Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant allows for 6,600 students to visit Illinois state parks
SOUTHERN Ill., (KBSI)- More than 6,600 students will visit Illinois state parks, natural areas, museums, and other natural resources sites this year to learn about nature and conservation thanks to funding through the Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant Program.
The program is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the Illinois Conservation Foundation (ICF).
More than $99,600 in donated funds for 107 field trip grants were awarded for 2024.
The grant recipients represent 30 Illinois counties.
“This program allows students to visit areas throughout Illinois to see firsthand what they’ve been learning about the great outdoors in the classroom,” said IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie. “Our future conservation leaders need the opportunity to experience Illinois’ natural resources in person.
We’re pleased to be able to support learning outside the classroom with these grants.”
Funding for the 2024 grants was made possible by private donations from the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Foundation of Skokie and the D.F. and M.T. Grohne Family Foundation of Wilmington.
The donations and grant funding are coordinated by the ICF.
Since its inception in 2001, the Biodiversity Field Trip Grant Program has distributed more than $1.5 million, and more than 128,000 students have been provided the opportunity to take part in a field trip.
Grant recipients are located throughout Illinois and represent students from pre-kindergarten through high school.
The competitive grant program allows Illinois teachers to apply for funds to take students on a field trip to study Illinois’ natural resources.
Learning activities must directly relate to the school’s curriculum. Funding covers expenses such as transportation and substitute teachers.
The annual application deadline is Jan. 31; apply online now.
For more information about the program, contact the IDNR Division of Education at dnr.teachkids@illinois.gov.
The ICF gladly accepts donations for the Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant Program. Go online for additional information.
2024 Biodiversity Field Trip Grant recipients
Franklin County
Christopher High School, Christopher, 10th through 12th grades, Cache River State Natural Area, Belknap – $490
Jackson County
East Side Intermediate School, Harrisburg, fourth grade, Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center, Makanda – $3,000
Union County
Anna Jonesboro Community High School, Anna, 10th grade, Cache River State Natural Area, Belknap – $500
Anna Jonesboro High School, Anna, 12th grade, Cache River Wetland Center, Cypress – $328.18
Cobden High School, Cobden, 10th through 12th grades, Cache River Wetlands, lower access, Ullin – $1,600
Jonesboro Grade School, Jonesboro, kindergarten through 8th grade, Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, Marion – $687.27
Williamson County
Carterville Intermediate School, Carterville, fifth grade, Cache River State Natural Area – $4,500
Carterville Junior High School, Carterville, eighth grade, Little Grassy Lake and Giant City State Park, Makanda – $2,500
Carterville Junior High School, Carterville, eighth grade, Little Grassy Lake and Giant City State Park, Makanda – $2,500
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Herrin, second and third grades, Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center, Makanda – $1,473.24
