SPRINGFIELD – Schools in Franklin, Jackson, Pope, Saline, Union and Williamson counties are among 107 statewide that have been awarded grants this year from the Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant Program.

The program is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the Illinois Conservation Foundation (ICF).

More than $99,600 in donated funds for 107 field trip grants were awarded for 2024. The grant recipients represent 30 Illinois counties.

The competitive grant program allows Illinois teachers to apply for funds to take students on a field trip to study Illinois’ natural resources. Learning activities must directly relate to the school’s curriculum. Funding covers expenses such as transportation and substitute teachers.

Below are the local recipients of 2024 Biodiversity Field Trip Grants.

Franklin County

• Christopher High School, Christopher, 10th through 12th grades, Cache River State Natural Area, Belknap –$490

Jackson County

• DeSoto School, DeSoto, sixth through eighth grades, Cache River State Natural Area, Ullin – $2,500

Pope County

• Pope County Community School 1, Golconda, ninth through 12th grades, Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center, Makanda – $810

Saline County

• Carrier Mills-Stonefort High School, Carrier Mills, ninth through 12th grades, Cache River Wetlands and Heron Pond, Cypress and Belknap – $930

• East Side Intermediate School, Harrisburg, fourth grade, Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center, Makanda – $3,000

Union County

• Anna Jonesboro Community High School, Anna, 10th grade, Cache River State Natural Area, Belknap – $500
• Anna Jonesboro High School, Anna, 12th grade, Cache River Wetland Center, Cypress – $328.18
• Cobden High School, Cobden, 10th through 12th grades, Cache River Wetlands, lower access, Ullin – $1,600
• Jonesboro Grade School, Jonesboro, kindergarten through 8th grade, Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, Marion – $687.27

Williamson County

• Carterville Intermediate School, Carterville, fifth grade, Cache River State Natural Area – $4,500
• Carterville Junior High School, Carterville, eighth grade, Little Grassy Lake and Giant City State Park, Makanda – $2,500
• Carterville Junior High School, Carterville, eighth grade, Little Grassy Lake and Giant City State Park, Makanda – $2,500
• Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Herrin, second and third grades, Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center, Makanda – $1,473.24