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 and the Illinois Conservation Foundation. More than $99,600 in donated funds for 107 field trip grants were awarded for 2024. The grant recipients represent 30 Illinois counties.

Second graders at Ruth M. Schneider Elementary School in Farmer City received a grant to attend Homer Lake Forest Preserve in Homer and were awarded $342.

Maroa Forsyth Middle School students will visit Starved Rock State Park with a $500 grant. Additionally in Macon County, Fundamentals Early Learning Academy preschool students will also visit Rock Springs Nature Center with a $750 grant.

Bement Walk Homeschool sixth through 12th graders will go to Plum Creek Nature Center in Beecher with a $350 grant.

Kindergarten through fifth graders at Carlock Elementary School will get to visit Wildlife Prairie Park thanks to a grant worth almost  $1,900. Additionally, Chiddix Junior High School in Normal sixth through eighth grade will go to Fugate Woods in Fairbury with a grant worth $276.

In Champaign County, first graders at Christian Homeschool Connect in Mahomet will get to attend Wildlife Prairie Park in Hanna City and will be awarded $299.

The annual application deadline is Jan. 31 so DNR encourages applying 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.