Embracing Native Botany

Tour Name: Embracing Native Botany 

This is a public tour. It is also available as a private customizable group tour for up to 16 people. Email info@TheNatureBus.com to arrange.

TOUR DATE: Saturday, June 8, 2024

(Rain date is Sunday, June 9) Before purchasing your ticket, be sure you can go on the actual tour date and the rain date. This rain date is an alternate tour date, reserved for “severe” weather and lightning.  The trip ordinarily goes rain or shine. We provide umbrellas.

TIME: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (8 hour tour)

PRICE: 65/person + 2.6% credit card fee = $66.69

*Important Note: We do not offer ANY refunds after tour is booked.

DEPARTURE LOCATION: REI 350 Independence Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA  (Private groups can choose the pick-up location.

DESCRIPTION: Embark on a captivating journey with our “Embracing Native Botany” tour, where nature enthusiasts and budding botanists alike delve into the vibrant world of native plants. Join us as we explore meticulously curated demonstration gardens, showcasing the beauty and ecological significance of indigenous flora. Wander through lush landscapes, where each plant tells a story of resilience and adaptation. Our expert guides will unravel the secrets of these native wonders, providing insights into their historical, cultural, and environmental significance. To enhance your experience, we’ll also visit a premier native plant nursery, where you can witness the lifecycle of these botanical gems. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of our natural heritage, and leave with a newfound appreciation for the importance of preserving and cultivating native plant species. You’ll come away from this tour with new design ideas and a plethora of information about the available resources in case you may be interested in converting your own yard to native plants. 

We look forward to seeing you on the tour! Check out all of the 5-star reviews, so you will be super confident that you will have an amazing experience! You can read these reviews at TheNatureBus.com > click the REVIEWS tab or click this link: https://thenaturebus.com/reviews/

If you have any questions, please text/call the owner. Suzanne 757-288-9595

Proposed itinerary/loose timing/subject to change as needed to enjoy nature:

• 8:30 – 9:00 am: Check-in process (select your seat; use restroom before boarding)
• 9:00 am Departure – Leave from REI 350 Independence Blvd, Virginia Beach. Drive to AREC Agricultural Research and Extension Center. While traveling on The Nature Bus, James Abbott will be the on board naturalist guide. He will off you a native plant education program during transport to and between our destinations.
• 9:15 am Arrival (1st place) – We will be greeted by our expert guide, Laurie Fox, PhD Research Associate. She will take us through a number of native demonstration gardens. Besides their beauty, the gardens give us a chance to see how different plants grow in our Zone 8A climate.
• 12:00 – 1:15 Picnic lunch at the picnic tables on the grounds of AREC and restroom
• 1:15 – 1:45 pm Travel to Southern Branch Nursery
• 2:00 – 4:00 pm Arrival (2nd place) Southern Branch Nursery is a native plant nursery and landscape design company that specializes in wildlife habitat and wetlands conservation. Trista Imrich, the owner, and certified horticulturist, will be our guide. She has a passion for native plants and their role in restoring and enhancing the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. SBN does not use pesticides; their aim is to support, never harm, the local fauna.
• 4:00 – 4:30 optional: time for shopping at the nursery. If you purchase one (1) plant, you can ride with it on your lap on the bus. Also available is online ordering or select more plants, pay and pick up later.
• 4:30 – 5:00 (ish) –  Return to REI, Virginia Beach.

Check-in and tour duration: Please arrive at the bus at 8:30 am (15-30 min before departure). Seat selection is based on the order that each individual checks-in. The check-in procedure takes some time. Have your printed/signed waiver + ID ready. Departure is promptly at 9:00 am. Return to REI approximately 5:00 pm. The tour is approximately 8 hours round trip: 9:00 – 5:00 (ish) – Flexible return time/Traffic + guest dependent. We “often” return later than the stated time due to a variety of reasons (one being that everyone is enjoying themselves). We do TRY to come back on time, but before purchasing your ticket, be sure you are ok with coming back later if that is how the day plays out.

