Backup — original pdf

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Austin Public Library Nature Smart Libraries Initiative Cities Connecting Children to Nature Laura Tadena Community Engagement Librarian Nature Smart Library Strategy Chair Austin Public Library OVERVIEW Background and Overview of CCCN APL’s Nature Smart Library Initiative Future Plans & Opportunities CITIES CONNECTING CHILDREN TO NATURE (CCCN) AUSTIN Cities Connecting Children to Nature is a national initiative initiative that seeks to create more equitable and abundant access to nature in cities through a partnership between The National League of Cities Institute for Youth, Education, and Families and the Children & Nature Network. CCCNS VISION AND MISSION Cities Connecting Children to Nature strives to ensure every child has access to and connection with nature every day. WE ARE COMMITTED TO CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH THE NATURAL SPACES WHERE THEY LIVE, LEARN, AND PLAY, WHICH FOSTERS LIFELONG BENEFICIAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH NATURE. CCCN COLLABORATES ACROSS INSTITUTIONS AND SYSTEMS, AMPLIFYING EFFORTS, SHARING RESOURCES, AND CREATING PARTNERSHIPS THAT DEEPEN OUR COLLECTIVE VISION AND ADVANCE OUR MISSION. CCCN AUSTIN: OUR EVOLUTION City adopts Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights & begins collection of nature deficient area data Four focal strategies with Outdoor Learning Environments (OLE!) Temp, Full-Time Coordinator position funded through WPD; FTE CCCN Program Coordinator position reclassified as Program Manager 2016 2018 2020 2022 Critical look at integration of racial equity lens to all strategies; Integration into City-wide plans; new NSL Strategy Chair & adoption of new APL Strategic Plan 2017 2019 2021 2023-PRESENT Austin receives strategic planning & implementation grant from CCCN Focus on Green School Parks, Nature Play, Youth Leadership & FTE CCCN Program Coordinator position through PARD Five focal strategies with addition of Nature Smart Libraries Temp, Full-Time Coordinator position becomes FTE, funded through WPD + PARD; Dedicated funding for Nature Play and Joint-Use sites in City Budget CCCN AUSTIN: 2022 ACCESS TO NATURE MAP ZIPCODE ANALYSIS: MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME, CHILD POPULATION, INVERSE TREE CANOPY, WATERWAYS, & PARKLAND DISADVANTEGED ACCESS TO NATURE 5%-15% 16%-30% 31%-50% 50%-97% AUSTIN CHILDREN’S OUTDOOR BILL OF RIGHTS The Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights (COBOR) illustrates what equitable access to nature should look like in Austin and establishes a common foundation and high aspirations for nature connection in the community. Austin City Council unanimously voted to pass the COBOR on January 26, 2017. Sign The Austin COBOR CCCN AUSTIN: FIVE STRATEGIES Green School Parks Nature Play Early Childhood Emerging Green Leaders Nature Smart Libraries SYSTEMS CHANGE APPROACH The Cities Connecting Children to Nature (CCCN) strategy in Austin uses a systems change model to create long-term, equitable impact. APL’S NATURE SMART LIBRARY EXPANDING CONNECTIONS TO NATURE THROUGH SPACES, STAFFING, AND DAILY OPERATIONS. Green Spaces & Sustainable Infrastructure Literacy Access & Storywalks Nature-Focused Programming Green Teams & Sustainable Operations Staff Training & Partnerships  GREEN SPACES & SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE Pollinator Gardens & Native Landscaping Outdoor learning and Discovery Areas Green Infrastructure & Sustainable Design Nature Play & Nature Pathways Eco-Centered Stations & Operations Eco-Friendly Indoor Exhibits and Features COLLECTIONS: LITERACY ACCESS & STORYWALKS Physical and Digital Materials STEM Nature Kits & Backpacks Seed Libraries Tool Libraries/Libraries of Things Nature Applications & Databases Permanent Story Structures Temporary Storywalks bit.ly/NatureSmartLibrary For more research and resources, check out our Nature Smart Library book list! NATURE-FOCUSED