Over 99k granted to Illinois schools for conservation-based field trips

CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Over 7,000 students in Illinois will have the chance to visit state parks, museums and other natural resources this year, thanks to grant money from the Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant Program.

On Friday, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced that close to $100,000 was awarded throughout the state, funding 113 student field trips. The program will fund 16 field trips for Central Illinois students.

“This program allows students to visit natural, outdoor locations throughout Illinois to see firsthand what they’ve been learning about in the classroom,” IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie said. “Our future conservation leaders need the opportunity to experience Illinois’ natural resources in person. We are pleased to be able to support learning outside the classroom with these grants and are grateful to the donors for their support.”

Illinois teachers can apply for the grant program here, which would allow them to take students on field trips to study natural resources in Illinois. The money covers expenses like transportation costs and substitute teachers. The activities must directly relate to the school’s curriculum.

For more information about the program, contact the IDNR division of education at dnr.teachkids@illinois.gov. You can find out how to donate to the Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant Program here.

2025 Grant recipients:

Champaign

• Franklin STEAM Academy, Champaign. Sixth grade. 4-H Memorial Camp, Monticello. $1,147
• Franklin STEAM Academy, Champaign. Sixth grade. 4-H Memorial Camp, Monticello. $1,398

Christian

• Central School, Taylorville. Prekindergarten. Scoville Zoo, Decatur. $2,500
• Homeschool, Morrisonville. Sixth grade. Starved Rock State Park, Utica. $60
• Memorial Elementary, Taylorville. Fourth grade. Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur. $2,000
• Memorial Elementary, Taylorville. Third grade. Pere Marquette State Park, Grafton. $900

Douglas

• Villa Grove CUSD #302, Villa Grove. Seventh and eighth grades. Fox Ridge State Park, Charleston. $770

Iroquois

• Milford Grades School, Milford. Fourth grade. Kennekuk County Park, Danville. $396

Macon

• Dennis Lab School, Decatur. Sixth grade. Miller Park Zoo, Bloomington. $1,298
• Mount Zion High School, Mt. Zion. Ninth through 12th grades. Camp Ondessonk, Ozark. $1,000

Macoupin

• Carlinville Primary School, Carlinville. Second grade. Beaver Dam State Park, Plainview. $508.60
• Carlinville Primary School, Carlinville. First grade. The Nature Institute, Godfrey. $700

Piatt

• Walk Homeschool, Bement. Seventh through 12th grades. Plum Creek Nature Center, Beecher. $337.40
• White Heath Elementary, White Heath. Fourth and fifth grades. 4-H Memorial Camp, Monticello. $1,890

Sangamon

• U.S. Grant Middle School, Springfield. Sixth grade. Camp Cilca, Cantrall. $787.08

Shelby

• Gregory Intermediate, Moweaqua. Fifth grade. Camp Maranatha, Ramsey. $900