Reviewed by: Nathan Watson
New Pollinator Restaurant + Bee Brew Pub coming to Highland Avenue
Reading time: 3 minutes
If you have traveled around Rhodes Park on Highland Avenue lately, you probably saw the following signs on the median near the back of the park:
- Pollinator Restaurant Being Built Here SOON!
- Butterfly Buffet Being Built Here SOON!
- Caterpillar Spa Coming Here SOON!
- Bee Brew Pub Opening Here SOON!
Where did the signs come from and what do they mean? Read on to learn what we found out.
How we started growing native pollinators plants on Highland Avenue
First, a little background. Back in May of 2024, the recently formed Homegrown Habitat – Birmingham Area Native Plant Group, organized volunteers to plant native plants in the medians on Highland Avenue.
In a first-of-its-kind pilot project, over 50 volunteers successfully installed hundreds native pollinator-friendly plants beginning near Rojo and extending to the Independent Presbyterian Church.
The project was a massive success, transforming the median into a colorful array of native plants that attract bees, butterflies and all kinds of pollinators.
What’s next? New pollinator havens
Why the new signs? Thanks to Alabama Audubon and the Friends of Highland Park, additional Highland Avenue medians will become pollinator havens in the coming months.
“This is a very special opportunity for the city – the pilot median project in front of Rojo started a revolution in Birmingham, and now many other locals want to have their own medians, neighborhood, and yards restored. It’s a great example of a grassroots movement starting very locally and spreading throughout the city.
We hope that the visibility, beauty, and signage will not only encourage more residents to ‘go native’ but will also teach the next generation the value that native plants bring to everyone for a cleaner, more sustainable future.”
Andrew Lydeard, Program Coordinator
Alabama Audubon is slated to plant natives in front of its office on Highland Avenue, while the Friends of Highland Park have secured the median at the back of Rhodes Park.
Hat tip to the Friends group for the clever creative signs.
Get involved
The next planting for medians is likely in March 2026. In the meantime, both groups are enlisting volunteers to help prepare and plant the pollinator-friendly native plants. They are also raising funds.
Want to join them and Homegrown Habitat?
Below are their links:
Also – want to know why pollinators matter and how you can make a difference, check out this unforgettable presentation by Doug Tallamy at UAB in early 2024.
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