Foundation awards more than $45,000
to environmental projects and programs

[SEPT. 18, 2004]  SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois Conservation Foundation awarded grants Sept. 8 totaling more than $45,000 to 30 organizations, groups and agencies for projects and programs focusing on habitat enhancement, natural resources education and stewardship throughout the state.

"These grants will help make a difference in a variety of ways -- from improving natural resources education in and outside of classrooms to providing outdoor experiences for youngsters and for people with disabilities," said Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Joel Brunsvold, who serves as chairman of the Illinois Conservation Foundation. "All of the organizations and groups receiving foundation grants are providing matching funds as part of their commitment to these worthwhile efforts."

The Illinois Conservation Foundation grant program is supported by private donations, including funds raised at the annual Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame banquet. Grant applications were reviewed by staff and a committee from the foundation's board of directors before being approved by the full board. This is the fourth year of the grant program, which has awarded more than $240,000 in grants for more than 120 projects.

The Illinois Conservation Foundation, an IRS 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, has raised more than $18.5 million since 1995 to support the programs of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

For more information on the grant program and applications for the next round of grants, contact the Illinois Conservation Foundation, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271; phone [phone]; or visit www.ilcf.org.

A list of this year's grant recipients, grant amounts and brief project descriptions follow.

2004 Illinois Conservation Foundation grants

Argo Community High School, Summit, $2,500
-- The Argo Outdoor Laboratory Initiative will allow students to design, plan and build a garden using plant species native to Illinois. Contact: Paula Panfil, [phone], ext. 741

Ballard Nature Center, Altamont, $2,500 -- The nature center will construct a kids' fishing pond for fishing and nature programs. Contact: Karan Greuel, [phone]

Camp Wartburg, Waterloo, $1,900 -- The outdoor education center and summer camp will improve prairie, forest and pond habitat. Contact: Susan Barker, [phone]

Clinton County Rehabilitation Center-Community Link, Breese, $1,500 -- Community Link will install a sensory garden at its east facility in Breese to enhance outdoor experiences for people with disabilities. Contact: Tracy Hermanson, [phone]

Cornerstone Christian Academy of McLean County, Bloomington, $1,000 -- The outdoor education project for fifth-grade students focuses on forestry, wildlife and mapmaking. Contact: April Kinzinger, [phone]

DePue Booster Club, DePue, $1,150 -- The club hosts an annual fishing derby for youngsters at Lake DePue, including education programs, fishing and lunch. Contact: Ron Marquez, [phone]

Ducks Unlimited GreenWings, Edwardsville, $1,000 -- The annual GreenWings Day educates children on the importance of wetland habitat restoration and waterfowl conservation. Contact: Tony Mikrut, [phone]

Eagle Creek State Park, Findlay, $2,500 -- The Links to the Future youth festival at Eagle Creek and Wolf Creek state parks at Lake Shelbyville involves Scouts and other young people from the region in a variety of outdoor recreation activities. Contact: Richard Glazebrook, [phone]

Fishin' Buddies, Chicago, $2,500 -- The organization hosts an annual Kids Fest focusing on fishing and other outdoors experiences for youngsters. Contact: Julian Kidd, [phone]

Fort Massac State Park, Metropolis, $2,000 -- The park will host a daytime program for area schools surrounding the annual Fort Massac Encampment, focusing on the region's history and natural features. Contact: Sheila Richey, [phone]

Glen Carbon Centennial Library, Glen Carbon, $400 -- The library's Bird Watching for Nestlings program is aimed at preschool through middle school students, encouraging bird and wildlife watching and environmental awareness. Contact: Janet McAllister, [phone]

Grand Prairie Friends of Illinois, Urbana, $485 -- The Grand Prairie Friends prairie education program educates area residents on native tallgrass prairie habitat in east-central Illinois. Contact: James Ellis, [phone]

Hall Township High School District 502, Spring Valley, $1,500 -- The school's outdoor classroom includes a self-sustaining butterfly and wildlife habitat managed by environmental sciences students. Contact: Nickole Barto, [phone], ext. 117

Holy Family School, Granite City, $717.50 -- The funds will support a wildlife study program for students to encourage conservation stewardship. Contact: Rosalie Ohlson, [phone]

Hoo Haven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center, Durand, $1,000 -- The center is building an outdoor flight training and exercise pen for birds of prey. Contact: Karen and Steven Herdklotz, [phone]

Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Springfield, $1,490 -- An aquatic ecology program for schoolteachers as part of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources ENTICE program includes sessions at Illinois Beach State Park on Lake Michigan and along the Mississippi River in northwest Illinois. Contact: Randy Wiseman, [phone]

Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Springfield, $2,500 -- An introductory wing shooting program for young people and women offers skills training and basic instruction for shotgun shooting. Contact: Dave Cassens, [phone]

Illinois Federation for Outdoor Resources, Godfrey, $2,000 -- The grant supports an outdoor recreation education program for approximately 180 young people ages 10-16. Contact: Bob Becker, [phone]

John Green Elementary School, Hoopeston, $1,900 -- The funds will support a fifth-grade curriculum focusing on prairie, forest and wetland habitats. Contact: Christy Hott, [phone]

Lincolnland Volunteer Safety Instructors, Pleasant Plains, $1,400 -- A youth wing shooting clinic and upland game hunt will be provided to more than 40 young people, to be accompanied by experienced hunters. Contact: Lou Matsko, [phone]

Mary G. Peterson Elementary School, Chicago, $800 -- The school's Classroom in a Garden project focuses on an outdoor garden curriculum for approximately 300 first- through third-grade students. Contact: Joseph Kallas, [phone]

Prairielands Council - Boy Scouts of America, Champaign, $2,500 -- The organization is developing a shooting sports facility for Scouts at which shooting skills and safety education will be available year-round. Contact: Michael Graham, [phone], ext. 18

Sallie Logan Public Library, Murphysboro, $765 -- The library will use the funds to add to its collection of books and materials for children, focusing on nature and outdoor recreation. Contact: Donella Odum, [phone]

Special Recreation Foundation, Franklin Park, $2,000 -- West suburban youngsters ages 10-15 will experience outdoor recreation activities, including camping, boating, hiking and stargazing. The program is targeted to low-income children and youngsters with disabilities. Contact: Robin Tammeling, [phone], ext. 260

Sugar Grove Nature Center, McLean, $500 -- Funds will support development of a bat education mobile unit to enhance education programs and workshops in central Illinois. Contact: Angela Smith, [phone]

Trees Forever, Peoria, $2,000 -- The group has developed a coloring book entitled "Together We Grow" designed to educate children on forest resources. Contact: Tom Miller, [phone]

Tri-County Special Education, Murphysboro, $2,500 -- The funds will support an outdoor education program for young people with disabilities in Jackson, Perry and Union counties. Contact: Aaron Thompson, [phone]

Unity West Elementary School, Tolono, $2,500
-- A forest habitat to enhance environmental education is being developed at Unity West Elementary School with the help of the Champaign County Forest Preserve District. Contact: Duane Walton, [phone]

University of Illinois Extension - Montgomery County, Hillsboro, $800 -- The funds will support the Montgomery County Youth Conservation Day for more than 300 fifth-grade students, with information presented on native plants, soil and water conservation, and local ecosystems. Contact: Kelli Bassett, [phone]

Why Not Now Incorporated, Princeville, $1,242 -- The funds will support installation of an accessible boat dock to enhance fishing and boating opportunities for people with disabilities. Contact: Brad Guidi, [phone]

[Illinois Department of Natural Resources
news release]