Page 29 - Priorities #49 2011-April/May

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materials, keeping the finished compost and soil products on campus and using them in the school garden and landscaping. As an avid and enthusiastic composter myself, I am very excited about this program and thelearningopportunitiesthatitwillpresent. (JustaskthestudentsinmyFoodProductionandNatural Sciences class – they will attest that I am not squeamish about getting down and dirty with compost and the worms that live in it!)
Finally,Iinviteyoutoenjoythecampus’naturalbeautywithyourfriendsandfamily. Ifyouhavea keen eye, you might see increased population of western bluebirds foraging in the campus grasslands and perching in student-made brushpiles. If you hear what you think is the chirp of an athletic whistle but no games are scheduled, you might look up to observe an Anna’s Hummingbird, in the middle of its courtship dance, which is a dramatic high-altitude dive bomb followed by a ruby flash, the chirp – which is actually a small sonic boom – and breathtaking swoop back up to repeat the dance again. It is pretty cool to watch, even more so, if you can point it out to a friend or family member. And, walking in the neighboring hills and drainages, you will see higher waters in the local creeks and streams. Here, you will see great blue herons quietly stalking frogs and fish as prey (and gophers, if you see them on terra firma). Or, you might see or- ange newts and small trout and minnows snatching hatching flies from the surface of the deeper pools on Corte Madera creek.
As an effort to preserve this natural beauty, a few Priory students recently participated in the removal of French Broom from some areas adjoining the campus. This invasive weed threatens the diversity of our local plant ecology.
Please take some time to enjoy spring and the wonders of nature. Take a hike, visit the campus, tour the garden, ask the big questions. These are the activities of the life-long learners and stewards that we challenge our students – and ourselves – to become.
Best Wishes for a Green Spring!
Hovey Clark