Thanks to a new partnership between national freshwater conservation charity, Watersheds Canada, and Grey Sauble Conservation Authority (GSCA), families now have access to free outdoor learning resources to explore their local nature this summer.

Eighteen backpacks full of animal and plant identification guides, exploration tools like binoculars, and regionally-specific activity books are now available to borrow free of charge with a library card through 20 local libraries across Grey and Bruce Counties. These backpacks are a part of Watersheds Canada’s Nature Discovery Backpack program, a growing national program with 37 community partners across five provinces and two territories that focuses on decreasing barriers for children and youth to build a relationship to their local nature.

“Watersheds Canada is thrilled to launch a new Nature Discovery Backpack lending library alongside Grey Sauble Conservation,” said Monica Seidel, Watersheds Canada’s national education director. “The area is shaped by the Niagara Escarpment, and is home to critical cold-water streams, parks, wetlands, and old-growth forests, making it a perfect place for families to explore, connect, and protect nature.”

Since the inception of Watersheds Canada’s Nature Discovery Backpack program in 2021, over 6,000 children and youth have been reached through 26 lending libraries filled with 385 backpacks.

“By making these resources widely accessible, the program helps reduce financial and geographic barriers to outdoor education while encouraging more people to explore the natural spaces in their own communities,” said said Chelsea Vieira, GSCA’s environmental educator. “We hope this program continues to inspire curiosity, strengthen connections to nature, and foster a lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship. Thank you to Watersheds Canada for creating a lasting resource that will benefit communities across the region for years to come.”

The Owen Sound, ON project was generously funded by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, and Sydenham Conservation Foundation. To help launch the program, two interactive workshops were held in July 2026 to introduce the backpacks and show how to use the included field equipment and educational materials. These events encouraged families to build confidence in identifying local species, exploring water quality, and participating in community science.

“Bruce County Public Library plays an important role in connecting its patrons with information, experiences, and opportunities for life-long learning,” said Billie Tenhage, Bruce County Public Library’s programming & community engagement supervisor. “These Nature Discovery Backpacks are a wonderful way to encourage children and families to explore the natural world around them while building their curiosity and literacy skills. We’re grateful for this opportunity to partner and provide our community with resources that inspire learning and discovery.”

To learn about the national network of Nature Discovery Backpack delivery partners and see if a lending library is in your community, please visit watersheds.ca/our-work/nature-discovery-programming/nature-discovery-backpacks/.

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About Watersheds Canada
Watersheds Canada is a registered Canadian charity committed to providing programs to communities across the country to engage and help individuals enhance and protect the health of their lakes and rivers. Since 2002, they have delivered freshwater stewardship programming, shoreline naturalizations and assessments, and in-water habitat restorations. To learn more, visit Watersheds.ca

About Grey Sauble Conservation Authority
Grey Sauble Conservation Authority (GSCA)’s vision is for a vibrant watershed, supported by GSCA, where ecosystems thrive, and communities are healthy, safe and prosperous. GSCA’s mission it to champion a healthy and safe watershed through innovative conservation efforts, sound planning, and inspiring education initiatives, now and in the future. To learn more, visit GreySauble.on.ca

For more information:
Monica Seidel
National Education Director
Watersheds Canada
seidel (at) watersheds.ca

Grey Sauble Conservation Authority
media (at) greysauble.on.ca