2020 has been a long, weird year. Due to COVID, Think Like a Bee needed to rethink all of its usual buzzy, busy hive activity in the community. We went to “Sheltering in Place” mode and worked virtually —from Board meetings to events. A highlight was a morning with Marnie Rehn at the Bachechi Open Space and a summer collaboration with the City of Albuquerque Open Space to create a virtual Burque Bee City USA experience during June’s pollinator week, which you can view here!

As the year comes to an end, meet our dynamic Board of Directors!  

Ann McCartney/Interim President, lawyer, community advocate of legislative policies for sustainable energy,  pollinator health and conservation. Lives in Las Lunas.

Suzanne Graham Shave/President elect, native of Albuquerque, retired pharmacist and property owner, an avid gardener, and guardian of the High Desert open spaces, plants and animals.

Connie George/Treasurer, retired Manager of health, life and financial programs, a lover of flowers, critters, composter and world traveler. Lives in Albuquerque.

Marnie Rehn/Education, Long time educator, coordinates environmental education where she lives at the Bachechi Open Space, Albuquerque and also teaches mindfulness meditation with the natural world.

Mary Jo Picha/Community Outreach is a Social worker, mom, master gardener, composter and lives in the North Valley, Albuquerque.

Amy Owens/Secretary, is owner of Desert Hives, a pollinator educator, mom and social worker who lives in the East Mountains.

Anita Amstutz/founder of Think Like a Bee and Burque Bee City, lives in Albuquerque and is a pollinator educator and policy advocate. 


We said goodbye to Clara Sims, off to Yale Divinity School,  an amazing eco-theologian, farmer and activist with Global Warming Express, Roots Farm and NM-Interfaith Power and Light. 


Our wonderful President Hanaa Benhalim stepped down. She guided us through our first Community fundraiser at The Flying Star where we raised over $1000—thanks to you, the community!

Thank you Hanaa for your vision, incredible energy and endless optimism!


We hope this season finds you grateful and making merry despite the hardness of this year. We remember the incredible gifts of all bees. They offer us free pollination services, medicine from the hive, honey, diversity, beauty and wonder even in the midst of their struggles to survive.




As we head into 2021, we celebrate the abundance of the earth and the critical role of pollinators— and in particular bees. They are necessary for a vital, healthy and diverse food system. They are endangered these days.  

Here’s our 2021 Goals: 

• January-March collaboration with Senator Mimi Stewart and environmental organizations to bring a neonicotinoid bill for pollinator protection in the State of New Mexico’s 2021 Legislative session.
• April- October implementing fun pollinator education events with families and children at our Albuquerque Open Spaces
• June’s annual summer Burque Bee City Festival!

We hope you will join us in protecting pollinators! One hundred percent of all donations goes for advocacy and education programs. We accept any gifting of shares from retirement funds. For information, contact our treasurer: cgeorge92016@gmail.com 

Click here to go to the top of this site and find the yellow DONATE Button. Checks can be mailed to : TLB, 410 Morningside Dr. SE Albuquerque, NM 87108. Donations over $25 will receive a packet of free wildflower seeds!

Thank you and Blessed Holidays!

The Bee Hive (Yes, the hive is all girls!)
Ann, Suzanne, Connie, Marnie, Mary Jo, Amy, Anita and Clara 

Think Like a Bee is a 501c3 non-profit and all donations are tax deductible.