1 Words from the Riverbank
2 End of Year Contribution to RBN?
3 Reminder about  January 28, 2023 Restoration Gathering


Dear River Neighbors,
During a recent Riverbank work day, we asked people to write down a few words about their experience. Here are some of those thoughts.
The bank offered a COVID respite. Now it renews my spirit. A piece of wild off Western Ave.
Ken C
The riverbank helped nourish us when we retreated into our COVID cocoon.
Dave W
The playful ducks provide entertainment for the little explorers.
Brad A
Pulling nightshade, the soil seemed ready to give it up.
P. B
The aster blooms mixed with seeds and milkweed pods bursting bring beauty and joy. I love the wildness of this place.
Megan H
It feels like many things I care about have burned up. I hope everything beautiful rises from the ashes.
Robin
It felt nice to return some of the care needed to maintain paths that have been peaceful to walk with my kids.
Kristin
The riverbank often gets described as not feeling like the city. I think it feels like what the city could feel like if it was built around the health of people and nature instead of cars and business.
Sten
Riverbank is a good place for our children. They play together, enjoy the weather, learn about plants and insects, and observe the adult activities. This is a great natural place where we all share and  learn together.
Riverbank es el perfecto lugar para nuestros ninos. Ellos pueden jugar juntos, disfruten del invierno, aprendiendo sobre plantas e insectos, observando a los adultos trabajan. Este es una hermosa area natural en donde todos compartimos y aprendemos juntos.
Ana L

Contribute?
If you are able, please consider making a contribution to Riverbank Neighbors work,
by writing a tax deductible check to :

Friends of the Chicago River / Riverbank Neighbors
411 S. Wells St. #800
Chicago, IL 60607
Attn: Amy Comstock

January 28, 2023, Save the Date
Please remember to mark the date : 
Saturday, January 28, 
10:00 -1:00 
at Sulzer Library 
for our symposium & celebration. We want to uplift the 30 years of organizing and restoration by Riverbank Neighbors and Waters Ecology. We also want to honor and recognize others who have restored other parcels of land, to create a haven for birds and insects and animals, including humans. The idea of connecting isolated fragmented restorations may be the main theme of this gathering. If you are interested in helping to plan this event please drop us a note.
RBN Stewards

22 brave souls warmed themselves around our rolling fire pit as the Sun dipped below the horizon.  Rank rank after rank of Canada Geese and Sandhill Cranes called out greetings. The actual Solstice is this Wednesday, but it was amazing to see the sun set at 4:15, and to experience the drop in temperature as the Sun disappeared..  We shared hot beverages, honey cakes and smoked salmon, and we shared songs, marking the days with mandolin and drum. We shared our news, and hopes for the future. We made new friends and refreshed older friendships.

Winter Solstice ~  
Bring a Friends, Light a Fire of Hope

Riverbank Neighbors will celebrate the Winter Solstice next
Sunday, December 18, 2022, from 4:00 until 6:00
at Berteau and the River
We will gather together to share food and drinks, songs and stories, news and poetry
as the sun sets on the shortest day, and longest night, of the year.
We will have a fire burning to acknowledge the Sol, the Sun,
and its life-giving energy, and to take heart that from that day forward the days will lengthen,
finally delivering us into Spring at the Vernal Equinox on March 20, 2023.
Please bring Friends and Food and Drink to share.
Let us know if you can come early or stay late to help with set up and clean up.

Contribute?
If you are able, please consider making a contribution to Riverbank Neighbors work,
by writing a tax deductible check to :

Friends of the Chicago River / Riverbank Neighbors
411 S. Wells St. #800
Chicago, IL 60607
Attn: Amy Comstock


Neighborhood Natural Areas Symposium and Celebration
Save the date
On Saturday, January 28, 10:00 – 1:00
Riverbank Neighbors and Waters Ecology
will host a symposium and celebration to recognize and honor the transformation of land in our neighborhood from barren wastelands to rich diverse and beautifully restored ecosystems. We will also be honoring others hard at work to connect our neighborhoods and natural sanctuaries to give us hope, and to create life-saving habitats for animals, insects, birds and… people. It is also a call for us to step up our work for a planet that is livable, and beautiful for our children; for our government, and schools, and churches, mosques, synagogues, and businesses to step up our work, to drop into a higher and more serious gear in addressing climate change, environmental  and social justice, NOW, where we live. 
We will display 30 years of photos, video, artifacts, news clippings and music and theater, all home grown, that document this amazing work.  Please mark your calendar and spread the word.

Burn Workshop in February
Also, in mid February we will be presenting a Burn Workshop for neighbors and friends to gain knowledge and understanding about prescribed burns of natural areas, and to gain beginning qualification to assist. Stay tuned for time and date.

Riverbank Neighbors Stewards