Hearing a queen bee piping is music to her ears.  So is the shimmering sound of the harp.  

Meet Samantha Murray, the newly selected garden coordinator of the UC Davis Bee Haven, a pollinator and demonstration garden installed in the fall of 2009 by the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology (ENT). Although undergoing restoration since last summer, The Haven continues to be open to the public from dawn to dusk. 

Murray is a beekeeper who finds great joy in bees; a UC Davis music major who finds great joy in harp performances; and a garden coordinator who finds great joy in spreading the importance of bees and other pollinators. 

“What I admire most about bees is their remarkable work ethic and the essential role they play as pollinators, supporting ecosystems and agriculture alike,” Murray said. “People can have a kinship with the bees. They can form a kinship by planting such pollinator-friendly plants as lavender, aster, goldenrod, and black-eyed Susans.” 

Murray, who anticipates receiving her bachelor's degree next spring, is a member of the UC Davis-based California Master Beekeeper Program, and a science communicator whose expertise includes establishing and caring for bee friendly gardens in Sonoma County and engaging in outreach programs. 

The Haven is located next to the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility on Bee Biology Road, west of the central campus. Admission and parking are free. 

As the garden coordinator, Samantha collaborates with Haven executive director and ENT faculty member Elina Lastro Niño, associate professor of Cooperative Extension, Apiculture; and beekeeper Joe Tauzer, manager of the Laidlaw Facility. 

“Sam has been an amazing addition to our team and we are so happy and grateful to have her,” Nino said, who founded and directs the California Master Beekeeper Program (CAMBP). “She has done a tremendous job with cataloging the garden, identifying the gaps, pruning, cleaning and helping with kids' outreach programs. She is a joy to be around and I can't wait to continue working with her on restoring the garden.”  

Niño praised Tauzer for his work in updating the irrigation system, and lauded David Fujino, executive director of the California Center for Urban Horticulture (CCUH) “who has been tremendous in supporting us and guiding us on garden irrigation and maintenance, and providing leads on possible sources of funding.” Fujino was involved in the early history of the garden, supporting the plans and providing advice. 

“Sam's enthusiasm for bees, her love of teaching and learning and her commitment to creating bee-uty in the community through stewardship of the Bee Haven is a gift to all of us,” said Wendy Mather, co-program manager of CAMBP. “Sam's vision of the garden's potential is inspiring!” 

CAMPB is a continuous train-the-trainer effort that certifies four levels in the program--Ambassador, Apprentice, Journey, and Master--“so they can effectively communicate the importance of honey bees and other pollinators within their communities, serve as mentors for other beekeepers, and become the informational conduit between the beekeeping communities throughout the state and UC Cooperative Extension staff,” as its website explains.  Murray is working on the Apprentice level, and aims to become a Master Beekeeper. 

Samantha became involved with the UC Davis Bee Haven last summer when she served as a lab technician for Richard Martinez, a graduate student in the Niño lab. “I was assisting with his research on nutritional diets for bees,” she related. “When I wasn't helping Richard, I would stroll through the garden. With my experience creating pollinator gardens in the past, I knew I could contribute by vitalizing the space and bolstering it into a vibrant haven for the bees." 

Expanding Outreach Opportunities

What are some of her responsibilities and plans? “I maintain the garden and manage all of the necessary plant removal and pruning work,” she said. “I work closely with Joe on the irrigation, and as Elina remarked, I work on cataloging the garden, identifying the gaps, pruning, cleaning, and helping with kids outreach programs. Our plans include expanding our outreach opportunities and introducing new plants to the garden, with a strategy in place to monitor their success. Additionally, we aim to incorporate QR codes throughout the garden to provide educational information about specific plants, enhancing the learning experience for visitors.” 

Samantha, who grew up in Sonoma County,  traces her interest in bees to age 7, when she joined a Girl Scout Brownie troop. Her interests soon expanded to pollinator gardens and beekeeping. She became a beekeeper as a sophomore at Santa Rosa High School, and served as  president of the Santa Rosa High School Beekeeping Club for three years. “I focused on coordinating ‘hive dives' with our local Beekeepers' Association experts to help guide us through the many facets of keeping bees,” she said. “I started going to Beekeepers Association meetings with my club advisor and I put my networking skills to use by asking local bee experts to visit and participate in activities with our club.” 