“Adopt the pace of Nature: her secret is patience” by Ralph Waldo Emerson

WHAT’S INCLUDED:
– Expert pre-planning services
– Transportation to two locations: Departure from: REI 350 Independence Blvd, Virginia Beach > travel to AREC Agricultural Research and Extension Center 1444 Diamond Springs Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23455 (approximately 15 min ride). Next travel to Southern Branch Nursery 1412 Benefit Road Chesapeake, VA 23322 (approximately 30 min ride). Travel back to REI (approx 30 min ride).
– Air conditioned/heated, clean vehicle; this is a “school bus” with bench seats. It is a comfortable “eco tour bus” ready for adventures! (not a luxury vehicle with bucket seats)
– All fees (including gasoline, insurance, tolls, permits/admission fees when applicable to the destination locations; excluding food/drink)
– Three (3) expert guides: James Abbott, Laurie Fox, Trisha Imrich.
– on board native plant education program
– guided tour of AREC
– guided tour at Southern Branch Nursery
– an optional opportunity to select native plants for purchase (bring $)
– Meet your guide at AREC: https://www.arec.vaes.vt.edu/arec/hampton-roads/people/fox-bio.html
– Meet your guide at Southern Branch Nursery: https://www.southernbranchnursery.com/our-team
–MEET YOUR on board GUIDE James Abbott:  https://thenaturebus.com/our-team/

THINGS TO BRING:

– Optional items: Binoculars and/or camera for viewing wildlife (we cannot guarantee wildlife sightings as nature is unpredictable). A notebook/journal + pen(cil) for taking education notes during the tour.
– Not optional: COMPLETED WAIVER FORM: When you purchase a ticket for a tour, your name automatically appears on our tour “check-in list.” So, you do not need to bring your actual ticket. But . . . your signed waiver is your TICKET TO BOARD! We will collect this waiver at the door of the bus. Please print it at home, fill it in, sign it, and bring it with you. Here is the link to the required waiver form: https://thenaturebus.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/NB_Waiver1.pdf
– You are required to show ID. Only the original ticket holder can board the bus (names appear on our check-in sheet).
– Bring your lunch. Pack your lunch into your own “very small” insulated lunchbox with ice pack (ie: the type children use for school lunches). We encourage you to “go green” by using washable/reusable containers instead of single use plastics. We provide picnic blankets and/or folding chairs.
– Bring a refillable water bottle filled with ice water. We encourage you to “go green” by not using single use plastic water bottles.
– We recommend that you also pack “pocket-snacks” in your pocket or backpack – ie: granola bars, power bars, trail mix, or something else that is very EASY to snack on while walking outdoors. Please respect our strict policy: Eating, drinking, chewing gum is not permitted on the bus. The bus is SO clean and we want to keep it this way. For fear of choking hazards, we do not allow anything (even mints) while the bus is in motion. 

– CASH! It is customary to tip 15% gratuity for eco tours. Please tip your on board naturalist guide James Abbott generously. 

– Optional – $25 cash if you’d like to purchase a Nature Bus t-shirt! You’ll love it. The expression on the t-shirt is: “SAY YES TO NEW ADVENTURES!” Can only be purchased on board the bus and only with advanced ordering. T-shirts are light blue or grey (as supplies last). If you’d like one, TEXT us 757-288-9595 with your t-shirt order ahead of time. Text this exact information: your first + last name, tour name, tour departure date, size of t-shirt (sm, m, lg, xl), color selection.

WHAT TO WEAR? 
– Wear closed-toe shoes. Flip-flops/sandals are not appropriate foot wear for nature outings.
– Dress for the weather. Famous quote: “There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing” by Alfred Wainwright (a Norwegian saying). And another saying: “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning how to dance in the rain” (unknown author/motivational quote).  Hot days > sunscreen, sunhat, lots of ice water, comfortable walking shoes (bathing suit, water shoes, towel for some tours). Cold days > warm layers, hats, gloves/mittens, warm boots, air-activated heat packs/inserts for your socks and mittens (available at REI). Rainy days > rain jacket, rain hat, umbrella, comfortable waterproof footwear (trails can be muddy if it rained the day before). TICKS: For forested or meadow trips >protect yourself from insects/ticks!  We recommend long pants tucked into light colored (white) knee-high socks to easily see ticks. Bring insect repellent and/or “the bug suit” (a thin mesh jacket + pants) (Google: the bug suit). After nature tours, especially if you have been in a forest or meadow, be sure to shower immediately and do a thorough “tick check.” You can Google “how to do a self tick check” for accurate instructions.

