More space, less fear — that’s the future Carrie Diaz is building for honey bees in the heart of Los Angeles. What began as thousands of everyday conversations about honey and stings turned into something much bigger: a realization that most people have never truly been introduced to the honey bee, properly. That disconnect became her call to action. And on February 17, with a ribbon cutting in Burbank, she opened the doors to a new kind of bee experience — one designed to inform in a way that feels immersive, visual, and unexpectedly joyful. “More Than Just Honey, Honey” is the capstone project of Carrie’s Master Beekeeper certification through University of California, Davis — but it feels more like a love letter to pollinators disguised as a micro museum.
Built inside her vintage boutique, the space is grounded in research while keeping it accessible. Inside, visitors encounter larger-than-life 3D bee models, more than 100 surprising bee facts, honeycomb sculptures that make architecture feel biological, authentic tools of the trade, a full wall of pollinator flowers, and a nine-foot food-security gallery connecting bees directly to the future of our food system. The design leans sensory and story-driven, while staying scientifically credible — built to make people pause, look closer, and walk out seeing bees differently. It’s thought-provoking. It’s innovative. Think “Alice in Wonderland” — if Wonderland ran on nectar.
In just its early days, the museum has already welcomed thousands of visitors, and served as educational content for the Girl Scouts of the USA (Burbank), students from Burbank Unified School District, and events like the Burbank Eco-Council Day. The space is self-funded, donor-supported, and 100% of gift shop proceeds are reinvested into operations to keep admission free and youth programming accessible. Looking ahead, however, sustainability at scale will require industry alignment. If we want more people advocating for bees, we need more people understanding them. This museum is a blueprint — designed to be shared, supported, and scaled collectively.
Sponsorship, collaborative events, traveling installations — there’s room at the table. And for the beekeeping community, this is an opportunity to move upstream. Public perception shapes planting habits, pesticide conversations and municipal policy. If we want the next generation to value honey bees and beekeeping, we have to meet them where they are — memorably. So lend your insight, share it within your associations and professional networks. Amplify it through your social channels and consider contributing or connecting the project with sponsors — because with the right partners, this project can give bee education the wings it deserves.
Contact Carrie at: Burbankbeekeeper@gmail.com | https://carriediazzz.com
