El Progreso Memorial Library Celebrates Spring Break as a Nature Smart Library Launch

Press release from El Progreso Memorial Library

02-05-26

El Progreso Memorial Library Director Tammie Sinclair
Picture from LinkedIn

UVALDE, TX – El Progreso Memorial Library invites families to celebrate Spring Break with a full week of hands-on, outdoor-inspired learning as part of its commitment to being a Nature Smart Library. From March 9–13, the library will host a variety of nature-based programs designed to spark curiosity, creativity, literacy, and connection to the natural world. The week will culminate with a special Nature Smart Art Day on Saturday, March 14.

As a proud member of the Texas Children in Nature Network and part of the Nature Everywhere Communities movement, El Progreso Memorial Library is committed to ensuring that all children in Uvalde have access to meaningful outdoor experiences that support their health, learning, and overall well-being.

Throughout Spring Break, families can enjoy:

Outdoor theater and nature storytelling
Nature exploration with microscopes
Nature bingo and scavenger hunts
Loose parts play encouraging creativity and problem-solving
Nature-inspired art projects
Hands-on discovery stations

On Saturday, March 14, in partnership with the Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas, participants will create Smart & Art Nature Tiles inspired by local plants, wildlife, and favorite nature stories. These tiles will become part of a collaborative tile project at the library, celebrating the connection between literacy and the natural world.

Our goal is to intentionally tie literacy and the natural world together.

All events are free and open to the public. For a full schedule of activities, follow El Progreso Memorial Library on social media.

Schedule:

Monday, March 9th | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
FREE & open to all families

Texas Children in Nature Network
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Texas Department of State Health Services – Zoonosis Team
Nueces River Authority
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Visit Uvalde County
Deer Valley Apiary
Starbucks
Lower Colorado River Authority
Texas Wildlife Authority
San Antonio Regional Urban Ecologist | Texas A&M Forest Service
Uvalde National Fish Hatchery
Bat Conservation International
Edwards Aquifer Authority
Green Thumb Garden Club
Department of State Health Services Community Health Improvement
Methodist Healthcare Ministries Wesley Nurse Program
KLRN PBS Kids – Bringing Zeke from Work it Out Wombats
- Thanks to KLRN PBS KIDS, children of all ages can enjoy:
  Green It Up activities from Cyberchase
  A Work It Out Wombats! outdoor scavenger hunt
  Hands-on PBS KIDS activities
  A Work It Out Wombats patch for each child
  A free Learn at Home Bag to keep the learning going

Launching March 9th at our Spring Break Event!

We’re excited to introduce 10 LEAP Backpacks that will be available for checkout—as easy as checking out a book with your library card! The same process applies. Simply check one out, take it home, and start exploring the outdoors with your family.

These backpacks are part of our Nature Smart Library initiative and are designed to help families learn, explore, and play in nature together.

LIBRARY EXPLORER ADVENTURE PACKS
Texas Children in Nature Network in partnership with conservation partners from across the state have created backpacks for nature exploration. These packs are available for libraries to chekc out to their patrons. Packs come in a variety of themes and include many materials to explore the outdoors.

These packs feature various themes, all designed with input from local libraries. The packs come filled with nature books and materials needed for outdoor exploration, as well as health information on how to stay safe while engaging in outdoor activities.

Pack Themes

Birds & Birding
Butterflies & Insects
Gardening
Native Plants
Outdoor Skills
Pollinators
Reptiles & Amphibians
River Exploration
Rocks & Fossils
Stargazing

Join us March 9th during Spring Break to celebrate the launch and learn how you can check one out for your next outdoor adventure!

Tuesday, March 10th | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
FREE & open to all families

We’re thrilled to partner with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and welcome a ranger from Garner State Park for a special hands-on experience. This may be the first program at our launch, but it won’t be the last—we’re excited to share that it will become a new ongoing monthly program!

Join a park ranger from Garner State Park to read a children’s story. Skins and Skulls will be on display for all visitors to learn about the animals that can be found in the park. A reading will be done in Spanish and English.

This is a wonderful opportunity for children and families to connect literacy with nature while learning about the wildlife and natural beauty right here in our region.

Wednesday, March 11th | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
FREE & open to all families

Roots of Knowledge, Seeds of Health is a hands-on, intergenerational nutrition and gardening program designed to grow healthier individuals and stronger communities through shared learning and active participation. The program is a collaborative partnership between El Progreso Memorial Library, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Department of State Health Services Community Health Improvement, and the Methodist Healthcare Ministries Wesley Nurse Program, and is offered as part of Uvalde’s designation as a Nature Everywhere Community.

Grounded in evidence-based curriculum from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, the program integrates adult and youth education to support lifelong health.

This program is guided by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s Learn, Grow, Eat, Go! curriculum, engaging families through experiential activities that connect gardening, nutrition, physical activity, and time outdoors. Participants learn by doing—planting, harvesting, tasting, and moving—while strengthening their connection to nature.

The program emphasizes group-based activities that foster collaboration, peer learning, and community connection. Families, caregivers, and participants of all ages learn together through hands-on gardening, cooking demonstrations, and interactive discussions that encourage outdoor engagement and shared responsibility for health and wellness.

Thursday, March 12th | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
FREE & open to all families

We’re excited to partner with the Nueces River Authority (NRA) for our Spring Break Nature Smart program! Kids and families will explore the Nueces River Watershed in Water Table – From Basin to Bay, learning how water flows from the basin to the bay and why protecting our rivers matters.

Friday, March 13th | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
FREE & open to all families

Spring Break Finale on Friday, March 13, featuring special guests from Education Service Center Region 20, Visit Uvalde County and a Houston-based Herpetologist.

ESC-20 – Tales and Tails: A Living Library Experience! The library is going wild with a special story time featuring live animal ambassadors from ESC-20 Learning Alive. Families will read a great book together and get an up-close look at a real animal guest. This hands-on experience connects literacy and science in an unforgettable way — bringing children face-to-face with the wonders of the animal kingdom.

Guests will also enjoy:

Houston-based Herpetologist: Learn about snakes and other critters through live demonstrations and engaging talks.
Visit Uvalde County: Create your own seed bomb in this hands-on activity! Participants will make small seed balls that can be tossed into gardens or natural spaces to help grow plants that provide food and habitat for birds and other wildlife.

In addition to our special guests, each day of Spring Break, El Progreso Memorial Library will offer its own hands-on nature and literacy activities, ensuring families have opportunities all week long to explore, create, read, and discover.

Saturday, March 14th | 10:00 AM
FREE & open to all families

Join us for Smart & Art Saturday to help close out our spring break event!

On Saturday, March 14, participants will create Smart & Art Nature Tiles inspired by local plants, wildlife, and favorite nature stories. These tiles will become part of a collaborative tile project at the library, celebrating the connection between literacy and the natural world.

Post Views: 3