This
educational program is created for people who especially love cacti and
succulents! And
for those who want to experience some of the most beautiful scenery in the
lovely state of Sonora, touching the Arizona border immediately to the
south. These days present a comprehensive
view of many of the fascinating cacti and succulents of Sonora, Mexico. The
specific focus of our daily activities will center around meeting a
good many of these wonderful plants up close and personal in their wild
natural habitats, all in the enjoyable company of fellow enthusiasts and
expert botanists.
We are privileged to have as our botanical
guides Matthew B. Johnson, Research Specialist and Curator, University of
Arizona Desert Legume Program and author of Cacti, Other Succulents,
and Unusual Xerophytes of Southern Arizona; and George Montgomery,
Curator of Botany at Tucson’s Arizona Sonora Desert Museum.
This program is personally produced by Mary
& Piet Van de Mark of Baja’s Frontier Tours, who pioneered learning
vacations in the Sonoran Desert beginning in 1966.
Tucson CSSA Convention attendees are
encouraged to sign up for this trip by October 1, 2008, as after that date
it will be open to all CSSA members.
Furthermore, registration is limited to just
19 participants. Participation in the tour will be on a first-come,
first-served basis; thus early registration is encouraged.
Travel through Sonora will be in comfortable
new air-conditioned passenger vans, rear seats removed for luggage and no
more than two people per seat. Radios connect the vans for questions and
instruction en route.
Additionally, our evenings will be enjoyed in
very comfortable accommodations in Hermosillo, Navojoa, and at San Carlos
on the shore of the Sea of Cortez. The traditional cuisine of Mexico plus
ample fresh seafood from the Sea of Cortez will be enjoyed by all.
The price is $2895 per person double
occupancy; single occupancy private room is $475 additional.
Included:
All comfortable lodging and transportation
roundtrip from Tucson.
Two expert botanical guides.
All breakfasts and lunches (many lunches
afield); opening and closing banquets.
Travel/medivac/trip cancellation insurance.
A $200 donation to CSSA in the name of each
participant.
Sonora plant list and field handouts.
BFT’s helpful Personal Items List
and a Suggest Reading List. will be sent to all.
Reserving
now: We encourage those interested in this program to call or
email to learn more about the details and to confirm that space is still
available. You may sign up simply by sending us your check for the $300
per person deposit. Please contact Piet or Mary at Baja's Frontier Tours
for further information.
Trip Questions?
For more information on logistical details of this trip,
call Piet & Mary at Baja’s Frontier Tours in Tucson: 520-887-2340,
or email piet@bajasfrontiertours.com
Botanical
Questions? For more information on
botanical aspects of the trip, or matters relating to CSSA, contact Field
Trips Committee Chair Dan Mahr at dmahr@entomology.wisc.edu
or phone 608-837-9340.
Cactus &
Succulent Society of America's 2009 Convention at Tucson: Since
you're interested in this learning vacation, if you're not already
registered for the CSSA Convention (for which this program is the Post
Convention Field Trip), please consider attending. Information is
available at Tucson CSSA here: http://2009.tucsoncactus.org/default.htm
Please call us with
any questions.
Any time.
Mary & Piet Van de Mark
520-887-2340
in Tucson
