Building The ToolBox
Want to create your own ToolBox for your community?
While creating a ToolBox requires a small investment of time and money, many aspects can be sustainably and cheaply sourced using recycled and second-hand materials.
The original ToolBox (pictured here) was built with found and repurposed items.
While you can use the original ToolBox design as a model, allow your creativity to shine by working with what materials you can find!
Places to find free/cheap materials:
Roadsides
Garage sales
Second-hand stores (Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, etc.)
Inside The ToolBox
The primary elements of The ToolBox are
The library containing books and field guides
The native seed exchange
The binder with introductory information and environmental brochures, pamphlets, etc.
The journal to share local wildlife and plant sightings and stories
Below you will find more details about each element.
- Library:
Books
Books can be "checked out" using an old-school library card system, with a three week honor system return policy.
Whenever possible, we purchase our books through the local nature center or a used book store. We also use recycled paper and cardboard to make check out cards.
The following books can be found in the original ToolBox and are highly recommended to use as the core library for your ToolBox:
-Nature's Best Hope by Douglas W. Tallamy
-Bringing Nature Home Douglas W. Tallamy
-Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer
-Generation Dread: Finding Purpose in an Age of Climate Anxiety by Britt Wray
-Sustainability: A History by Jeremy L. Caradonna
-The Death and Life of the Great Lakes by Dan Egan
-Landscaping with Native Plants of Michigan by Lynn M. Steiner
-A Sand County Almanac Aldo Leopold
-Silent Spring Rachel Carson
Below is the informational page included in the binder:
Field Guides
The ToolBox also contains a growing library of Michigan/Great Lakes field guides that can be checked out.
Visit the "Field Guides" sections of the Plants, Wildlife, and Water pages to explore suggested field guide options.
Whenever possible, we purchase our field guides through the local nature center or a used book store.
2. Native Seed Exchange:
Responsible sharing
Before you or your community share seeds, it is vital to understand the principles of responsible harvesting and sharing.
See the informational page (below) included in the binder for details:
Describing your seed selection
Use this Canva template (example page pictured below) to create a document describing which native plant seeds you have available in your ToolBox.
Use the information found in the species description at wildflower.org and michiganflora.net to create additional listings.
Always check Michigan Flora to ensure a species is native to your area before you share!
Below is the informational page included in the binder:
Packaging seeds
Make sure your seeds are completely dry before sharing.
Below is the informational page included in the binder that depicts an example of sustainable packaging using only recycled paper.
3. Binder:
Purpose
The binder's purpose is to introduce people to The ToolBox and guide them to the resources of this website (yourtoolbox.org).
It is meant to provide pedestrians passing by The ToolBox with basic information on what The ToolBox is and what resources are offered.
Introductory document
Print this introductory Canva document and include it at the beginning of the binder.
Brochures, pamphlets, etc.
In addition to the introductory Canva document, you can also include brochures, pamphlets, etc. about local environmental issues and organizations.
Brochures and pamphlets are chosen based on their relevance to a particular area. For example, the original ToolBox is located in a lake community, so information on shoreline stewardship is included.
Use this premade collection of documents to get you started! Feel free to add or remove pages you feel may be relevant to your area. Try to keep all information clear and simple, using QR codes to direct people to more in-depth information.
Binder materials are printed on recycled paper. The materials have QR codes and people are encouraged to take pictures of pages of interest. This means all materials stay in the binder to cut down on paper waste.
Here are links to some great resources for free downloaded materials:
4. Journal:
Purpose
The journal offers your community a chance to share their environmental stewardship journey.
Leaving handwritten notes and messages helps us to see each other and find common ground.
You may wish to provide a box with the journal so visitors can write notes at home to leave in The ToolBox.
Prompts
Here are a few prompt ideas to incorporate in the journal:
Progress: Share how you are supporting habitat and wildlife in your yard.
Memories: How has the ecology of the area changed over time? Do you have a treasured nature memory?
Concern: Are you worried about the future of our environment?
Fun: Do you have a favorite animal or plant?
Branding Your ToolBox
Logo
Please use The ToolBox's logo on the outside of your ToolBox so people can identify a familiar visual.
Below you will find a Google Drive link containing the logo materials for The ToolBox.
Spreading the word
We challenge you to find creative, sustainable solutions to spreading the word and making signage.
For example, the original ToolBox has business cards made from recycled boxboard (such as cereal and tissue boxes) that are hand stamped with a custom logo stamp purchased from RubberStamps.com. Find the logo stamp file in the Google Drive folder link above.
As an alternative to sharing physical business cards, you can use The ToolBox's digital business card.
Adding Your Community to the Website
If you have built your own ToolBox and wish to have only pictures and the location of your ToolBox listed on this website, fill out this Google Forms survey, but only respond to the required fields.
If you have built your own ToolBox and wish to have a more thorough community page listed on this website, follow these steps:
Prepare lists of the following items (see details in the drop down menu below):
Local places to visit
Local organizations
Create up to 3 Canva documents and/or StoryMaps on environmental topics relevant to your community (see details in the drop down menu below)
Take pictures of your ToolBox (see details in the drop down menu below)
Once 1 thru 3 are complete, fill out this Google Forms survey
Wait for a response from thetoolboxcommunity@gmail.com
View the Pleasant and Pero Lakes community page for an example.
Notes:
Don't forget to credit all images
Don't upload pictures that identify people or places without permission
Negative commentary singling out individuals or groups of people will not be allowed
The administrators of The ToolBox reserve the right to ask for and make edits
Places to Visit
Please provide a list of places to visit and any associated website addresses in the following format:
1. Name of Place (web address)
Examples of places to visit:
Parks
Nature centers
Preserves
Local Organizations
Please provide a list of local organizations and any associated website addresses in the following format:
1. Name of Organization (web address)
Examples of local organizations:
Watershed groups
Conservation districts
Land conservancies
CISMA (Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area)
Environmental Topics
Please provide links for to up to 3 Canva documents and/or StoryMaps detailing environmental topics in your community in the following format:
Title of Topic (web address)
Title of Topic (web address)
Title of Topic (web address)
Examples of environmental topics:
Invasive species of local concern (you can use this Canva template as a guide)
Local watershed details/maps and water quality concerns
Habitat fragmentation/connectivity maps
Details on native species important to the area