Central IL schools awarded IDNR field trip grants

Simmy Wood
·2 min read

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The Illinois Department of Natural Resources donated more than $12,000 to several Central Illinois schools for nature and conservation field trip opportunities.

This year, the Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant Program is giving more than $99,600 to 107 field trips across the state. Through the program, teachers can apply to receive field trip funds that will allow students to study Illinois’ natural resources. The money covers transportation and payment of substitute teachers.

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“This program allows students to visit areas throughout Illinois to see firsthand what they’ve been learning about the great outdoors in the classroom,” IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie said. “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.”

The Illinois Conservation Foundation encourages donations for the Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant Program. For more details, visit their website. 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 helped make the 2024 grants possible.

Interested teachers can apply for the next grant by Jan. 31, 2025. For more information, contact the IDNR Division of Education at dnr.teachkids@illinois.gov.

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Central Illinois recipients of the 2024 Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant Program and the grant amounts provided are listed by county below:

Champaign County

  • Christian Homeschool Connect, Mahomet, first grade, Wildlife Prairie Park, Hanna City – $299

  • Faith and Reason Learning Community, Champaign

    • Seventh through 12th grades

      • Starved Rock State Park, Oglesby – $1,197.84

      • Matthiessen State Park, Utica – $980

    • Fourth through 12th grades

      • The Nature Institute, Godfrey – $1,315

      • TreeHouse Wildlife Center, Dow – $1,200

      • Shedd Aquarium, Chicago – $846.60

  • Yankee Ridge Elementary, Urbana, second grade, University of Illinois Pollinartarium, Urbana – $585 

Christian County

  • Gregory Intermediate, Moweaqua, fifth grade, Camp Maranatha, Ramsey – $1,000

DeWitt County

  • Ruth M. Schneider Elementary School, Farmer City, second grade, Homer Lake Forest Preserve, Homer – $342

Douglas County

  • Villa Grove High School, Villa Grove, ninth through 12th grades, Giant City State Park, Makanda – $500

  • Villa Gove CUSD 302, Villa Grove, seventh and eighth grades, Fox Ridge State Park, Charleston – $790

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Livingston County

  • Prairie Central Elementary, Fairbury, second grade, Fugate Woods, Fairbury – $450.96

Macon County

  • Fundamentals Early Learning Academy, Decatur, preschool, Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur – $750

  • Maroa Forsyth Middle School, Maroa, Starved Rock State Park, Oglesby – $500

Moultrie County

  • Sullivan Elementary School, Sullivan, first grade, Ballard Nature Center, Altamont – $1,155.15

Piatt County

  • Walk Homeschool, Bement, sixth through 12th grades, Plum Creek Nature Center, Beecher – $352.94

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