To bee or not to bee?

That's a crucial question as the UC Davis Biodiversity Museum Day/Month, Honey Bee Haven and the California Master Beekeeper Program scramble for funds between now and Sunday, Feb. 28.

That's when the UC Davis-authorized crowdfunding drive ends. If you'd like to donate--and they really would appreciate it!---here's how to do just that:

• Biodiversity Museum Day/Month: https://crowdfund.ucdavis.edu/project/24310
• Honey Bee Haven: http://crowdfund.ucdavis.edu/project/24323 
• Master Beekeepers: http://crowdfund.ucdavis.edu/project/24314 

As of Friday morning, only 30 donors have contributed $3,625 or 24 percent of the $15,000 goal of the UC Davis Biodiversity Museum Day/Month.   "The money raised will cover the cost of supplies and student interns who will help us continue science outreach both online and in-person," says Museum Biodiversity Day/Month coordinator Tabatha Yang, education and outreach coordinator for the Bohart Museum of Entomology.  Last year our in-person event occurred just before the global pandemic. Together 13 biological collections welcomed 4,000 people to campus. It involved nearly 300 students, staff and faculty committed to science communication and outreach. This February it had to take place virtually with live webinar talks and pre-recorded activities throughout the month, including some content in Spanish.” 

"Our goal right now is to get 100 individual donations by Saturday when the crowd fund ends," Yang said.  

Those participating in the 2020 Biodiversity Museum Day/Month:  

• Anthropology Museum
• Arboretum and Public Garden
• Bohart Museum of Entomology
• Botanical Conservatory
• California Raptor Center
• Center for Plant Diversity
• Häagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven
• Nematode Collection
• Marine Invertebrate Collection 
• Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology
• Paleontology Collection
• Phaff Yeast Culture Collection
  

About the California Master Beekeeper Program

Extension apiculturist Elina Lastro Niño of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology founded and directs the California Master Beekeeper Program. Wendy Mather serves as the program manager.

The program is raising funds for an online, accessible, 'Beekeeper's Apprentice' course that is educational, engaging and entertaining for all ages.

From the website: "Your donation is a legacy to help ensure the health and longevity of our honey bees. Money raised for our "Beekeepers' Apprentice" course is an investment in science-based knowledge relative to our food security and the health of our environment now and for future generations - let's educate as many people as we can about the plight of our precious honey bees. Together we can bee the change!"

As of Friday at 10:30 a.m., the donations amounted to $16,823 or 67 percent of the $25,000 goal.

About the Honey Bee Haven

Extension apiculturist Elina Lastro Niño serves as the director of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology's Honey Bee Haven, a half-acre garden on Bee Biology Road, next to the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility.  Christine Casey manages the garden and is spearheading the crowdfunding project. 

From the website: "Our goal is $5000 to purchase plants, irrigation supplies, and tools for the Haven to continue our vital mission of inspiration and education about bees and the plants that support them." 

As of Friday at 10:30, the donations amounted to $2345 or 46 percent of the $5000 goal.

For more information, see their websites or the Feb. 1 news story on the Department of Entomology and Nematology website.