled with blooms that help feed bees, butterflies, and other important pollinators.
Continue west toward The Alpine Group, where urban landscaping meets pollinator-friendly planting in the heart of downtown Beaverton. Just a short walk away is Holistic Health Clinic, another proud participant in the Pollinator Pathway helping create healthier spaces for both people and pollinators alike.
Next, follow the buzzing bee trail to the whimsical and colorful 1st Street Dining Commons. This is the perfect place to pause, relax, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of downtown. While you are there, don’t forget to peek inside Beaverly’s Tiny Treasure Box — a magical little surprise that visitors of all ages love to discover.
After your break, continue along the pathway to Ickabod’s Bar & Grill, where pollinator-friendly greenery adds life and color to the neighborhood streetscape. From there, make your way to Global Art of Dance, a creative community space where movement, art, and nature all come together.
As you continue your walk, please use caution crossing SW Farmington Road and Broadway Street as you head toward Binary Brewing Co. This lively stop blends local flavor with community spirit and serves as another important piece of the Downtown Beaverton Pollinator Pathway.
Your next destination is Trek Bicycle Beaverton. Carefully cross Tualatin Valley Highway and continue following the winding bee trail as the pathway brings you closer to your final stop.
At last, you arrive at The Round, a signature landmark in downtown Beaverton and the final destination on the route — or the first stop if you are exploring the pathway in reverse. Surrounded by greenery, flowers, and gathering spaces, it is the perfect place to reflect on your journey through one of Beaverton’s most unique community experiences.
The Downtown Beaverton Pollinator Pathway is more than just a walk — it is a celebration of local businesses, community partnerships, urban nature, and the small pollinators that help our environment thrive. Bring your family, snap some photos, discover local gems, and enjoy a buzzing adventure through downtown Beaverton.
Plants by location:
Beaverton City Library and Parks
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Pollinator Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Trees | ||
| Maple | Acer spp. | Early-season nectar for native bees |
| White Birch | Betula papyrifera | Host plant for many moth species |
| Large Shade Tree | Various species | Canopy and nesting habitat |
| Shrubs | ||
| Boxwood | Buxus sempervirens | Evergreen structure |
| Cherry Laurel | Prunus laurocerasus | Spring bloom |
| Perennials & Groundcovers | ||
| Lavender | Lavandula angustifolia | Pollinator magnet |
| Creeping Rosemary | Salvia rosmarinus 'Prostratus' | Bee favorite; year-round bloom |
| Sedum | Sedum spp. | Late-season nectar |
| Yarrow | Achillea millefolium | Native; supports many pollinators |
| English Ivy | Hedera helix | Non-native; consider replacing |
First United Methodist Church
| Plant | Pollinator Benefit |
|---|---|
| Beach Daisy | Low-growing coastal native; long bloom season for ground-level pollinators. |
| Beach Strawberry | Early bloomer; bumble bee favorite; edible fruit for wildlife. |
| Birch-leaved Spirea | Abundant small flowers attract a wide variety of native bees. |
| California Poppy | Brilliant orange blooms; attracts native mining bees and beetles. |
| Cascade Oregon Grape | Early-season bloom critical for mason bees and overwintered bumble bee queens. |
| Cascade Penstemon | Tubular flowers designed for bumble bees and hummingbirds. |
| Cream California Poppy | Soft cream blooms; native bee magnet through summer. |
| Foothills Sedge | Provides nesting structure and ground cover for ground-nesting bees. |
| Hardy Geranium | Long-blooming; visited by sweat bees, mason bees, and butterflies. |
| Meadow Checkermallow | Host plant for specialist native bees; supports checkermallow bee species. |
| Oregon Geranium | Native to Pacific Northwest forests and meadows; supports bees and small butterflies. |
| Red Flowering Currant | First major food source of spring for Anna's Hummingbird and bumble bees. |
| Riverbank Lupine | Nitrogen-fixer; host plant for blue butterflies; bumble bee favorite. |
| Self-Heal | Compact blooms close to the ground; beloved by bumble bees and sweat bees. |
| Sword Fern | Provides shade, moisture retention, and shelter for ground-nesting pollinators. |
| White Meadowfoam | Rare Oregon native; specialist host for the meadowfoam mining bee. |
| Yarrow | Long season; feeds the broadest diversity of pollinators of any plant on this list. |
Alpine Group
| Plant | Scientific Name |
|---|---|
| Beach Daisy | Erigeron glaucus |
| Foothills Sedge | Carex tumulicola |
| Hardy Geranium | Geranium oreganum |
| Riverbank Lupine | Lupinus rivularis |
| White Meadowfoam | Limnanthes douglasii var. nivea |
| Cream California Poppy | Eschscholzia californica 'Cream' |
| Cascade Penstemon | Penstemon serrulatus |
Dining Commons
| Plant | Scientific Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cherry Laurel | Prunus laurocerasus | Evergreen shrub; spring bloom. |
| Creeping Rosemary | Salvia rosmarinus 'Prostratus' | Bee favorite; year-round bloom. |
| Lavender | Lavandula angustifolia | Pollinator magnet. |
| Sedum | Sedum spp. | Late-season bloom for bees. |
| Yarrow | Achillea millefolium | Native; supports many pollinators. |
Pollinator-Friendly Plants Identified
| Plant |
|---|
| Creeping Rosemary |
| Lavender |
| Sedum |
| Yarrow |
Holistic Health Clinic, LLC
