​This moment is bursting with .... anticipation ...
the first non-winter breezes,
snowdrops opening in front gardens,
then the snap, whip and howl of winter winds to remind us:
"Not so fast",
Winter is not done yet. 
But that doesn't mean we can't get ready.
We had a great turnout last Saturday at the MidWinter Meeting of Riverbank Neighbors and Waters School Gardeners.
We learned about prescription burning of natural areas,
made plans for river work,
and shared our excitement about the new season of gardening, growth and hope.
Lots of school families and kids. 
Seeds are being planted.
An act of faith. 

I am putting together the Spring Field Ecology Schedule,
teaching classes and reading journals. 
If you would like to join me for this very enjoyable and rewarding activity, 
come to the Conference Room on Tuesday morning, after drop off, and stay for a coffee and as many journals as you would like to read and respond to. 

Mr. Leki

WINTER IN ECOLOGY
We have wrapped up the 2016 winter ecology field schedule!
Huzzahhhhh!
It was a collage of cold and ice, mud and muck, hard work and wondrous moments. 
People tell me that there are images of these thing on the Facebook.
 I've gone to the library to ask for this book,  but they don't have it. 
Anyway,  
the images are also stored in hundred of living, growing minds, 
of kids and parents and teachers.
Thank you, 
all of you who helped make this mobilization happen. 

We are prepping for the Spring trips, 
prepping for the coming of spring, 
we are singing, 
and doing art, 
and doing our best to make this life a  good one.

In that spirit, 
please, 
please, 
read the film review below by my beloved partner Debbie. 
It is all powerful and mind opening, 
but the parts about education are.....
you decide. 
Go see this film before it disappears  into the void.
With Love, 
Mr. Leki

Where Should We Invade Next?
Dear friends,

Pete and I just saw "Where should we invade next?" – Michael Moore's
latest documentary – and it is inspiring, emotional, surprising, funny,
and awful.  Despite it's title, it is not a rant about all the aggressive
campaigns the U.S. has been involved in; instead, it is about bringing
back to the U.S. all the best ideas of other countries.

If you don't see any other movie this season, please go see this film if
you are interested in:  health care for all Americans; excellent and equal
access to education for our children; good food; fair treatment of working
people and how it can still work to profit corporate stock holders;
leadership of women and how it impacts the world; MORE TIME OFF from the
daily grind and what to do with that time; humane treatment of the
incarcerated...

It is only playing Monday through Thursday at the Music Box this week at
4:30 and 9:45PM.  It is also at the Century 12 in Evanston. For those of
you who are out of town, keep your eyes open.  It will almost certainly be
at an independent-type theater near you.

Believe me, it will make you laugh and cry and think about how life in the
"good ol' USA" could be better.

With hope and love,
Debbie

​We made it to our last series of Winter Field Ecology Outings!
And while winter is still with us, please hold that Valentine's Day love in your heart to keep you warm.
 
Tuesday, February 16, 3rd Grade Room 201 
Mighty Acorns have their first Winter outing. They will track animals and cut brush. Please join us at 9:00 for a briefing. The bus leaves at 9:30, back by 12:30. Temps should be hovering around freezing, which is very comfortable.
 
Wednesday, February 17, 7th Grade Room 303 
Room 303 is off to Montrose Point to learn 10 Amazing Facts about Lake Michigan, and to let our mighty Lake be their muse for creative writing. Bus leaves at 9:30, back by one. Bring a healthy lunch which we will take in the beautiful Corinthian Yacht Club.
 
Thursday, February 18, 7th Grade Room 302
Room 303 is off to Montrose Point to learn 10 Amazing Facts about Lake Michigan, and to let our mighty Lake be their muse for creative writing. Bus leaves at 9:30, back by one. Bring a healthy lunch which we will take in the beautiful Corinthian Yacht Club.

Friday, February 19, sixth grade, Room 305
We head off for their 5-city tour of the Chicago River system, including the North Side Treatment plant and its effluent, the Wilmette Locks, and the Evanston Water Utility. Join Us! We leave at 9:30 and are back by 2:30. Bring a healthy lunch!
 
On Saturday, February 20  
Please visit the Chicago River Student Congress at Taft High School, 8:30 until 1:00. Bring your child, especially 6th graders, to see the many workshops, displays and performances. Waters presented last year. Register here and learn more.
 
