Funding available to school districts for outdoor field trips

[November 03, 2008]  SPRINGFIELD -- Grant money is once again available to Illinois school districts that want to take their students to some of the state's best outdoor locations. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Division of Education, in cooperation with the Illinois Conservation Foundation, is announcing the Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant program. Grants are available to teachers who want to take their students to visit various natural resources sites to learn about nature and conservation.

"Illinois' natural resources are meant to be experienced, and this program helps students visit locations throughout the state to see firsthand what they've been learning about in the classroom," said Sam Flood acting director of the Department of Natural Resources. "These grants help facilitate a whole new world for students, who may not otherwise have such an opportunity."

The grant program, established in 2000, is soon to hit a notable milestone. With the 2009 distribution of funds, more than $325,000 will have been distributed and more than 35,000 students will have been able to participate. All funds have been donated to the Illinois Conservation Foundation for the program, most notably from the Independence Tube Corp. of Chicago and the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Foundation of Skokie.

"Grant recipients are located throughout Illinois and represent students from pre-kindergarten through high school," said Valerie Keener, administrator of the IDNR Division of Education. "Learning activities must be related to the Illinois Learning Standards from the Illinois State Board of Education."

The annual application deadline is Jan. 31, 2009. Funding is administered by the Illinois Conservation Foundation and covers expenses such as the costs of transportation and substitute teachers. There is a $500 application limit per teacher.

The application form is available online. It can be downloaded from http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/
education/classrm/grants.htm or requested through the online order form at http://www.idnrteachkids.com. For more information about the grant program, contact Valerie Keener at [e-mail] or 217-785-0973. The Illinois Conservation Foundation accepts donations for the Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant program. Visit http://www.ilcf.org/ for additional information.

[Text from Illinois Department of Natural Resources file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]