Thanks to the generosity of the Klindt Family, young explorers visiting Dexter Free Library now have even more opportunities to discover the outdoors through hands-on learning and adventure.
The Klindt Family recently sponsored a Tug Hill Explorer Birding Backpack and Tracking Backpack for the library, providing children and families with free access to tools and resources that help them connect with nature. Each backpack is filled with books, field guides, and interactive equipment designed to encourage exploration of the wildlife and natural habitats found throughout the Tug Hill region.
Whether identifying birds by sight and sound, searching for animal tracks, or learning about local ecosystems, these backpacks make outdoor discovery accessible, educational, and fun for all ages. Families can borrow the backpacks just like a library book and explore at their own pace in local parks, trails, backyards, and other outdoor spaces.
For Sandy Young Klindt, the goal is simple: inspire curiosity and a love of nature in the next generation.
“If one child uses the backpack and discovers this is something they like, then it is a success” said Klindt.
The Tug Hill Explorer Backpack Program helps remove barriers to outdoor learning by providing families with the resources they need to explore nature close to home without having to purchase their own supplies and tools. By fostering curiosity, observation, and hands-on experiences, the program encourages a deeper appreciation for wildlife and the landscapes that make the Tug Hill region unique.
Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust is grateful to the Klindt Family for supporting outdoor education and helping create opportunities for local children and families to experience the wonders of nature right in their own backyard.
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, Westernville, Woodgate