April 29, 2026 – Thousands of Illinois students—including several in Macon County—will soon take learning beyond the classroom thanks to a new round of biodiversity field trip grants.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with the Illinois Conservation Foundation, has awarded more than $101,000 through its Biodiversity Field Trip Grant Program. In total, 108 grants were distributed across 34 counties, giving nearly 7,000 students the opportunity to visit state parks, natural areas, museums, and other outdoor education sites.
In Macon County, several schools were selected to receive funding for hands-on environmental learning experiences:
- Ellsworth Dansby Jr. Magnet School (Decatur) — $634 for 3rd grade students to visit 4-H Memorial Camp in Monticello
- Franklin Grove Elementary School (Decatur) — $1,334 for 4th grade students to visit 4-H Memorial Camp in Monticello
- Maroa-Forsyth Middle School (Maroa) — $1,000 for 8th grade students to visit Starved Rock State Park
- Meridian Elementary School (Blue Mound) — $280 for 3rd grade students to visit Griswold Conservation Area
- South Shores Elementary School (Decatur) — $1,000 for 3rd grade students to visit the Illinois Raptor Center
- South Shores Elementary School (Decatur) — $990 for 3rd grade students to visit Rock Springs Nature Center
The competitive grant program allows teachers to apply for funding to support curriculum-based field trips, covering costs such as transportation and substitute teachers.
State officials say the program is designed to give students real-world exposure to Illinois’ natural resources while building interest in conservation and environmental stewardship. Since its launch in 2001, the program has awarded more than $1.7 million and helped over 146,000 students participate in outdoor learning experiences.