“I learned from the many kind and experienced beekeepers from Sonoma County Beekeepers' Association and the California State Beekeepers' Association, including Rorie Sweeney, Ann Jerub, and Maggie Weaver,” Murray said. “My high school biology teacher, Elaine Dolcini, likewise, was passionate about honey bees and she was a supportive mentor to our high school bee club as we attended all of the local bee club meetings.” 

Murray interned with Conservation Works, a non-profit organization based in Santa Rosa that fosters environmental awareness and action. It seeks “tangible efforts in pollinator protection, water conservation, climate resilience, and the development of sustainable communities.” 

“Within this encouraging setting, I collaborated with Girl Scout troops across Sonoma County, embarking on projects to establish bee-friendly gardens to support local pollinators. This immersive experience ignited within me a profound fascination and connection with bees that would later grow to deepen my interest in apiculture and the greater biology of bees.” 

In the summer of 2021, Samantha received the Girl Scout Gold Award, considered “the mark of the truly remarkable,” according to the Girl Scout website. “Through pursuing the Gold Award, Girl Scouts change the world by tackling issues they are passionate about to drive lasting change in their communities and beyond while they learn essential skills that will prepare them for all aspects of life.” 

In her project, Samantha “addressed the critical lack of knowledge surrounding bees by developing informative presentations aimed at educating youth about the significance of pollinators. By delving into topics such as bee welfare, environmental improvement, and the intricacies of the bee world—from pollination to beekeeping and communication—I sought to bridge this educational gap. To make learning about bees interactive and engaging, I curated bee activity kits containing exciting projects like crafting clay seed bombs for flower planting. These presentations covered a spectrum of bee-related topics, including pollination, bee-friendly planting, metamorphosis, and the vital roles bees play within the hive.” 

While at Conservation Works, Samantha designed and implemented pollinator gardens, and educated the public, including “the young ones” on the importance of pollinator gardens. She praises mentors Oona Heacock, executive director of Conservation Works, and beekeeper-teacher Joan Weir for their inspiration and support. “These kind and knowledgeable mentors have greatly inspired and supported my bee journey, and I'm very grateful for them.” 

In other activities, Murray participated in an episode of the Imagine If podcast, co-sponsored by the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) and the National Geographic Society. “It proved to be a transformative experience for me. Imagine If chronicles the narratives of high school students grappling with the aftermath of natural disasters in their communities, all the while seeking innovative solutions,” she said. “My involvement stemmed from my Girl Scout troop's efforts in planting bee gardens in the wake of the devastating Tubbs Fire in Santa Rosa, catching the attention of the podcast's producers.” 

How Far Do Bees Travel to Collect Nectar?

Samantha enjoys interacting with the public, especially delighting in “the fun and curious questions from young kids. One common question is ‘How far do bees travel to collect nectar?' The answer is quite remarkable—bees can travel up to 5 miles to find floral resources and gather nectar. This highlights the importance of having plenty of pollinator-friendly plants, so bees have closer and more abundant options. Sometimes, visitors ask me questions about the plants in the garden. One person, for instance, hoped I could diagnose an issue with a specific plant that was thriving in our Haven but struggling at their home. We discussed the plant's ideal environment and watering needs to address the problem.”

Meanwhile, Samantha is looking forward to spring and “cracking open the hives and being among the bees and hearing their pleasant-sounding hum again!” 

She plays both the harp and the flute. Throughout her UC Davis career, she has performed with the Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Flute Choir and the Harp Ensemble.   

“Sam is a lovely soul and I would love to hear her play the harp in the garden,” Mather commented. “Harp music is just divine.” 

 “I always talk about wanting to bring my harp to play for the bees at the garden!” Samantha said. “I certainly need to make it a reality!”  

The making of the UC Davis Bee Haven. It was installed in the fall of 2010. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

History of the Haven

The Bee Haven came to "bee" after Häagen-Dazs executives read an ENT research news story by Kathy Keatley Garvey and telephoned her. The story dealt with the plight of honey bees and the work of UC Davis bee-breeder geneticist Susan Cobey "to build a better bee." Cobey then managed the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility.

