This week we’ll have just one work party, on Sunday, because we’re using our Wednesday time to gather with our organizing team.

Sunday, October 25th, 10am-12pm: broom removal at the Middle Meadow
Meet at the Douglas entrance. If you can, please arrive on time so we can all walk in together. If you’re running late, you can find us here.

Special kids’ activity: On the way in, several signs are covered in black sooty mold. It’s a community of fungi that feast on honeydew, the sweet waste of sap-sucking insects. Sap is sugar-rich but protein-poor, so the insects drink far more than they need and expel the excess sugar. We’ll clean the signs with spray bottles of water and cloths. Hopefully it will inspire the kids to help clean at home too!

Heads up for next week: a spooky hike on Friday, October 30th at 5:30pm
Come explore the strange side of the Hillside Natural Area! Learn about poisonous plants, spot the odd things happening on the land, and discover our Mystery Box, filled with curious finds we’ve collected while tending the area.

We’ll watch the sunset together and come back after dark under the waning gibbous moon (about 85% lit), and maybe spot a great horned owl. It’s for kids of all ages (even grown-up kids)!

Please dress in layers, and wear long sleeves, long pants, and sturdy shoes.

Places are limited, so we’re giving priority to readers of our newsletter. Register here.