PROGRAMMING Year-round programming: Core-programming (storytimes, playtimes, book clubs) Signature & Heritage Month Programming Summer Programming Passive Programming - Nature Kits Partner-led Programming: Outdoor and active programming (biking, yoga, scavenger hunts) Sustainable Living (gardening, composting, zero- waste) Outreach and pop-up services GREEN TEAMS & SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS Library Green Team Composting Recycling & Zero Waste Initiatives Energy Efficiency & carbon Reduction Sustainable Library Supplies & Practices Staff Training & Engagement STAFF TRAINING & RESOURCES Project Wild unstructured promotes creativity + imagination increases physical activity Circulating Kits Loose Parts Kit Nature Play Kit Summer Nature Programming Kit STEM Kits Texas Children in Nature Summit (College Station - Dec 2025) Train the Trainer Models Nature Everywhere - National Conference Networking Calls and Meetups PARTNERSHIPS City’s Parks and Recreation Department Partnerships developed through Texas Children Texas State Parks and Wildlife Department National Parks Services County Master Gardeners in Nature Network (TCiNN) Local Audubon Society Local Nature Education Groups Local Nature Botanical Gardens & Nature Local Parks Foundations or Conservancy Non- Centers Schools and Universities City or County Departments of Sustainability profits Native Plant Society Small nurseries or Waste Management Local sustainable groups - food banks & community gardens EXPANDING EFFORTS: CURRENT PROJECTS Pollinator Gardens & Nature Play Installation of gardens at 2 branch locations - Ruiz and Cepeda Windsor Park on deck with update to existing landscape along Storywalk Accessibility updates to existing Storywalks Bringing nature play elements through Parks and Recreation Department ECO Rise Internships Partnership with Austin Resource Recovery & Economic Development Programming Partnerships: Food Forest Storytime Brings families out into nature when the library can’t provide the space Introduces food resources to families experiencing food insecurity Connects families to volunteer opportunities in nature Builds a more connected community EXPANDING EFFORTS: NATURE PLAY IN PRACTICE Future Grant funding to support expansion efforts: Staff Training Storywalk additions Programming Kits Programming funding Expanding Efforts: Tracking and Reporting Streamline efforts to operationalize circulation of kits: Collaborative tracking and reporting system Shared inventory and processes for circulating kits Updates to create specialized loose parts kit (sensory, outdoor, learning, etc). NATURE SMART LIBRARIES LIBRARY LOCATION GARDENS STORYWALKS FACILITY FEATURES NATURE PLAY CENTRAL LIBRARY AFRICAN AMERICAN CHF CARVER BRANCH CEPEDA BRANCH HAMPTON BRANCH AT OAK HILL HOWSON BRANCH JOHN GILLUM BRANCH (NORTH VILLAGE) LITTLE WALNUT CREEK BRANCH MENCHACA ROAD BRANCH MILWOOD BRANCH OLD QUARRY BRANCH PLEASANT HILL BRANCH RECYCLED READS BOOKSTORE RUIZ BRANCH ST. JOHN BRANCH SOUTHEAST BRANCH SPICEWOOD SPRINGS BRANCH TERRAZAS BRANCH RECYCLED READS BOOKSTORE TWIN OAKS BRANCH UNIVERSITY HILLS BRANCH WILLIE MAE KIRK BRANCH WINDSOR PARK BRANCH YARBOROUGH BRANCH PATIO & ROOFTOP GARDEN BEDS POLINATOR POLINATOR POLINATOR ABOVE GROUND POLINATOR - IN DEVELOPMENT OUTDOOR LEARNING AREA ALONG SHOAL CREEK PATIO MURAL BIKE TRAIL HIKING TRAIL & PAVILION OUTDOOR SEATING COVERED PATIO GREEN SPACE WITH TREE CANOPY OUTDOOR ART & GREEN SPACE OUTDOOR SEATING & GREEN SPACE GREEN SPACE GREEN SPACE OUTDOOR SEATING & GREEN SPACE OUTDOOR SEATING & GREEN SPACE HISTORIC TEJANO TRAIL TOOL LIBRARY OUTDOOR SEATING, GREEN SPACE ALONG TRAIL IMAGINATION STATION X X X X (BRAILE) GREEN SPACE OUTDOOR ART & GREEN SPACE GREEN FEATURES coming soon RESOURCES For more research and resources, check out our Nature Smart Library book list! bit.ly/NatureSmartLibrary THANK YOU & CONTACT LAURA TADENA Community Engagement Librarian Nature Smart Library Strategy Chair Austin Public Library laura.tadena@austintexas.gov