SIDNEY — With spring on everyone’s mind, the Shelby SWCD and Shelby County Libraries would like to announce two series of programs they are collaborating on during the spring and summer.

One series is called “Conservation Creations” and will offer a nature-based craft and conservation education to both kids and adults in the community. The second series is called “Conservation Storytimes” and will include reading two to three books about a certain topic, a song and an interactive activity for children in the community.

“I am really looking forward to working with the Shelby County Libraries for the Conservation Creations and Conservation Storytimes series. I am hoping these series teach kids and adults about the environment around them, inspire them to engage with nature more often and give them an opportunity to express some creativity,” said Amanda Hurley, Shelby SWCD education and outreach coordinator.

The first event will kick off on Wednesday, March 1, at Amos Memorial Public Library in the community room at 10 a.m. This will be a Conservation Creations activity for children to make a pinecone birdfeeder, create a nesting ball, and learn about birds.

There will be another Conservation Creations event on Saturday, March 4, at 11 a.m. at Amos Memorial Public Library at 11am. Community members will have the opportunity to make and decorate a gourd birdhouse, make a nesting ball, learn about attracting birds to their yard and learn about gourds from a member of the Ohio Gourd Society. Shelby SWCD and Shelby County Libraries appreciate registration for this event as supplies are limited; you can register by stopping by or calling the Children’s Desk at Amos Memorial Public Library 937-419-0567.

There will be upcoming events at Amos Memorial Public as well as the branch libraries in Fort Loramie, Botkins, Anna and Russia. Follow Shelby SWCD or Shelby County Libraries on Facebook for upcoming events or contact Hurley at the Shelby SWCD office if you would like a list of dates for these events.

If you have questions about upcoming events email or call Hurley, Shelby SWCD ([email protected], 937-492-6520, ext 2597.