Hands-On Learning Materials Bring Sinks Canyon’s Unique Environment to Lander Students

In Lander, residents have limited opportunities to learn about the unique geology, wildlife, plants, and cultural history found in nearby Sinks Canyon, despite its role as an important educational resource. While Sinks Canyon State Park welcomes around 800 field trip participants annually, most programming has historically focused on tourists rather than local students, and the park lacks adequate indoor teaching space or hands-on materials for educational programs. When the park superintendent recognized this gap in community engagement, she reached out to LOR with a plan to create programming that brings the canyon’s educational value directly to Lander classrooms and community events. The park will develop a comprehensive teaching collection featuring biofacts like replica animal tracks, tanned furs, bird skulls, fossils, and interactive materials that allow students to touch and engage with the canyon’s natural resources. This portable approach enables year-round programming—particularly during winter months when outdoor field trips aren’t feasible—while building partnerships between the state park and local schools. LOR’s funding will help purchase educational materials, storage systems, and portable equipment like wagons and pop-up tents, ensuring park staff can deliver engaging programs wherever Lander students gather.