As an educator working with young learners for the past twenty years, I know the above title to be true, both literally and figuratively. Children arrive hardwired with a curiosity and excitement for the natural world. In just one day on the playground at LLL Preschool in our Pre-K class we: examined ant hills and speculated on what was going on beneath the ground, studied the gnaw marks left in a black walnut shell by rodents extracting the nut, and wondered at flying insects attracted to the yellow slide.  All these activities were child initiated. Not a recess goes by without at least one of our four or five year old children running up to teachers, calling excitedly “come see what we found!” To teach is to be rewarded with these interactions. To be lead by the hand to share in the thrill of the discovery of a Fowler’s toad hunting around the sandbox is worth more than stock options to a nature enthusiast like myself. By sharing that thrill, we help today’s children develop their love of nature, and draw them somewhat away from the thrall of their electronic devices. We care about things that we feel connected to, and as Dr. Seuss says: ​

By: Abby Martin, Committee Member

     As a seasoned New England gardener, I am accustomed to patiently awaiting the arrival of Spring.  This Spring, however, the anticipation is greater than usual. Not only do I get to tend to my own small garden, I have the blessed opportunity to work with the committee and the community in the next phase of the Permaculture garden at WPC.
 
     The devoted committee met diligently thru the winter.  We had several interactive and informational meetings with an expert advisor, Jono Neiger of Regenerative Design Group. So much information!!! So much enthusiasm!!! We watched power point presentations and visited many links on the internet.  Thus inspiring us for the creation of the design for the garden.

    We have prepared a list of the vegetables and flowers.  Tomatoes, cucumbers, pumpkins, peppers, beans , squash and a few other items. We have an assortment of flowering plants to attract butterflies, too.

​     Our next step will be flagging out the bed designs and staking the pathways. It is May 2 as I am writing this.  Cold and wet!  But I am a seasoned New England gardener and have faith that "real Spring" is not too far away.