Welcome to the SSWCD Library Corner Programming page! This page is for our Library partners to see our current programming and available activities, and schedule quarterly presentations as they see fit. Please use this link to make your request. Someone will from our office will follow-up regarding your request. 

Presentations:

Program Title	Description	Recommended Audience	Recommended Activities(s)	Recommended Timeframe
History of the Watershed	A comprehensive look at local watersheds. Presentations exist for Portage Lakes, Furnace Run, Wingfoot Lake and Yellow Creek.	Adults	Presentation Bingo	Quarter 1
Winter Wildlife Survival	Discover the strategies used by wildlife to survive the harsh winter months.	All ages	Macroinvertebrate Mayhem	Quarter 1
Urban Impacts on Streams	Explore the connection between urban development and the health of local streams.	Adults	Portable Enviroscape, MacroMayhem, Soil Testing	Quarters 1-4
Introduction to Composting	Learn the basics of composting including how it works, what to use and the benefits.	Adults	Make your own compost	Quarter 1
Common Invasives	Learn how to identify common invasives, and control their spread.	Adults	Seed balls, common invasive ID game	Quarter 1
Rain Gardens	Dive into the design, purpose and impact of rain gardens. Learn how to select the proper plants and create a sustainable design.	Adults	Rain garden design, portable enviroscape, soil testing, native plant root game	Quarter 2
Adding natives to your Landscape	How to select the best native plants for your yard and replace invasive/non-native species.	Adults	Seed balls, invasive ID game, native plant game, soil testing	Quarter 2
Water Quality Monitoring/Volunteer Pitch	Explore the different types of water monitoring: physical, chemical and biological, and learn how to join our volunteer program.	All ages	YSI/Macros Kit, water quality testing	Quarter 2
Macroinvertebrates	Learn about how these tiny aquatic bugs serve as indicators of water quality. Presentations exist for adults or for kids	Adults ​Kids	Build a bug, Macro Mayhem	Quarter 2
Edible Native Perennials	Explore a wide variety of native perennials that provide food for humans and wildlife.	Adults	Edibles/partners ID, native plant game	Quarter 3
Rain harvesting in your Backyard!	Explore rain harvesting systems including: rain barrels, disconnected downspouts, rain gardens and more.	Adults	Design a rain garden	Quarter 3
Watershed Stewardship	Learn how to care for our local watersheds through sustainable practices, community involvement and land management.	All ages	Portable enviroscape, macro mayhem	Quarter 3
Stream Substrates - home for fish, macros and salamanders	Explore how these organisms rely on substrate for food, shelter and reproductions, and how humans impact these things.	All ages	Macro mayhem, build a bug	Quarter 3
Leave the Leaves	Discover how leaving leaf litter helps stormwater runoff, improves soil health, creates natural compost and prevents the pollution of local streams.	All ages	Leafy art project	Quarter 4
Water Cycle	Discover how the water cycle supports ecosystems, and shapes our natural resources.	All ages	Incredible journey, water quality testing	Quarter 4
General Stormwater	Learn how precipitation creates runoff, and discover how it can carry pollutants into local streams, rivers, and lakes.	Adults	Portable enviroscape, macro mayhem, soil testing	Quarter 4
Soils Unearthed	Explore the fascinating science of soil formation, its essential role in supporting plant life, and its impact on water quality and ecosystems. Come learn about the different types of soil, how they interact with the environment, and soil conservation techniques for land management!	Kids	Soil food web, soil box, soil testing	Quarter 4

Activities:

Activity Title	Description of Activity	Approx. Duration
Seed Balls	A fun and hands-on way to engage with nature and promote pollinator-friendly habitats. Participants mix seeds, clay, and compost to create small balls that can be tossed into bare or neglected areas. Seed balls naturally break down with rain, allowing the seeds to germinate and grow into vibrant wildflowers or grasses.	45 min
Build a Bug	Participants use craft materials to design and construct their own bugs, incorporating key features like antennae, wings, or legs. This hands-on activity encourages exploration of how insects are adapted to their environments while sparking curiosity about the role bugs play in ecosystems.	45-60 min
Soil Testing	Explore the science of soil with a hands-on soil testing activity! Using a simple kit, participants can measure key soil elements such as pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in their own soil. This engaging activity helps uncover what plants need to thrive while teaching the importance of soil health in supporting ecosystems and sustainable gardening practices.	60 min
Soil Food Web	Dive into the fascinating world beneath our feet with a soil food web activity! Participants will explore the interconnected relationships between organisms like bacteria, fungi, earthworms, and plants that work together to create healthy soil. This interactive activity highlights the critical role soil biodiversity plays in nutrient cycling, plant growth, and ecosystem balance.	30 min
Soil Box	Bring soil science to life by allowing participants to examine different layers of soil and their unique properties. Using a clear container filled with layers of sand, silt, clay, and organic matter, participants can observe how water moves through soil, how plants take root, and how different soil types support ecosystems.	30 min
Macro Mayhem	Macro Mayhem is an engaging activity that teaches participants about water quality and the importance of aquatic life in freshwater ecosystems. Players observe different communities of macroinvertebrates, experiencing how pollution, habitat changes, and environmental stressors impact their survival.	30-45 min
Water Quality Testing	Have a local stream nearby? Bring a small water sample for testing! Discover the hidden story of your stream—what’s happening beneath the surface—and learn practical ways to improve its health.	30 min
Design your own Rain Garden	Participants can map out their ideal garden layout on graph paper, selecting native plants and strategically placing features to manage stormwater effectively. This project highlights the importance of rain gardens in reducing runoff and improving water quality.	45-60 min
Portable EnviroScape	Discover how water travels across the land! By reenacting the flow of surface water, participants will observe how different substrates influence water movement and help reduce stormwater runoff and pollution.	15-30 min
Make your own Compost	Can you craft the perfect compost? Put your skills to the test as you create a paper compost, balancing the right mix of nutrients for optimal results. It’s your chance to turn waste into gold—on paper, at least!	15-30 min
Fallen leaves Art Project	This project ​combines creativity with nature exploration, allowing participants to collect colorful leaves and use them to create unique artwork. Whether making leaf rubbings, collages, or animal shapes, this activity highlights the beauty of autumn while fostering an appreciation for the natural world.	45-60 min
Edibles/Partners identification	Think you can spot the difference between nature’s tasty treasures and their toxic twins? Test your skills as you examine common edible species alongside their poisonous look-alikes. Is it the delicious Yellow Morel or the dangerous False Morel? The choice—and the challenge—is yours!	45-60 min
YSI/Macros Kits explained	Dive into the world of water science! Discover how experts uncover the secrets of our streams by using a YSI meter to test water chemistry and sampling for macroinvertebrates. These hands-on techniques reveal whether our waterways are thriving.	15-30 min
Incredible Journey	Embark on a journey as a water droplet navigating the water cycle! Travel through each stage, collecting beads at every stop. Will you linger in the vast ocean, home to 97% of Earth's water, or race through plants, animals, and soil in an epic adventure?	45-60 min
Native Plant root guessing game	Can you guess the length of our native roots? Some answers will surprise you!	15-30 min
Painting with Plants	Create a stunning masterpiece using our beautiful native plants! Highlight the natural charm of these plants while showcasing their unique beauty through your artwork.	30-60 min