Nature Backpacks

A partnership between the Library of Virginia, Virginia State Parks and the Science Museum of Virginia provides 87 library systems with 784 nature backpacks. Available to check out, the backpacks help families learn about nature in their backyard, in a local park or at one of Virginia's 43 state parks.

Each backpack comes with a parking pass that allows the library patron to visit any Virginia State Park at no cost (except for Natural Bridge and Southwest Virginia Museum state parks that charge a per-person entry fee). Backpacks also include pocket guides to bugs and slugs, animal tracks, Virginia birds, mammals, Virginia trees and wildflowers and geology; a port-a-bug field observation container; a magnifying lens; a dip net; a compass and binoculars; a ruler; forceps; a Big Foot–themed Leave No Trace Ethics Card; and laminated sheets with suggested activities designed by both Virginia State Parks and the Science Museum of Virginia.

The program began in 2013 with backpacks being distributed to Virginia libraries that were geographically near a state park. Over the years, the program has been extended to all Virginia public libraries.

Nan Carmack, director of Library Development and Networking at the Library of Virginia, advocates for the public library being a place “where people go to learn. It’s really an entire learning system for our natural world.” She adds, “The idea of strapping on a backpack and going adventuring is an appeal to all. Hopefully this will spark some curiosity, and they’ll come back and learn some more.”

This project is made possible with federal funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and through generous in-kind contributions from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Science Museum of Viginia.