The Alameda Free Library in partnership with the National Park Service, the East Bay Regional Park District and the Alameda Recreation and Parks Department has just launched a fun new project called Libraries Outside.
Did you know that citizens from the past 2-3 decades are very likely to know about the perils of deforestation & the effects of global warming, but likely can’t tell you when they last hiked a trail, camped under the stars or just lay looking at cloud shapes? The loss of a relationship with our natural outdoor world has resulted in generations that are becoming progressively more unhealthy, stressed and isolated, but this is something that can be reversed.
The Libraries Outside partnership seeks to provide easy access to information and materials to help us all get outside and into the wonderful parks that surround us here in the Bay Area.
The Library will provide daypacks that can be checked out. These packs will be filled with nature guides and binoculars as well as a whole packet of materials from the parks including trail maps, Jr. Ranger workbooks, park information and more.
Additionally, there will be presentations by our parks partners at the Main Library, Library work-days in the parks and the opportunity to take part in Ranger/Naturalist led hikes in the area. If it’s been a while since you’ve been in one of the parks, these activities will be a safe way to get back out there.
More information on the project, information about upcoming events and links to all our partners can be found on the project blog, www.librariesoutside.us . This blog will feature as a virtual bulletin board, so bookmark it and check back often.
