The joy, focus, and self-satisfaction of this young man and his comrades, boys and girls working together, was both playful and moving. I could see the teacher grinning ear to ear, watching her young charges working together, negotiating strategy and effectively creating what turned out to be a complicated structure. It was impressive!

Have you ever built a fort? Think back to that moment ... remember how your imagination was sparked? You created something of significance that was bigger than you. You did it.

Just like your fort, you built the Urban Ecology Center. No, really ... YOU did it! There is no way to do this important work without your support. We need every stick to make it work. You made the organization grow to three strong branches in Milwaukee. You transformed parks into outdoor classrooms that enable hands-on learning. You created a child's lasting connection to nature.

I'm continually amazed by the abundance we find in our community and the generosity of others that makes so much of it possible. But seeing moments like the class building a fort for the first time are really some of the best. The enthusiasm and excitement from that boy and his classmates and the pride of their teacher became so contagious – it lifted me up that day.