Take a closer look at the vibrant plants lining a once-unremarkable Bristol alleyway, and you’ll find them alive with insects. Bumblebees, hoverflies, and ladybirds gather around a mix of catmint, yarrow, geraniums, and anemones. “It’s buzzing with pollinators now,” says Flora Beverley.
Just over a year ago, this alley was a dull, littered dumping ground. Now, thanks to the pollinator pathways project, it’s filled with nectar-rich plants and bee hotels. Colourful murals decorate the walls. A neighbour and her son stop to tell Beverley they watered the plants yesterday. Local residents who helped transform the pathways continue to maintain them.
Beverley, a trail runner and fitness influencer, started the project after a chronic illness limited her time running in the countryside. She wanted to bring more nature into her community and help connect important nearby habitats in Bristol, such as parks and the Northern Slopes nature reserve, with insect-friendly corridors.
The project took off unexpectedly well. In just a year, local groups have revitalised seven alleyways in the south of the city. Most transformations happen over a weekend, with volunteers and mural artists pitching in. Funding comes from small grants Beverley applies for in her spare time—she isn’t paid—as well as street collections and donations from local businesses.
“What’s good for nature tends to be good for people, too,” she says. “We’re lucky to have so many green spaces in Bristol, but they aren’t well connected. Habitat fragmentation is a big issue.”
Scientists report catastrophic declines in insect numbers worldwide. International reviews estimate annual losses of 1% to 2.5% of total insect biomass. Causes vary but include habitat loss, pesticide exposure, and the climate crisis. In the UK, a citizen science survey by Buglife, which monitors insect splats on cars, found a 63% decline in flying insects between 2021 and 2024.
There are many ways to help protect insects, some simple, others more challenging. Prof Dave Goulson from the University of Sussex says creating more pollinator-friendly habitat in cities is “a fairly easy win.”
“We already know urban areas can be surprisingly good for pollinators compared to modern, intensive farmland,” he says. “If we green up gardens, parks, road verges, roundabouts, cemeteries, and little alleys in Bristol, it all adds up. There’s no downside to having wildflowers in our cities. Besides helping biodiversity, it connects people with nature. Kids can grow up surrounded by bumblebees, butterflies, and birdsong.”
The Bristol alleyways project is a local effort, but it’s part of a growing global movement. The term “pollinator pathway” was coined in 2007 by US artist Sarah Bergmann for her project linking Seattle University’s campus to Nora’s Woods with a corridor of native plants.
Since then, a huge network of community pollinator pathways has emerged across 300 towns in 24 US states and in Ontario, Canada. It began in 2017 when conservationist Donna Merrill offered free native trees to people near her hometown of Wilton, creating a pollinator habitat that crossed the Connecticut-New York state line. Merrill was inspired by Oslo’s “bee highway,” a network of green rooftops, beehives, and insect-friendly plants stretching across the city.
In the UK, Buglife is addressing the loss of pollinator habitat on a national scale through…Through its B-Lines network, Buglife is mapping a series of 3km-wide insect superhighways that crisscross the UK, linking the best remaining wildflower-rich areas. For over a decade, the charity has collaborated with farmers, landowners, wildlife organizations, businesses, local authorities, and the public to ensure that at least 10% of each route is planted with insect-friendly flowers.
The B-Lines have already helped species like the bilberry bumblebee in Shropshire and the small scabious mining bee in southwest England expand their populations. Buglife encourages pollinator projects to mark their efforts on an online map of these insect highways, with more than 3,800 initiatives already plotted.
Rachel Richards, the charity’s B-Lines officer, notes that the north-south routes are especially vital for migrating species and those shifting northward due to climate change. “Reconnecting fragmented landscapes builds resilience,” she explains. “With more fires and floods, even important sites can be damaged. But if we have stepping stones of wildflower habitat, insects can recolonize from nearby areas.”
In Bristol, Beverley aims to grow her pollinator pathways project and make it sustainable. Anticipating hotter, drier summers, she has included hardy, drought-resistant plants in the alleyways. Weeds that could block access are removed by hand to avoid herbicide use by the council.
After her social media videos of the transformed alleyways gained hundreds of thousands of views, she plans to create a template for others to replicate outside Bristol. Meanwhile, local residents are keen to maintain the spaces. “Any litter is quickly cleaned up because people recognize it’s a special place we want to preserve,” Beverley says. “It’s a bee buffet, and now pollinators are arriving in huge numbers.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Bee Buffets
What is a bee buffet
A bee buffet is a garden or green space filled with plants that provide food and habitat for pollinators like bees butterflies and other insects
What are pollinator pathways
Pollinator pathways are connected corridors of pollinatorfriendly habitats often created in urban or neglected areas like alleys to help insects move safely and find resources
Why are bee buffets and pollinator pathways important
They support declining pollinator populations boost local biodiversity improve pollination for gardens and crops and make urban spaces greener and more beautiful
Can I create a bee buffet in a small space like a balcony
Yes Even a few pots with pollinatorfriendly flowers like lavender marigolds or salvia can provide valuable food for bees and other insects
What are the best plants for a bee buffet
Choose native flowering plants like sunflowers coneflowers bee balm clover and herbs like thyme or mint Avoid pesticides
Do bee buffets attract unwanted insects or pests
They mainly attract pollinators which are beneficial Proper plant selection and maintenance can minimize unwanted pests
How do bee buffets help the environment
They support ecosystem health by promoting pollination increasing plant diversity sequestering carbon and reducing urban heat
Are bee buffets safe around children or pets
Yes if nontoxic plants are used and care is taken to avoid plants that might cause allergies Most pollinators are not aggressive if left undisturbed
Can I create a pollinator pathway in my neighborhood
Absolutely Start by planting pollinatorfriendly plants in your yard or community space and encourage neighbors to do the same to create connected habitats
What are common challenges when starting a bee buffet
Lack of space poor soil limited sunlight or choosing nonnative plants Start small use containers if needed and select hardy native species
How do I maintain a bee buffet
Water plants regularly avoid pesticides deadhead flowers to encourage blooming and leave some bare ground or nesting materials for solitary bees
Do bee buffets require a lot of water
Not necessarilymany pollinatorfriendly plants are droughttolerant Using mulch and choosing native species can reduce water needs
