HUDSON VALLEY- Hudson Valley families have even more opportunities to learn and explore nature thanks to partnerships between public libraries in the Hudson Valley and the Mid-Hudson Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK). Now in its third year, the Library Support Program, which was conceived and implemented by the Mid-Hudson Chapter, funded 12 libraries in the Hudson River region to support “Learning About and Appreciating Nature and the Environment.”
“We are thrilled to work with the Mid-Hudson Library System through our Mid-Hudson Chapter to connect families and children with New York’s outdoor spaces,” said Michael Barrett, ADK’s Executive Director. Libraries were invited to submit proposals to underwrite the cost of programs and services to provide opportunities for kids and their families to learn and explore nature.
The purpose of the Library Support Program is to provide opportunities for families and children of all ages to participate in, appreciate, and learn about the joys and benefits of the natural world including creatures, plants, and recreational opportunities. Proposals must be consistent with and in support of the Adirondack Mountain Club’s (ADK’s) mission to protect New York’s wild lands and waters by promoting responsible outdoor recreation and building a statewide constituency of land stewardship advocates.
Carla Barrett, the Chapter’s Program Chairperson, said “ADK is excited about its Library Outreach Program which is in its third year. Local libraries have become major forces in many of their communities combining the love of books with other activities. Libraries are already important sources of learning fun for children and their families, and the Adirondack Mountain Club simply funded the amazing ideas and energy of library staff. We particularly like that these library programs get participants into nature with its fresh air and sunshine. The libraries make it fun to be outside, exploring and learning about the nearby world.”
“Developing a love for the outdoors through fun and educational experiences is key to ensuring future generations love and care for the natural world,” said Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, Executive Director of the Mid-Hudson Library System. “We’d like to thank the Mid-Hudson Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club for recognizing area libraries as co-creators in their vision to protect New York State wild lands and waters by promoting responsible outdoor recreation and building up the number of folks who believe in land stewardship.”
Funding varied by program need and averaged $500 for the following libraries:
- Beekman Library: Funding of a monthly after school Nature Club.
- J.L Butterfield Library: Creation of a nature and sustainability oriented Little Free Library on the Hudson River waterfront.
- D.R. Evarts Library: Development of loanable nature backpacks designed to increase patron’s understanding and appreciation of natural resources and each person’s role in conserving.
- Grinnell Public Library: Outdoor Explorer Backpacks which contain different nature-themed books, observation tools, and other exploration items.
- Kent Public Library: Nature backpacks which include a guidebook to the backpack’s ecological theme and tools.
- Kinderhook Memorial Library: A three-part multi-season program called “Native Plants and Pollinators in Columbia County” in conjunction with the Columbia Land Conservancy.
- Millbrook Library: Two new program series for children and teens: Family Nature Walks & Teen Eco-Crafts.
- Reed Memorial Library: Creation of a StoryWalk themed “Treating Nature with Kindness” on the Putnam County Bike/Trailway.
- Roeliff Jansen Community Library: Expand its outdoor program along a trail to the Roe Jan Kill.
- Staatsburg Library: Collaboration with the Pollinator Patrol Club for nature exploration through a series of 12 guided hikes, and an introduction to citizen science through a Monarch butterfly larva monitoring program.
- Tivoli Free Library: Support ecology based, reusable, STEM and Arts Kits for families and children aged 1-14.
- Woodstock Library: Guided hikes and hiking packs as a part of the library’s “Woodstock Gets Wild: Outdoor Adventures Beyond the Library Shelves” program.
This program was built upon the belief that young people who learn to love things in nature will want to protect nature when they are adults when they can make a difference in their work, community involvement and recreation. They will support ADK’s mission, and most importantly, they will want to save the environment. Contact your local library today to see what they are offering!
