For newcomers, the riverbank neighbor project, ecosystem, and community are often underestimated. This isn’t beginner stuff. We need to dive into this deep study to learn and practice stewardship of our local ecosystem. When Riverbank Neighbors started, there were not native gardens in the parks and parkways as there have started to be now. We have been doing this for over 20 years. Our gardening days include: Seed gathering, watering, planting, fence fixing, sign making, and yes, being support crew for our annual prescribed fires… Many regional experts visit our gardens and offer their support and advice, which we appreciate and rely upon. We are teaching, mentoring, and still learning too. We do our best to put special effort into learning and relearning how to be allies to our neighbors in environmental justice. We invite you to join us.

We may also be also experts at appreciating the beauty of nature and community. It’s a joy. It’s not always easy. There have been bumps in the road. Sometimes gardens we plant are ruined by thoughtless behavior. Sometimes community ties become strained. We made it through the pandemic, not without loss. But healing is always possible. Gardens can be watered and new seedlings will grow with new hope. We are grateful to all for their longtime efforts. Many many have contributed to this project. We remember you Jerry, Kevin, Julia, Bill, Michael, Laurene, Lisa W, and so so many more.. and we know this is not our land. We have passed a resolution called the Land Acknowledgement. Perhaps you haven’t read it or heard of Land Acknowledgements yet. If not, please search it up on our website or elsewhere. Its a beautiful step and an incomplete one.

We hope to see you at the riverbank. If you see anyone tending the riverbank, please say hello and thank them. They are your neighbors. One of the saddest thing is when people walk by without a hello or with disdain. It happens. I’ve had people ask me to take their trash instead of saying hello. I asked why. Because they thought I was “a worker.” huh. yes, I am a worker. We are all workers. and neighbors. Say hello. And we, once again, thank you for all the wonderful things you do to care for your families, this community, the greater family of humankind, and our whole living earth.

Happy Equinox everyone…

Jules

(one of the rbn stewards and co-leaders for 20+ yrs)

Celebrating the Autumnal Equinox

The Autumnal Equinox is coming. Around the 23rd of September. The exact moment doesn’t much matter to me. The amazing thing is that it is a world-recognized, unifying moment for every culture back through very ancient times. Something shifting, moving from one moment to the next. What does it matter to us? What will we notice? How will we be affected? It matters because, in a world ridden with religious, political, class, and racial divisions, the Equinox (and the Solstices) are moments of shared awe and recognition that we share One world, One reality, and that it is beautiful. When we started restoration of the riverbank and Waters school grounds, we sought events that we could be part of to bring our community together. The celestial Solstice and Equinox were laden with ancient ritual, with scientific revelation, with Universal appeal. So join us to celebrate this worldwide event. The official date and time aren’t that important. But the Equinox reminds people all around the world that a shift is beginning. What will you notice?? On September 23, the length of the day and the night will equalize. 12 hours dark, 12 hours light. Worldwide. On that day, the Sun will rise due east and set due west. This means, amongst other things, that there will be some awesome and unusual spectacles on Chicago’s east-west grid streets. The Sun will pour into the streets, painting them with color and blinding drivers. Another thing is that this day, this moment, marks the time of maximum reduction of the rate of daylight shortening. This has been going on since the Summer Solstice. Slowly, slowly at first, the days began to shorten after June 20, accelerating to maximum at the Autumn Equinox. (Did you notice? It’s 7:30 and dark?) After this day, from our perspective, the shortening of the days will slow down until the Winter Solstice. We will also witness this if we take note of the azimuth of the noontime Sun. The Sun dips, lower and lower onto the southern horizon until, at Winter Solstice, it stops, and reverses, heralding Spring. What a thing! Going on everyday, all around us and around the world. Celebrate! Light a fire. Sing a song. Share food. Tell a tale. This is one way to connect with the whole world, back through ancient times, and with the celestial. – Pete

Gratitude to Jeremy Atherton for the fantastic photography.