| Plant | Scientific Name |
|---|---|
| Self-Heal | Prunella vulgaris var. lanceolata |
| Foothills Sedge | Carex tumulicola |
| Beach Strawberry | Fragaria chiloensis |
Global Art of Dance
| Plant | Scientific Name |
|---|---|
| Foothills Sedge | Carex tumulicola |
Ickabod’s Bar & Grill
| Plant | Scientific Name |
|---|---|
| Yarrow | Achillea millefolium |
| Cascade Penstemon | Penstemon serrulatus |
| Self-Heal | Prunella vulgaris var. lanceolata |
| California Poppies | Eschscholzia californica |
| Oregon Geranium | Geranium oreganum |
Binary Brewing
| Plant | Scientific Name |
|---|---|
| Yarrow | Achillea millefolium |
| Foothills Sedge | Carex tumulicola |
| June Grass | Koeleria macrantha |
| Shiny Leaf Spirea | Spiraea betulifolia var. lucida |
| Fringecup | Tellima grandiflora |
Trek Bicycles
| Plant | Scientific Name |
|---|---|
| Blue Wild Rye | Elymus glaucus |
| Gumweed | Grindelia integrifolia |
| Creeping Oregon Grape | Mahonia repens |
| Goldenrod | Solidago canadensis |
| Shinyleaf Spiraea | Spiraea lucida |
| Douglas Aster | Symphyotrichum subspicatum |
| Streambank Lupine | Lupinus rivularis |
| Prairie Junegrass | Koeleria macrantha |
| Oregon Stonecrop | Sedum oreganum |
| Red Flowering Currant | Ribes sanguineum |
| Baldhip Rose | Rosa gymnocarpa |
| Foothills Sedge | Carex tumulicola |
| Creeping Snowberry | Symphoricarpos mollis |
| Beach Daisy | Erigeron glaucus |
| Hairy Honeysuckle | Lonicera hispidula |
| Fringecup | Tellima grandiflora |
| Shade Phacelia | Phacelia nemoralis |
| Snowberry | Symphoricarpos albus |
Supporting Local Pollinators & Enhancing Downtown Greenspaces
Beaverton’s downtown is buzzing with new life—literally! The Pollinator Pathway Project is a community-driven initiative dedicated to supporting our essential pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, by creating a network of pollinator-friendly greenspaces throughout downtown.
Why Pollinators Matter
Pollinators play a vital role in our ecosystem, ensuring the growth of flowers, fruits, and vegetables. However, habitat loss and pesticide use threaten their survival. By providing connected, pesticide-free green spaces filled with native plants, we can help these crucial species thrive while also making our city more beautiful and sustainable.
Our Goal
The Pollinator Pathway Project connects existing downtown greenspaces with vibrant, pollinator-friendly plantings. Our mission is to:
Increase access to food sources for pollinators.
Enhance downtown greenspaces with native plants.
Educate the community about pollinators and how to support them.
Encourage residents and businesses to plant pollinator-friendly species and reduce pesticide use.
How It Works
Planting Native, Pollinator-Friendly Plants
We are introducing a variety of native flowers and shrubs in key locations to support pollinators year-round.
Educational Outreach
Each participating property will receive a Pollinator Pathway sign, identifying it as part of the initiative. Businesses and residents who complete our educational program may also receive an interpretive sign that explains the importance of pollinators and how to protect them.
Community Participation
Everyone is welcome to join! Whether you’re a homeowner, business, or local organization, you can contribute by planting pollinator-friendly plants and avoiding harmful pesticides.
Join the Pollinator Pathway!
Help us create a more vibrant, eco-friendly Beaverton! Whether by planting pollinator-friendly species, educating others, or volunteering, your support makes a difference.
Want to get involved? Contact the Beaverton Downtown Association to learn more about how you can join the Pollinator Pathway.
Learn more about the national Pollinator Pathway movement.
Download your very own step-by-step pollinator garden planting guide.
My Garden of a Thousand Bees
Discover the diverse species and personalities of bees who live in a British urban garden.
About the Episode
About the Episode
Taking refuge from the coronavirus pandemic, wildlife filmmaker Martin Dohrn set out to record all the bees he could find in his tiny urban garden in Bristol, England, filming them with one-of-a-kind lenses he forged on his kitchen table. See his surprising discoveries in My Garden of a Thousand Bees, premiering nationwide Wednesday, October 20 at 8 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings), pbs.org/nature and the PBS Video app.
The documentary, which kicks off Nature’s 40th season on PBS, follows Dohrn during the COVID-19 lockdown of spring and summer 2020, as he becomes bee obsessed and develops relationships with individual bees. Filming more than 60 species of bees, from Britain’s largest bumblebees to scissor bees, which are the size of a mosquito, Dohrn observes how differences in behavior set different species apart from each other. Eventually, he gets so close to the bees, he can identify individuals just by looking at them.
Viewers will marvel at moments timely captured in My Garden of a Thousand Bees, such as bees laying tiny eggs preparing for the next generation, green-fanged spiders feasting on male flower bees and a female yellow-faced bee attacking a Gasteruption wasp to protect her nest. Other fascinating behavior featured in the program includes two male bees fighting each other over a female, different species of bees competing over territory and one busy bee building a nest with a shell and hundreds of sticks. Intrigued by the intelligence of one particular wood-carving leafcutter bee, Dohrn dubs her “Nicky” and sees life at her level as she leaves a lasting legacy in the garden.