Thanks to the generous support of the Sawyer Fund and the Northern New York Community Foundation, Tug Hill explorers at the Boonville, Constableville and Western Town libraries will soon have even more opportunities to discover nature right in their own backyard.
In the coming weeks, each library will receive two new Tug Hill Explorer Backpacks—an Insects Backpack and a Ponds & Streams Backpack—to add to the Birding and Tracking Backpacks they already have. Together, these hands-on resources will give children, families, and nature enthusiasts the tools and guidance they need to explore the wildlife and habitats found throughout the Tug Hill region.
From searching for insects and learning about their important role in local ecosystems to exploring the importance of ponds and streams, the backpacks make outdoor learning accessible, educational, and fun. Families can borrow the backpacks just like a library book and head outside to explore on their own time and at their own pace.
By providing the tools and resources needed to explore close to home, the Tug Hill Explorer Backpack Program helps remove barriers to outdoor learning and encourages curiosity, exploration, and a deeper appreciation for nature. These experiences can help foster a lifelong appreciation for Tug Hill’s wildlife and habitats while inspiring stewardship and outdoor learning for all ages.
Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust is grateful to the Sawyer Fund and the Northern New York Community Foundation for supporting outdoor education and helping create more opportunities for local families to explore, learn, and connect with nature.
If you or your business would like to sponsor a backpack for a local library, or if your library would like to request a program, please contact us at 315-779-8240.
Libraries participating include
Jefferson County: Adams, Adams Center, Black River, Carthage, Dexter, Ellisburg, Rodman and Watertown
Oswego County: Central Square, Mexico, Orwell, Parish, Pulaski, Sandy Creek and Williamstown
Lewis County: Constableville, Lowville, Lyons Falls, Martinsburg, Osceola, Port Leyden, West Leyden
Oneida & Herkimer Counties: Barneveld, Boonville, Camden, Holland Patent, Poland, Prospect, Remsen, Rome, Turin, Western Town, Woodgate