Prairie’s Edge Exploration Backpacks are funded by the DNR No Child Left Inside Mini Grant with the purpose of engaging families in the Museum’s outdoor prairie area and connect them to other prairies in the region. Backpacks could also be used by families to observe, explore, and discover nature in city parks, local neighborhoods, or even their own back yard.

To learn more about the Prairie's Edge Exploration Backpacks, check out this blog post!

Each backpack includes:

• binoculars in a case
• one large and one small bug viewer
• one tweezers
• MN prairie pocket field guide
• large magnifying glass
• fold-up mesh bug habitat
• nature activity cards on a carabiner clip
• clipboard with an attached pen
• soft measuring tape
• first aid kit with two single-use sunscreen packets
• list of area nature centers and parks that are within 30 miles and have prairie areas.

A Junior Park Naturalist book is also included with each backpack, and this item is for you to keep. 

Each family can check out one (1) backpack for one (1) week. A $25.00 security deposit will be collected upon reservation of a backpack. The security deposit will be refunded to you once the backpack has been returned to the Museum and staff has completed inventory of the backpack. All items must be returned to the Museum. The security deposit will not be returned if any items are broken or missing.

Thank you for checking out a Prairie’s Edge Exploration Backpack!