Ecology and Horticulture
Guests are invited to explore through guided garden walks, oyster experiences, and conservation-focused excursions that celebrate the delicate balance of land and water.
All outdoor experiences are offered seasonally. Please check with our Concierge for more details.
Watermen's Experience
This work-hard, learn-fast immersive experience gives you a glimpse into a working waterman’s life and the oystering culture of the Chesapeake Bay. As you haul oyster cages up from the depths below, you'll explore the rhythms of modern oyster aquaculture with our resident ecologist. Consider this your vacation-based, waterfront science lab.
Chesapeake Gold—An Oyster Experience
Eastern oysters are a keystone species of the Chesapeake Bay that help to purify the water. During this small-group outing, visit an oyster farm, pull up oyster cages and help sort the catch. Back on shore, practice grading oysters for size and quality and learn how to grill them—before digging in yourself.
Beautiful Swimmers - A Blue Crab Experience
Alongside our resident ecologist, Will, you’ll board a boat and head into Carter’s Creek. Out on the water, you’ll learn about the history of crabbing and the crab itself. You’ll get hands-on as you learn how to set and pull crab pots and evaluate which crabs can be captured and which must be thrown back.
Mighty Rappahannock
A treasured local captain and raconteur, Captain Bull will be your guide and historian for the morning. Cruise to Stingray Point aboard the Lil’ Tip-Sea and along the way he will share the history of the Rappahannock River over the last 400 years, including early native inhabitants, European exploration and Captain John Smith.
Shoreline Tour
Join our team for a complimentary walk along our Shoreline Trail. Our restoration project will deepen our connection to Carter’s Creek and the greater Chesapeake Bay region.
Meet Our Team
Meet our Resident Ecologist, William
With a Master’s Degree of Education in Sustainability, Will leads immersive experiences on Carter’s Creek and the Rappahannock River – from a “Chesapeake Gold” tour about Eastern oysters to “Beautiful Swimmers,” featuring Blue Crabs. His ultimate goal is to have guests leave the resort with a better sense of stewardship and the desire to improve waterways near their hometowns.
Meet our Farm Manager, Patrick Stickney
With his earliest garden memory at age five eating the neighbors’ muscadine grapes, Patrick Stickney has benefited from many mentors in his career who have inspired him in agriculture.
“A fantastic mentor who taught me everything I know is Charlie Maloney, a sustainable agriculture educator at The College of William & Mary and owner of Dayspring Farm here in Viginia,” said Patrick.
Although he was born in Tampa, Patrick has spent most of his life in Virginia’s Northern Neck region. Formally receiving a culinary arts degree from Johnson & Wales University, he enjoys combining his passion for farming with his culinary expertise.
It’s this expertise that equipped him for success at the Tides Inn, collaborating with Executive Chef, Kyle Perkins.
“The best part of managing the Tides Inn Farm is working directly with the culinary team to support their farm-to-table goal,” he remarked. “Being able to take our guests through the garden is an absolute delight, especially seeing children eat our homegrown blackberries.”
Patrick enjoys the challenge of planning what crops he will grow, mixed with creating a space that is also aesthetically pleasing. He’s been instrumental in supplying more produce to Salt & Meadow Restaurant – from fresh greens to okra to tomatoes (he admits his favorite thing to grow is tomatoes).
“A most memorable day was when the former owner of this particular parcel stopped by and stated how happy he is to see how we are using the land,” Patrick said. “I am excited to have the unique opportunity to transform these five acres into a special place for decades to come.”
With a Master’s Degree of Education in Sustainability, Will leads immersive experiences on Carter’s Creek and the Rappahannock River – from a “Chesapeake Gold” tour about Eastern oysters to “Beautiful Swimmers,” featuring Blue Crabs. His ultimate goal is to have guests leave the resort with a better sense of stewardship and the desire to improve waterways near their hometowns.