The Merriam-Gilbert Public Library is located in the center of West Brookfield in a beautiful stone building built in the 1880’s. The Library has created a thriving children’s program involving the kids in many different projects. Kelly Wheeler, EQLT’s Service Learning Coordinator, was invited to the library to teach the participants about the native wildlife in their own backyard. The children were able to see bear skulls, otter pelts, a moose bone, a white tailed deer hide and much more. This assortment was shared from EQLT Stewardship Coordinator Caren Caljouw’s personal collection. Kelly gave the students a chance to guess the animal before she told them and many of the kids already knew some of the species.
After the presentation, the kids all made pinecone bird feeders to take home to offer food for the wildlife in their own backyard.