$40K in grants given for 24 schoolyard habitat projects in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - Almost $40,000 in grants have been given for 24 schoolyard projects across Illinois.

The money was awarded by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Conservation Foundation.

The Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant Program supports the development and improvement of wildlife habitat on school grounds and in public spaces.

Funding is provided through donations to the Illinois Conservation Foundation and program sponsor the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Foundation.

“This award is a great way for students to engage in creating native habitat spaces in their local area,” said Natalie Phelps Finnie, director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. “By participating in these projects, students learn that their efforts can make a positive difference in the world, and they gain experience in problem-based learning by planning, developing and maintaining the habitat.”

Since the program began, nearly $473,000 in Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant funding has been distributed.

“We want schoolchildren to learn about nature through hands-on experiences,” Finnie said. “Our goal is to have Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant projects developed in every county and eventually at every school. So far, we have supported projects in 88 Illinois counties.”

Applications for the next grant cycle will be accepted later this spring through Nov. 30. Application materials and additional information are available on the IDNR education grants website. For additional information, call 217-524-4126 or email dnr.teachkids@illinois.gov.

The 2026 Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant recipients are:

Clinton County

Bartelso Elementary School, Bartelso – $2,000. Kindergarten through eighth grades, native garden.

Cook County

Amundsen High School, Chicago – $1,815. Grades 9-12, woodland habitat.
Betsy Ross Primary School, Forest Park – $1,992.30. Kindergarten through second grades, pollinator garden.
Brownell Elementary School, Chicago – $1,148.96. Third through sixth grades, pollinator garden.
Cub Scout Pack 3936 at St. Elizabeth of the Trinity School, Chicago – $2,000. Kindergarten through fourth grades, pollinator garden.
Forest Road School, La Grange Park – $2,000. Fourth through sixth grades, pollinator garden.
Lindblom Math and Science Academy, Chicago – $967.50. Seventh and eighth grades, butterfly garden.
Oak Lawn Community High School, Oak Lawn – $2,000. Grades 9-12, woodland and wetland habitat.
Ogden Avenue School, La Grange – $1,700. Third through sixth grades, butterfly and pollinator garden.
Sunset Ridge School, Northfield – $858.42. Fourth and fifth grades, rain garden.

DuPage County

St. Petronille Catholic School, Glen Ellyn – $1,200. Third and sixth grades, pollinator garden.

Franklin County

Christopher Elementary School, Christopher – $1,858. Preschool through kindergarten, pollinator garden.

Jackson County

DeSoto Grade School, DeSoto – $1,684. Sixth through eighth grades, pollinator garden.
Murphysboro Middle School, Murphysboro – $1,237.32. Sixth through eighth grades, pollinator garden.

Kendall County

Oswego East High School, Oswego – $1,989. Grades 9-12, prairie wetland habitat.

Lake County

Cherokee Elementary School, Lake Forest – $2,000. Third and fourth grades, pollinator garden.

McLean County

Normal Community High School, Normal – $1,820. Grades 9-12, native trees.
Normal Community High School, Normal – $1,972. Grades 9-12, native plants.
Normal Community West High School, Normal – $779.70. Grades 9-12, pollinator garden.

Pope County