Sachem Public Library
Discovery Grove

Discovery Grove continues to evolve and grow. Our most exciting update this year was the installation of a living willow structure. We commissioned an artist that is also a willow farmer, so he has an intimate knowledge of his medium. He and his crew traveled from Ohio with the willow rods to create a beautiful and visually interesting willow nook for us.

Visiting children from one of the elementary schools were fascinated by the catkins on the willow rods in the spring and to learn about the build and how it will evolve over time to have a domed roof. The children have enjoyed watching the willow fill in with beautiful green leaves all summer, change color, then eventually lose its leaves in the fall. They like to spend quiet time in the willow with their thoughts or a book. Children have also created complex creative play scenarios involving the willow as “home base”, “the house”, “jail”, and “school”. We are also excited to offer our first Storytime in the Willow in April for preschoolers. What a wonderful, peaceful place among the leaves for children to experience stories and songs.

In the coming year we are going to explore citizen science in Discovery Grove. We would like to introduce this collaborative effort not only to the children but to their families. Many children have an innate desire to be in nature. We try to keep that flourishing by nurturing and encouraging what comes naturally to them when they are very young. As they get older, they can get distracted by more indoor activities and technology.

Our desire is to keep them outside, interacting with and appreciating all that nature has to offer. By getting children involved in real science research, where they are the ones doing the observations and providing the data, we hope to keep them engaged and actively involved in protecting the environment for the remainder of their lives. We hope this cultivates in them a sense that there is value in having a vested interest in the future of our natural world.