On Sunday, February 21, from 9:00-12:00 p.m.
A community workday at Sauganash Prairie Grove / Labagh Woods is happening. All Mighty Acorns families, past and present (in fact everybody) is welcomed to attend for one hour, two, or three. At noon we will be leading a Winter Tree ID walk for all those interested. Cut brush and enjoy the bonfire as we rid Sauganash of invasives and open the land for a re-birth of bio-diversity. Tools and gloves provided. We will be meeting at the Irene Hernandez Picnic grove car park, at Foster and Kilbourne.
 
And mark your calendar for Saturday, February 27
Waters School and Riverbank Neighbors will co-host the Riverbank Annual Gathering to approve a work plan for the year. There will be a presentation and training on prescribed landscape burns which are planned for Waters and riverbank natural areas. 
We will break at noon for a pot luck lunch and then re-convene at 12:45 for a Waters Garden Seed Share, a chance for all to give and take seeds, catalogs, knowledge and experience. Come for one part or stay for all. If you would like to help organize, let me know.
 
Many thanks dear friends, 
 
Mr. Leki

Please join us for a special Ecology / Riverbank / Garden gathering on
​Saturday, February 27
at 10:00
At the Waters School Annex
4540 N. Campbell Ave.
 

We've made it through most of Winter, and Spring is just around the bend. Come for one part or stay for the whole thing. We have made it through most of a beautiful and mild winter. Spring is just around the corner. 

10:00 a.m.
The agenda starts with a  “burn training”, a review of the methods, reasons for, and safety considerations for conducting a controlled, prescribed burn of the natural areas at Waters school and the Riverbank. This will be our 15th burn season. It is a spectacle to see, and exhausting and inspirational event to be part of, and a learning experience for all involved (each and every time). Become a part of the burn crew. In the weeks following the burn you will appreciate the re-birth of the native landscape, robust and revitalized. This presentation takes about 45 minutes and includes film footage of previous burns.
 
11:00 a.m.
Review, comments and amendments of the RN Management Plan. This document is part of the Management agreement and lease agreement that we hold with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District through NeighborSpace. This document (longform) also chronicles our 20+ years of restoration and care for the riverbank. You can check out the 2015 Management Plan at Riverbank Neighbors.org.
 
12:00 p.m.
Pot luck lunch. Possible grill activity on the patio. Bring your own re-usable utensils and settings and you get a gold star!
 
12:30 - 2:00 p.m.
Seed Share and Garden Planning Event
Mark your calendars for this upcoming community-building event at Waters! There will be a Seed Share (bring seeds to share if you have them), garden book and magazine swap, a running slideshow on the history of Waters Garden, urban gardening Q&A, and other surprises. ​Join us even if you are not a gardener (yet)!

 
Mr. Leki

Dear Friends, 
It's winter.
It's supposed to be cold. 
Here's what's up in ecology.
 
Monday, Feb 8
First grade does bark rubbings, Locust, sycamore and ash.
Room 205 11:30
Room 111 12:15
Room 211 1:15
Many hands will help with these little ones.
 
Tuesday, Feb 9, 8:30
Room 208 is off to see the river at Berteau
in the colds of winter.  Last week we saw a giant hawk,
coyote scat, cardinal, woodpeckers, etc
Bundle them up!!!
 
Wednesday, Feb 10, 9:30 -12:30
3rd Grade, room 201 is off to Sauganash
to experience the cold, cut brush and track wild animals.
If you can join us, meet me at 9:00 for briefing.
 
Thursday, Feb 11, 9:30 - 12:30
5th Grade, Room 310, on their make-up trip to Sauganash
to cut brush, ID trees in winter, and count the overpopulation of deer.
Join us at 9:00 by the fish tank.
 
Friday, Feb 12, 9:30 - 2:30
6th Grade Room 309 does the Chicago River / water / sewage system tour.
We visit the treatment plant at Howard St and see what "treated" sewage looks
and smells like; we visit the Wilmette Locks where the giant flushing infrastructure of the sewage system resides;
then to the Evanston Water Utility to learn how water is tested and treated to be safe for drinking.
A fun journey through five towns. Meet at 9:00 and pack a lunch.
 
Sunday is Valentine's, one of my favorite holidays.
A big 💟💟 to all of you dear friends. 
As my mom used to say: 
"Love each other".