Really important notes  “Know before you go” ~

*We go “light rain” or shine or cold. Please dress for the weather. In the case of light rain, we simply take cover and wait it out. In the case of very heavy rain, extreme wind or temperatures, we will move the tour to the pre-arranged rain date. Not all tours have rain dates. See above for date (and rain date) associated with your tour.  ALL SALES FINAL/NO REFUNDS for any reasons, including sickness/covid. Only the ticket holder can board the bus. You are required to show ID. Tickets are not transferable. Only YOU have completed the registration (with emergency info, allergy info, etc). Please stay home if you are not feeling well or have a fever. To avoid a call on the day of the tour, please notify us via text 757-288-9595 if you would like to remove your name from the check-in list. Food/Drink: Again, eating, drinking, chewing gum is never permitted on the bus. There will be opportunities to eat (off of the bus) during the tour. WATER is always allowed on board the bus, and recommended.  Arrival: Please arrive 15-30 min before departure. The check-in process takes some time. Seat selection is based on the check-in order. When we check you in, you will receive a temporary bracelet with a number on it. This is the order you will board the bus and select your seat. Some seats are more desirable than others. The “hot seat” is the back seat. Some bus seats have wheel wells.  Waiver: Other tour guests do not want to wait (and loose time on their tour). Please save everyone time at check-in by bringing your signed waiver. No restroom on board the bus; arrive early enough to use the rr at REI (opens at 10 am) or Fresh Market (opens at 8 am) before boarding the bus. The tour itinerary includes restroom stops. Departure: We cannot wait for latecomers because we must adhere to our planned itinerary. Therefore we must pull away at the exact departure time. We cannot receive telephone/text calls to let us know you are running late because we will driving and using the phone as a GPS.

*ALL OUR TOURS INVOLVE WALKING; GUESTS SHOULD EXPECT VARYING DEGREES OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. We apologize, but there is no room on board to accommodate wheel chairs or walkers. Our tours require participants to be ambulatory and in reasonably good physical health to manage our nature excursions. There are three (3) large steps to climb to enter the bus. There is one (1) handrail on the left of these steps. Health/COVID Safety Measures: We care about the health and safety of those participating in our nature experiences. The bus is sanitized between each tour. Feel free to crack open your window if you prefer. Please stay home if you are not feeling well or have a fever. Federal Law no longer “requires” masks be worn on airplanes, trains and buses. Masks are optional.

The owner’s Samoyed dog, named Sequoia, may be on your tour! She joins us on SOME tours. A service dog is trained to help people with disabilities. Sequoia is NOT a service dog. A therapy dog is trained to provide comfort and affection to people. Sequoia was certified as a Therapy Dog by TDI in 2021 (not updated). She is safe, friendly, sweet and has all of her vaccinations up to date at all times. (*note: if you are allergic or frightened of dogs, you may not want to purchase a ticket; you may also request to sit in the back, further from Sequoia). Want to learn more details about Sequoia and/or see a photo of her? MEET SEQUOIA:  https://thenaturebus.com/our-team/

• We must meet our minimum number of participants for a tour to GO! Most of our tours fill up FAST. But if we do not meet the minimum, then we will cancel the tour and you will be reimbursed (- minus the 2.6% credit card processing fee). We will notify you 48 hours before the tour departure via email.
• Share on your social media and with everyone you know! Let them know you are going on a really amazing tour! Spread the word! Help fill up the bus 🙂 See you soon!
• If you have any questions, please text/call the owner. Suzanne 757-288-9595