Milo, son, and Ayun, mom, happened to wander by the Compost Outpost one summer day in 2013, and by the following season they were regular volunteers at Earth Matter’s Friday work days. They brought with them smiles to light up a cloudy midnight sky!
Milo immediately hit it off with our crew of animals, apprentices and regular volunteers, including Shafina, Emmanuel, Toni and family, among many others. Not only is Milo something of an Earth Matter ambassador, showing new visitors around the Center and explaining what goes on here, but he is also a steady worker, helping out with whatever chores and tasks there are to be done. For example he helped Compost Manager Charlie Bayrer re-install the hoop house end wall base—no small task. Milo’s mom, Ayun, often paints interpretive signs for our Center, and is one of our “apple core” animal care providers.
We asked Ayun why she comes out to the Center with Milo, her home-schooled son. “It has been a treat for both of us to spend half a day on beautiful Governors Island and share lunch and stories with everybody together.” She adds, “It’s a rarity for kids to have recreation outside, in fresh air. As kids get older, their schools’ fixed schedules prohibit them from spending much time in the great outdoors—or even in their recess yard.”
By Marisa DeDominicis