A major donation followed to (1) fund a unique pollinator and demonstration garden and (2) to fund a doctoral fellowship (awarded to Michele Flenniken of UC Berkeley, now an associate professor at Montana State University). The Sausalito team of landscape architects Donald Sibbett and Ann F. Baker, interpretative planner Jessica Brainard and exhibit designer Chika Kurotaki won the national competition to design the garden. 

The Sausalito team's design zeroed in on sustainability and visitor experience. The four interconnected gardens, “Honeycomb Hideout,” “Nectar Nook,” “Pollinator Patch” and “My Backyard” formed the physical and interpretive framework for the design.  A series of trails connected the gardens. Trellises defined the entry ways and reinforced the passage to the next space.

The design also included a “Learning Center” building and paths labeled “Orchard Alley,” “Save the Bee Sanctuary,” “Round Dance Circle” and “Waggle Dance Way.”

Under the direction of then department chair Lynn Kimsey (now UC Davis distinguished professor emerita), the garden sprang to life in the fall of 2009 and was initially named the Häagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven for its  primary donor.  In 2010, a year after its installation, the Sacramento Bee named The Haven as one of the top 10  public garden destinations in the region.

"The Honey Bee Haven will be a pollinator paradise," Kimsey related in December 2008. "It will provide a much needed, year-round food source for our bees at the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility. We anticipate it also will be a gathering place to inform and educate the public about bees.”

The garden, Kimsey said, would include a seasonal variety of blooming plants that will provide a year-round food source for honey bees. It would be a living laboratory supporting research into the nutritional needs and natural feeding behaviors of honey bees and other insect pollinators.

UC Davis distinguished emeritus professor Robbin Thorp (1933-2019)  monitored the garden for bees, and detected more than 80 species.

Among those who played a key role in the founding and "look" of the garden: David Fujino, executive director of the California Center for Urban Horticulture; founding manager Missy Borel Gable (now director of the California Master Gardener program); Extension apiculturist Eric Mussen (1944-2022); and the UC Davis Art/Science Fusion Program, co-founded and co-directed by ENT entomology professor/artist Diane Ullman (now a UC Davis distinguished professor emerita); and self-described "rock artist" Donna Billick. The art in the garden is the work of their students, ranging from those in the Ullman-Billick entomology class to community residents. 

Billick sculpted the ceramic-mosaic “Miss Bee Haven,” a six-foot-worker bee that anchors The Haven.  Students and area residents crafted the bee-motif ceramic tiles that line a bench, which also includes the names of major donors. A mural featuring native bees graces the garden shed. It was a project of an entomology class, "Art, Science and the World of Insects," taught by Ullman and Billick. Doctoral candidate Sarah Dalrymple,  graphics project coordinator and teaching assistant, guided the students in the design, creation and installation of the panels.

In 2012, Davis high school student Derek Tully  planned, organized and built a state-of-the-art fence around the garden as part of his Eagle Scout project.

The garden has had only two managers since 2009:  Missy Borel Gable (2009-2013), and Christine Casey (2013-2024), a UC Davis doctoral alumna and now retiree.  

A public opening celebration took place Sept. 11, 2010. That same year, the Sacramento Bee singled out The Haven  as one of the top 10 public gardens in the region. Number one? The UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden.  Reporter Debbie Arrington wrote “Local gardeners don't have to go far to find inspiration. Our region is dotted with memorable public gardens that offer beauty and food for thought along with relaxation. A stroll through any of these destinations may turn up a new favorite shrub or eye-catching flower. In these gardens, you can see firsthand how thousands of plants have adapted to our climate and often low-water conditions. Best of all: Admission is free.”

Archived Resources:

• Detailed History of the Garden, with Links
  Bug Squad blog, Sept. 23, 2019
  
  
• Fifth Anniversary of the Bee Garden, With Professor Lynn Kimsey
  UC Davis Entomology and Nematology, April 28, 2015
  
  
• The Founding Volunteers and the Naming of The Haven as a Top Public Destination 
  Bug Squad blog, Dec. 11, 2010