Environmental

Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grants Awarded


SPRINGFIELD, IL–(ENEWSPF)–February 28, 2014.  The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the Illinois Conservation Foundation (ICF) today announced that 32 Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grants have been awarded from the fall 2013 application period. A total of $24,115.25 has been distributed. 

“The Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant provides children and educators with the opportunity to develop wildlife habitat, reduce mowing, and increase the use of native plants in Illinois landscapes,” said IDNR Director Marc Miller. “Students take part in all phases of these projects, and realize that they can make a difference in the world. These gardens also provide learning experiences that support the educational curriculum.”

The Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant program supports the development or enhancement of wildlife habitat on the school grounds or other public place. Funding for the program is provided through donations to the ICF. The Jadel Youth Fund, Evanston, and the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Foundation, Skokie, are the major sponsors for this program. Grants to support the program were also received from the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Education Program and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. More than $163,000 in Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant funding has been distributed since the program’s inception. 

“We want school children to learn about nature through hands-on experiences,” Miller said. “It is our goal to have Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant program projects developed in every county of the state and eventually at every school.”

Applications are being accepted now for the November 30, 2014, Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant application deadline. See http://dnr.state.il.us/education/CLASSRM/grants.htm for the application form and related information or call 217-524-4126 or email [email protected].  

2014 Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant
Grant Winners

Champaign County
Martin Luther King, Junior, Elementary School, Urbana. Grades: kindergarten-5. Project: enhance an outdoor science laboratory by adding additional prairie plants and trees. Grant Award: $905.00.

Coles County
Douglas-Hart Nature Center, Mattoon, and Charleston High School, Charleston. Grades: 9-12. Project: improve a woodland and woodland/prairie transition zone. Grant Award: $998.90.

Cook County
Washington Irving Elementary School, PTO. Grades: kindergarten-5. Project: plant two butterfly gardens. Grant Award: $537.50.
Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School, Chicago. Grades: 9-12. Project: enhance an existing prairie plot by increasing diversity of species. Grant Award: $1,000.00.
Prosser Career Academy, Chicago. Grades: 9-12. Project: develop a prairie plot and butterfly garden. Grant Award: $1,000.00.

Du Page County
Holy Family Catholic Academy, Inverness. Grades: kindergarten-8. Project: plant a prairie garden. Grant Award: $761.30.
Pathway Connections Childcare Center, Lisle. Grade: prekindergarten. Project: plant a butterfly garden. Grant Award: $1,000.00.
Thomas Middle School, Arlington Heights. Grades: 6-8. Project: create a native butterfly garden. Grant Award: $984.00.
Thomas G. Scullen Middle School, Naperville. Grades: 6-12. Project: incorporate a butterfly garden into the outdoor classroom. Grant Award: $995.00.
Whittier Elementary School, Wheaton. Grades: kindergarten-5. Project: establish a pollinator garden. Grant Award: $659.24.

Effingham County
Effingham High School, Effingham. Grades: 9-12. Project: develop a butterfly and bird garden. Grant Award: $700.00.

Grundy County
Minooka Community High School, Channahon. Grades: 9-10. Project: continue a prairie restoration project. Grant Award: $1,000.00.

Henry County
Wethersfield Community Unit School District 230, Kewanee. Grades: 2 and 5. Project: expand a butterfly garden and develop a shade garden with native plants. Grant Award: $964.10.

Jackson County
Murphysboro Middle School, Murphysboro. Grades: 6-8. Project: establish a native prairie and pollinators study garden. Grant Award: $600.00.

Jersey County
Journeys School, Region III Special Education Cooperative, Jerseyville. Grades: 9-12. Project: develop a habitat area to attract hummingbirds. Grant Award: $998.16.

La Salle County
Caring Hands Daycare, La Salle. Grade: prekindergarten. Project: develop a native prairie garden. Grant Award: $806.70.

Macon County
William Harris Elementary School, Decatur. Grade: 4. Project: plant a butterfly garden. Grant Award: $386.60.
William Harris Elementary School, Decatur. Grades: kindergarten-6. Project: build bird houses and bird feeders. Grant Award: $352.00.

Madison County
Collinsville Area Recreation District – Willoughby Farm, Collinsville. Grades: prekindergarten, 1, 4, 9-12. Project: create pollinator fields. Grant Award: $1,000.00.

Mason County
Midwest Central High School, Manito. Grades: kindergarten-5, 11-12. Project: install a butterfly garden. Grant Award: $720.39.

McDonough County
Bushnell-Prairie City Community Unit School District #170, Bushnell. Grades: 8-12. Project: enhance an existing pond habitat. Grant Award: $1,000.00.
 
McLean County
Heartland Community College Child Development Lab School, Normal. Grades: prekindergarten-5. Project: develop a butterfly garden. Grant Award: $993.03.

Morgan County
Illinois School for the Visually Impaired, Jacksonville. Grades: 1-12. Project: create a butterfly/hummingbird habitat, build songbird nesting boxes and plant trees to attract birds. Grant Award: $740.23.

Sangamon County
Glenwood Elementary School, Chatham. Grades: 1 and 4. Project: expand a rain garden. Grant Award: $758.00.

Warren County
United West Elementary School, Monmouth. Grades: kindergarten and 3. Project: create a butterfly garden and two songbird gardens. Grant Award: $265.60.

Whiteside County
Prophetstown High School, Prophetstown. Grade: 12. Project: construct and install bat roosting boxes. Grant Award: $500.00.
Prophetstown High School, Prophetstown. Grade: 12. Project: plant a butterfly garden. Grant Award: $600.00.

Will County
William J. Butler School, Lockport. Grades: 1-4. Project: establish a native garden to attract butterflies. Grant Award: $600.00.
Peotone High School, Peotone. Grades: 9-12. Project: plant a butterfly/hummingbird garden. Grant Award: $416.00.
John R. Tibbott Elementary School, Bolingbrook. Grades: kindergarten-5. Project: add a butterfly garden to the outdoor learning area. Grant Award: $660.00.
William E. Young School, Homer Glen. Grades: 1 and 3. Project: install a butterfly garden. Grant Award: $918.00.

Winnebago County
Burpee Museum of Natural History, Rockford. Grades: 1-10. Project: plant a prairie garden. Grant Award: $295.50.

Source: illinois.gov

 


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