French and English backpacks are available to borrow each summer from all thirteen Greater Sudbury Public Library (GSPL) branches thanks to a partnership with Watersheds Canada, Junction Creek Stewardship Committee (JCSC), Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation, and the Greater Sudbury Public Library. Over 50 Ontario-curriculum linked Backpacks are available for families and adults to borrow across the N’Swakomok / Greater Sudbury, Ontario area. Each Backpack includes activities and field equipment, such as a tiny water quality test kit, aquatic dip net, binoculars, and identification guides. The contents will help increase student engagement and identification skills regarding local species, and contribute to local environmental sustainability knowledge and action.
Don’t live in the N’Swakomok / Greater Sudbury area but still want to get outside and exploring your local nature areas? Use our handy Nature Discovery Backpack checklist to see what you might want to bring with you on your next outdoor adventure. You can also download a free Nature Discovery Backpack workbook which will help get you started on outdoor adventures in your own community – English version, or French version!
In the Media
- Des sacs à dos remplis de connaissances pour explorer la nature prêtés aux jeunes, Radio-Canada. 15 juillet 2023, édition Web.
- Backpacks for nature exploration available at local libraries, Sudbury Star. 13 July 2023, web edition.
- Empowering Youth for Junction Creek seeks input for second year, CBC News. February 24, 2022, web edition.
- Backpack program aims to inspire urban explorers to reconnect with nature, CBC News. June 2, 2022, web edition.
- A new program in Sudbury is hoping to get people outside, enjoying nature and discovering their neighbourhood, CBC Radio. June 2, 2022, web edition.
- Earth Fest: Junction Creek, Watersheds Canada, and GSPL Nature Discovery Backpacks, reThink Green. June 9, 2022, web edition.
- Media release – Greater Sudbury families connecting with nature through new Nature Discovery Backpack lending library program, Watersheds Canada. July 5, 2022, web edition.
Project partners and supporters:
