Nature Discovery Backpacks

Watersheds Canada, in partnership with different community groups across Canada, has been developing and delivering the Nature Discovery Backpack lending library program. See if there is a lending library near you!

If there isn’t a local lending library near you yet, your group can bring the Nature Discovery Backpack program to your province or territory. Fill in this form to get started!

 

Addington Highlands, Ontario

In partnership with Addington Highlands Public Library, Watersheds Canada launched a Nature Discovery Backpack lending library in 2025. Ten backpacks with five different themes (geology, splish splash, forest life, night sky and navigation, and things with wings) and a new equipment and book permanent collection are now available for students and families to borrow. Funding support was provided by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.

More information coming soon!

 

 

Bancroft, Ontario

In partnership with North Hastings Community Integration Association, Watersheds Canada launched a Nature Discovery Backpack lending library in 2025. Eighteen backpacks (custom to grades K-6, 7-12) and a new equipment and book permanent collection are now available for educators, students, and adult to borrow. Funding support was provided by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation and Kawartha Credit Union.

More information coming soon!

 

 

Buffalo Lake, Alberta

In partnership with Buffalo Lake Métis Settlement, Watersheds Canada launched a Nature Discovery Backpack lending library in 2024. Thirty backpacks were created under the guidance of local Elders and staff and were also Alberta-curriculum linked for K-12 students.

Learn more

 

 

Carman, Manitoba

Watersheds Canada provided two freshwater-themed backpacks in 2023 to the Boyne Regional Library to add to the suite of nature-themed backpacks they have available to borrow. These freshwater-themed versions of the Nature Discovery Backpack are Manitoba-curriculum linked and encourage families to explore local freshwater bodies and the species that call these areas home.

 

 

 

Gravenhurst, Ontario

Watersheds Canada, in partnership with Gravenhurst Public Library, launched a Nature Discovery Backpack lending library in 2025. Five different themed Ontario-curriculum linked Backpacks and a new permanent book collection for the library are available for students in grades K-12 to borrow. Funding support was provided by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation and Kawartha Credit Union.

More information coming soon!

 

 

Greater Madawaska, Ontario

Watersheds Canada, in partnership with Greater Madawaska Public Library and Learning Centre, launched a Nature Discovery Backpack lending library in 2023. Ontario-curriculum linked Backpacks and a new permanent book collection for the library are available for students in grades K-8 to borrow. Funding support was provided by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.

Learn more

 

 

Hastings Highlands, Ontario

Watersheds Canada, in partnership with Hastings Highlands Public Library and Lake St. Peter Property Owners Association, launched a Nature Discovery Backpack lending library in 2023. Fifteen Ontario-curriculum linked Backpacks are available for students in grades K-8 to borrow. Funding support was provided by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.

Learn more

 

 

Katarokwi / Kingston, Ontario

Watersheds Canada, in partnership with Kingston Frontenac Public Library, is launching a Nature Discovery Backpack lending library in summer 2025. Five Ontario-curriculum linked Backpacks will be available for students and families to borrow. Funding support was provided by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.

More information coming soon!

 

 

N’Swakomok / Greater Sudbury, Ontario

Watersheds Canada, in partnership with Junction Creek Stewardship Committee, Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation, and the Greater Sudbury Public Library, launched an English Nature Discovery Backpack lending library in 2022 and French library in 2023. Over 50 Ontario-curriculum linked Backpacks are available for students in grades 7-12 to borrow from two lending libraries in the area: the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation library, and all Greater Sudbury Public Library branches. Funding support was provided by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, and Peterborough K.M. Hunter Charitable Foundation.

Learn more

 

 

Owen Sound, Ontario

Watersheds Canada, in partnership with Grey Sauble Conservation, is launching a Nature Discovery Backpack library in fall 2025. Eighteen Ontario-curriculum linked Backpacks will be available for children and adults to use through Grey Sauble Conservation’s programming. Funding support was provided by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.

 

 

 

Perth, Ontario

Watersheds Canada, in partnership with YAK Youth Services and Friends of the Tay Watershed, piloted a Nature Discovery Backpack library. Thirty Ontario-curriculum linked Backpacks were available for students in grades 7-12 in 2021. Funding support was provided by Peterborough K. M. Hunter Charitable Foundation, and TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.

 

 

 

Regina and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Watersheds Canada, in partnership with Girl Guides of Canada-Saskatchewan Council, launched a Nature Discovery Backpack lending library in 2024. Twenty Saskatchewan-curriculum linked Backpacks were available for students in grades K-10. Funding support was provided by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.

 

 

 

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Watersheds Canada, in partnership with Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) – Manitoba, launched a Nature Discovery Backpack lending library in 2023. Twenty-six Manitoba-curriculum linked Backpacks are available for students in grades K-8 to borrow from CPAWS-MB during their workshops. Funding support was provided by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.

Learn more