Our bodies and our sanity are under attack following recent rains. Slap as we may, it’s hard to beat the mosquitos. There are lots of companies ready to step in (for a hefty price) with expensive applications of “mosquito spray.” Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as a specialized chemical application for mosquitos; the spray kills fireflies, butterflies, native bees, honeybees–all kinds of insects that we like to see and need to have in our environment.

Saturday, April 12th was a big day for DA Sustainability! After months of mulching and prep work, the whole school was invited to help plant a half acre of trees, shrubs, grasses, and other plants. We began by spreading out topsoil for the garden beds. The weather was cool and cloudy, and there was lots of mud from recent rains, but we were glad it wasn’t too hot and or actively raining. The mud, despite messing up my sneakers, made it easier to dig holes for the plants.

Groundbreaking on the Elder Oak Commons

Editor’s note: On Saturday, April 12, eighteen volunteers from the DA community were joined by landscape designer Preston Montague and Extension Master Gardener student Kevin Westfield to plant five hundred shrubs, trees, grasses and other native plants at the corner of Pickett and Ridge Rds. This work began the long-planned conversion of a grassy expanse to a biodiverse environment on campus. Upper School Director Lanis Wilson participated and wrote this reflection in his weekly newsletter, Yo La Tengo.

Good Sunday Morning all and Chag Pesach Sameach to those celebrating Passover this weekend. 

I hope this message finds you enjoying this pleasantly cool weekend. As the sun filters through the newly green canopy this morning, I find myself reflecting on yesterday’s Elder Oak Commons planting event. What a profound experience it was to work alongside fellow faculty and their families, our hands in the soil, planting native plants and saplings that many of us may never see reach their full majesty.