The biggest educational program to swim through the midwest.
 Updated July 28, 2023:Gardening expert Melinda Myers has shared her August gardening activities to her website for you to use with your library patrons. Click the following link, and scroll all the way down to the August video and activity. It can all be accessed at https://www.melindamyers.com/articles/grow-budget-wise-beautiful-gardens-anywhere-2023-library-garden-program. August 2023 - Video & DIY Project: Worm Composting – Convert kitchen scraps into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. Posted June 1, 2023:Gardening expert Melinda Myers has uploaded her June and July gardening activities below to her webpage for you to use with your library patrons:
Here are just a few ways to use the content from Melinda:
Also, your library can access all promotional materials, signage, press release templates, social media posts and images for this content at https://www.melindamyers.com/articles/electronic-press-kit. If you have any questions, email Diana Paul at diana@melindamyers.com. The information below comes from Joshua Stuck, Outdoor Skills Instructor (Crivitz, WI)  Dear Youth Program Coordinator- "I wish there was a summer library program that engaged our youth in books but also got them away from the screens and outside having fun..." Hi! My name is Joshua Stuck. I am a local Outdoor Skills Instructor (from Crivitz, WI) who has been teaching outdoor skills to kids for over 20 years. Would you be interested in a summer library youth program that gets kids excited about some of the most popular outdoor themed books like Call of the Wild, The Hunger Games, and Hatchet? Introducing... the "Call of the Wild Outdoor Skills Youth Program" I've designed a 2-hour youth program where I teach up to 30 youth some of the outdoor skills featured in the world's best outdoor themed books. They'll learn how to make a Survival Shelter like in Hatchet, how to set a survival trap like Katniss from The Hunger Games, how to tie Buck's # 1 Call of the Wild Rescue Knot, and so much more. They even get items during the course to start building their own outdoor survival kit. Outdoor books + outdoor skills = FUN & LEARNING!
 Would you be interested in bringing the "Call of the Wild Outdoor Skills Youth Program" to your library this summer?
LESS SCREEN, MORE GREEN! I hope to talk soon, Joshua Email: PrimitiveGuy@gmail.com PH: 715-587-1331
"How would your library’s summer library reading program be with realistic animatronic dinosaurs? Just imagine the look on the children’s faces when roaring, blinking, and moving dinosaurs are brought out of “containment units” and presented to them in a fun, educational, and extremely fun show! Kids get involved in multiple ways during the show - from pounding their laps to generate "energy" to power the machine that produces the dinosaurs, to helping feed a dinosaur, to even getting to name each creature. They LOVE it! Here is a video clip from the Dinosaur Dimensions’ show. Please take a look and see just how much excitement it brings to the kid’s eyes!" "In addition to the 40-45 minute show, we also host a post-show 15-20 minute meet & greet with one of the dinosaurs! It makes for an experience like no other, with a show, photos, and a chance to pet a realistic looking dinosaur!
As mentioned, we are planning to bring the 45 minute show throughout WI at various points this next summer (I reside in WI). I have many random dates and spots that can be filled. Times are already filling in fast, and at an all inclusive price UNDER $500 (that includes mileage from Wisconsin, meals, and all motel expenses) – you just can’t go wrong! Would this be something your library may have interest in? It is by far one of the best received children's library programs I have ever been involved with!" Curt Strutz Strutz Entertainment Dinosaur Dimensions 262-271-7327 strutzentertainment@outlook.com  https://www.atcllc.com/learning-center/trees-and-vegetation/grow-smart/grow_smart-library/ 5/4/2022 update from Kelly Bolter, Adult Programming Coordinator @ Milwaukee Public Library: We're counting down the days until Melinda Myers will be celebrating Pollinator Month with your libraries and patrons! She’ll be hosting 3 live webinars and 3 youth videos with corresponding DIY projects that can be done as part of library programming with kids, tweens and teens. These projects can also be accessed online for any families or households who would like to do this at home with take home kits. Attached (below), you will find a DIY Project Supplies List created by Melinda. This could helpful for any libraries who plan on including them in a Summer Reading Program, and any take-and-make kits. Please note that step-by-step instructions for each of these DIY projects and the corresponding videos are being produced and will be available online by 5/16 on the program’s webpage, www.atc-GrowSmart.com/library. This page is currently under development. I’ve also attach(ed) a refresher of the Pollinator Month program and content that will be provided to our libraries free of charge (see the attached June 2022 Pollinator Month Factsheet) and information so you can promote the 3 pollinator gardening webinars presented by Melinda to your patrons (see Pollinator Month 2022 Webinar Registration Info). If you have any questions, please contact Diana Paul at diana@melindamyers.com. Thank you for getting the word out about the importance of pollinators and ways we can help them! Please note the dates of the Pollinator Month Webinars are June 1, June 15, and June 22. 
