New This Month

              New This Month
November 2010
Comment Now on Environmental Literacy for Illinois Plan Draft Two
Draft Two of the Environmental Literacy for Illinois strategic plan is available for comment through November 15, 2010. Visit http://dnr.state.il.us/el4il/index.htm to review the document and submit comments. Your comments and support are essential to the success of this plan. Please take a few moments to review it.
Important Information for Teachers Regarding the Arbor Day Poster Contest
The National Arbor Day Foundation has discontinued the Arbor Day Poster Contest. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) will no longer offer this contest.
November 30 Application Deadline is Quickly Approaching for Grant Programs
Start working on your Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant and Illinois Rain Garden Initiative grant applications now! Both applications must be postmarked by November 30, 2010. The Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant provides teachers and youth group leaders with funds to help in the development or enhancement of wildlife habitat on the school grounds or other public place. The application maximum is $600. All funds for this program are donated to the Illinois Conservation Foundation. Major support is provided by the Jadel Youth Fund. The Illinois Rain Garden Initiative provides up to $1,000 to successful applicants to establish a rain garden. Teachers and community group leaders are eligible to apply. Funding is possible through a grant to the Illinois Conservation Foundation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. To access the application forms, visit http://dnr.state.il.us/education/CLASSRM/grants.htm. For more information, contact the IDNR Education Section at dnr.teachkids@illinois.gov or 217-524-4126.
Illinois Conservation Foundation Offers Conservation Achievement Scholarships for High School Seniors
The Illinois Conservation Foundation will honor high school seniors who have demonstrated outstanding efforts to preserve, protect, enhance and/or promote Illinois’ natural resources with the awarding of three Conservation Achievement Scholarships. One $5,000 scholarship, one $3,000 scholarship and one $2,000 scholarship are available. The applicant must be an Illinois resident and a senior in an Illinois high school during the 2010-2011 school year. Voluntary, effective contributions to Illinois’ natural resources throughout the applicant’s high school enrollment must be documented. Other criteria also apply. See the application form at https://www.ilcf.org/documents/YouthSchlrshp2011final.pdf for complete details. Applications must be postmarked by November 30, 2010. Questions may be addressed to Kathy Wheeler at kathy.wheeler@illinois.gov or 217-785-2003.
Change in Federal Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest in Illinois
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is now the exclusive sponsor of the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest in Illinois. For more information about the program, contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Barrington office (847-381-2253). To access the application form, visit http://www.fws.gov/juniorduck/ArtContest.htm.
Wildlife Prairie State Park Events
The Wildlife Prairie State Park in Hanna City (near Peoria) is hosting several events in November. See details below.