Hours & Location
Main navigation Calendar
Open search form

Search

Advanced Search

The Saint Paul Public Library will be closed on Sunday, April 21 (Easter).

Nature Smart Library

NATURE SMART

Learning through nature at six libraries

ABOUT

The Nature Smart Library initiative provides resources, programming, and access for youth to interact with nature in their neighborhoods.

Nature Smart Library locations offer Nature Backpacks that can be checked out. Each backpack focuses on a theme, such as Birds, Weather, Winter Fun, and more.

All library locations have storytimes, and storytimes at the Nature Smart Library often include nature themes.

These locations have outdoor areas where families can learn about native plants, see pollinators in action, and more. Riverview installed a bat house in 2018, Hamline Midway Library hosted a worm farm, and Highland Park Library offers a weekly Nature Smart Trading Place.

BACKPACKS

Check out a backpack and start exploring nature right outside your door!

Themes include:

  •      Insects & spiders
  •      Birds / Trees
  •      Urban animals & Urban animals of the night
  •      Camping
  •      Winter Fun
  •      Weather
  •      Reptiles / Frogs
  •      Pollinators

EXPLORE

Resources, events, and Nature Smart opportunities.

Collection Heading

What is your favorite bird?

What is your favorite bird?
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

What is your favorite bird?

  • Robin
    0
  • Cardinal
    0
  • Chickadee
    0
  • Sparrow
    0
  • Blue Jay
    0
  • other
    0
Check out a book about birds

Fun with Feathered Friends

Hands-on activities for family fun including bird crafts, “birds on a stick”, touch and feel artifacts, and binoculars for bird-watching!
Kids / Nature Smart / Science

What is Climate Change?

Books about climate change for kids.
by SPPL_Aura
STAFF LIST / Kids / Books / Nature Smart / Science

I <3 Earth Picture Books

Picture books that support the Earth and environmentally friendly practices.
by SPPL_Aura
STAFF LIST / Birth to K / Books / Nature Smart / Science

Bat House at Riverview Library

We are crossing our fingers that we have some bats set up their summer home at Riverview Library's new Bat House this year.
by tmscherbel
BLOG POST / Nature Smart / Lifelong Learning / Science

Seed Library at Riverview Library

The Growing West Side Seed Library is open for business. This year you can "check out" seeds whenever Riverview Library is open.
by tmscherbel
BLOG POST / Adults / Nature Smart / Community / Lifelong Learning

Get Growing!

Books for all your gardening needs
by SPPL_Anna
STAFF LIST / Books / Nature Smart / Science

SPPL/Bell Museum STEAM Storytime series…

Check out these great storytime titles about scientists and the scientific process.
by SPPL_Pam
STAFF LIST / Birth to K / Books / Nature Smart

Explore Outdoors Saint Paul

Explore Outdoors Saint Paul is a family-friendly Meetup site offered by Saint Paul Parks & Recreation and Natural Resources.
WEBSITE / Nature Smart

Check out Nature Smart backpacks

Check out Nature Smart backpacks from Hamline Midway, Highland Park, Merriam Park, Riverview, St Anthony Park, and Sun Ray Libraries.
CATALOG SEARCH / Nature Smart / Nature Smart Backpacks
Back to Top
Close