Original post: 3/21/2022
June is National Pollinators Month. In an effort to raise awareness of the importance of pollinators and how everyone can help them, American Transmission Co. is teaming up with gardening expert and author Melinda Myers. Together, they will produce and provide libraries throughout Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with educational programming and content for National Pollinators Month. The content and programming will be made available to the libraries at no cost and the libraries may offer the programs and content to their patrons throughout the month of June... The following information is taken directly from the WI Libraries for Everyone blog post, PBS Wisconsin Education Resources Available (April 19, 2022).  Guest post from Marci Glaus at PBS Wisconsin Education
Whether you are preparing for Oceans of Possibilities this summer or looking to bolster early learning and youth services programming, PBS Wisconsin Education provides both Wisconsin-specific and nationally-curated content you can use as a springboard or central component to educational programming. PBS LearningMedia is a free digital learning website created to support the distribution of compelling Pre-K-12 educational media resources. PBS LearningMedia’s robust and contextualized digital resources are designed to supplement educational experiences with video segments from award-winning PBS documentaries and series, PBS KIDS properties, station-produced programs, and original video and interactive resources! Collaborative Summer Library Program Examples below highlight some ideas from PBS LearningMedia that pair well with preparation for Oceans of Possibilities summer programming:
PBS Wisconsin Education Beyond summer library programming, pbswisconsineducation.org offers seven different Wisconsin-focused collections for grades 3-12 with cross-curricular connections in American Indian Studies, English Language Arts, Environmental Education, Music, Social Studies, and Science. Collections include videos, student interactives, games, educator guides, and more. All of these resources are made with Wisconsin educators, and are completely free to use in any learning space! If you have any questions or would like to talk further, please contact Marci Glaus: marci.glaus@pbswisconsin.org.  Check out this super fun program from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources!
"Make tracks to the nearest state park, forest, trail or recreation area and ask for a free Wisconsin Explorer booklet. Inside you'll find nature activities, scavenger hunts, games, hikes and crafts to help you explore Wisconsin's great outdoors together. Kids who complete the requirements will earn collectible state symbol patches. Don't just sit there - get out and start discovering secrets together!"  Looking to add a spark to your “Tails & Tales” line-up? Sharon Page and the Circus Dogs are national-award-winning performers based right here in Wisconsin!
They’ve retired from live shows, but spent the past four months filming and editing a 48-minute video called “ABC CIRCUS”—the culmination of 25-years performing with animals. This was a labor of love for the 2021 Summer Reading Program theme “Tails & Tales” that will never be repeated! From inspiring to laugh-out-loud funny, the fourteen mini-chapters feature topics ranging from “a puppy’s life in Istanbul” to “dealing with sibling rivalry.” Along the way, their performing dogs and cat showcase over 80 Awwwww-inspiring tricks. Already have live performers booked? Stream “ABC CIRCUS” ahead of the Summer Reading Program as an incentive for families to sign up! There’s even an option to add a “live” Zoom meet & greet with Sharon and all three pets. The following is from Dave Daniels, executive director of the non-profit, Colossal Fossils:  Click Image Above to Download Brochure "We are going to be “cautiously optimistic” and plan for in-person library programs while still offering online alternatives, similar to what we did this past summer. With that said, I’m including the brochure for our 2021 Summer Reading program, “A Whale of a Tale.”
