THE YELLOW BUS TRANSFORMS INTO ALEXANDRIA'S NATURE BUS!
In 2002, a new concept for park transportation was developed by Alexandria's Grandfather and his company ARBOC Ltd. Throughout the development of this bus, Alexandria contributed by evaluating the buses suitability of children. She participated in the unveiling of the prototype in Yellowstone in 2003 and 2004, including a development trip in the winter season (picture above shows Alexandria standing on the bus tracks - 2004). Additional trials were conducted with Alexandria's classmates at Charyl Stockwell Academy. Alexandria's Yellow Bus has now transformed into Alexandria's Nature Bus.
In 2006 we were blessed to meet with Jack Shea at the Teton Science Schools, he was sold on our idea immediately. This relationship has allowed us to develop something that can become a model for other areas of the United States.
The Teton Science Schools will be using the 3rd Nature Bus. Because of the lengthy winter season and narrow roads in the parks, the 3rd bus is more suited to their needs. The Teton Science Schools has 40 years experience in "Connecting Children to Nature through Learning", they are able to create programs in which they reach areas of Greater Yellowstone where children may not have the opportunity to ever witness one of our greatest treasures. One area is the Indian tribes. The children in these areas are very poor and do not have the means to visit where their ancestors once lived. (Photos below show Bus at Bear Tooth Pass and the interior of the bus with displays)
WHAT IS ALEXANDRIA'S NATURE BUS?
In spring of 2009, Leah and Craig Bennett met with Dick Grant and Dana DeBenham from The Howell Conference & Nature Center with their idea for using the foundation's second bus. There was an overwhelming excitement between everyone. The Howell Nature Center has been around since 1978 providing wildlife rehabilitation and conservation education with their on-site and off-site programs. Today with children spending less and less time outside, there needs to be unique ways of getting children interested in nature. That is where Alexandria's Nature Bus can help. The Howell Conference & Nature Center have developed a complete program, involving hands-on activities, instructional convservation education and live animals.
The Nature Bus was designed with an exciting and engaging exterior, showing animals native to Michigan and in residence at The Howell Nature Center's Wild Wonders. The interior has been developed to contain once again engaging images along with educational facts pertaining to a specific program. The first will be Birds of Prey. Alexandria's Nature Bus will visit schools, arriving with 2-3 Naturalists, live animals and hands-on activities to participate in on and off the bus. Dick Grant estimates that more than 10,000 people have walked through the bus since they started their programming in April of 2010.
In August 2010, The Howell Nature Center started using the longer bus that was out in Jackson. They are able to transport students for various programs, increasing the number of children connected to nature.
The Nature Bus will be on the programming list at The Howell Nature Center for any school to book for a classroom. The foundation wants to provide grants for teachers/schools, allowing them to experience the Nature Bus even in the uneasy economic times we are all experiencing. Grants will be awarded based upon application and number of grants allowed in the foundation's grant cycle.
Ultimately, our vision is to have Nature Buses across the United States located at nature centers or State Parks where they can help in teaching children to appreciate the world we live in and how to protect what is left. At the same time, a little of Alexandria's spirit would be spread throughout the world, connecting as many children to nature as possible using a mobile calssroom.