We are going to feature some very large bones from the world’s largest animals, while telling their stories and discussing their fascinating evolutionary paths. We would be happy to put your library in our calendar and are maintaining the same pricing for the in-person programs that we have had for the last two years. I suspect that our calendar will fill up quickly, so if you would like us to pencil you in, please let us know as soon as you can. Also, take advantage of the 10% price reduction by scheduling a program with us before January 1st, 2021. All the best to you. Stay healthy, and I hope we can see each other in person this coming summer. Dave" David Daniels Executive Director, Colossal Fossils Inc. dave@colossalfossils.com ~ 715-303-9407 www.colossalfossils.com  Nestled in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, the Wildlife In Need Center (WINC) is a non-profit organization that provides free medical care for our sick, injured, or orphaned wild neighbors with the intention of returning them to their natural habitat. WINC offers virtual educational programming, as its program may be a fun fit for members of the library community!  WINC's virtual programs allow participants to meet its live Animal Ambassadors very up close and personal as you learn about their unique stories, species ecology and ways to promote Wisconsin native wildlife from its educators. The program provides an interactive experience through the use of polls, visual display, and an open platform for questions. What better way is there to learn about wildlife than from the animals themselves?! WINC's programs can be hosted on its Zoom platform or staff can work with you if you have another platform you prefer. In addition, its team can assist you in advertising your program and organizing the list of participants to ensure a safe online experience. The cost of WINC's virtual program is $100, and can last anywhere between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on your needs. For more information, please visit its website at http://www.helpingwildlife.org/educate/wildlife-education/ Please do not hesitate to contact the WINC Education Team with any inquiries. They hope to work with you and share their knowledge of native Wisconsin wildlife! Education Team
Wildlife In Need Center W349 S1480 S. Waterville Rd. Oconomowoc, WI 53066 Phone: (262) 965-3090 www.helpingwildlife.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildlifeinneedcenter/  For educators, families, students and any who loves the Great Lakes, Wisconsin Sea Grant staff have created coloring sheets to celebrate our great watershed. When your work of art is finished, they would love to see it! You can:
Be sure to tag your image #ColorTheGreatLakes Download the full booklet and let the colors flow! See also: Explore Lake Sturgeon
  David Stokes is a Wildlife Educator in Hales Corners, Wisconsin who has been doing presentations in the Milwaukee Area since 1985. He is an award winning Naturalist/Educator/Entertainer in Wisconsin. David does programming throughout the Midwest and offers library programs for families and children.
A Universe of Animals…Bio-Diversity David uses songs, live animals and things to touch. He also includes puppets, artifacts, riddles, sign-language and humor. David is a Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education Teacher of the Year and an “Aldo Leopold” award winner. The Northshore United Educators (WEAC) honored David for educational excellence. Find out more about his knowledge of Nature, the programs he offers to schools and other institutions, his press kit, and his schedule.
 The time when wild animals are having babies is upon us, and with that the DNR’s Keep Wildlife Wild team is hard at work.
The Keep Wildlife Wild team is tasked with providing information about wildlife species natural behaviors, tips on how to determine if a baby wild animal is truly orphaned, and what to do if someone finds a wild animal who is sick or injured. It provides handouts and a lesson plan, which includes an interactive activity and a list of Keep Wildlife Wild-themed books! These resources and many more can be found at our Keep Wildlife Wild web page, under the Educational Materials tab.  Hello, my name is Melanie Burgess. I am from Keyser WV and I am the author and illustrator of the new award winning children's book called Stinky Owl.
I would like to tell you about my book. My book features the birds of prey from the Rocky Gap State Park aviary and the illustrations are from the park's campground. The book is centered around the Great Horned Owl. Great Horned Owls are one of the few birds of prey that regularly eat skunks. This owl enjoys eating skunks so much that he smells bad and has no friends and is lonely and sad. The book has true facts about each bird of prey in the story along with actual pictures of the birds with additional facts at the end of the book. This story is educational and has a cute story line.  "We offer a program called "Incredible Bats" featuring live Fruit Bats. This is a multi-media presentation in which we display live Egyptian Fruit Bats and African Straw-colored Fruit Bats. It is a program well suited for children and adults.
Our one-hour multi-media program starts with an interactive power point presentation dispelling the common myths and giving an overview of bats worldwide. Embedded in it is our echolocation video from our YouTube channel. The latter part of the talk focuses on local bats and the challenges facing them. After the talk portion two different species of fruit bats are displayed for Q&A. At least one of our striped skunks is brought along for petting and photo ops. You can see our four skunks on our IncredibleSkunks Facebook page. We can also bring out a tarantula, axolotl or gecko. We are licensed by the USDA as Class C exhibitors and carry exhibitor's insurance. We are located in the south suburbs of Chicago and have been giving presentations for over 20 years. Visit our web site or go to our Incredible Bats Facebook page. Your friends at Incredible Bats" |
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