New this Month - June 2026

2026 - 2027 Illinois Department of Natural Resources Historic Sites Field Trip Grant 
Application deadline September 30, 2026.

2027 Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant application
There is a new option for schools only in Chicago and East St. Louis metro areas that have no soil on their school grounds. Option 3 has strict guidelines and has native plants in pots. Option 3 will open later this month. Application deadline December 2, 2026.

2027 Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant application 
Application deadline February 1, 2027.

When people think of conservation, they typically imagine wild spaces away from urban centers, but cities can also present exciting opportunities for the conservation of rare species. The largest nesting colony of endangered black-crowned night-herons in Illinois can be found at Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo, where scientists have been studying and protecting these birds for more than ten years. In this workshop, teachers will learn about the ecology of black-crowned night-herons and how the concept of OneHealth connects with conservation efforts for this species. They will come away with strategies for teaching about adaptations and ecosystems and ways to help their students develop skills in making observations and collecting data. Although targeted to teachers of third through fifth, all educators are welcome to register for the workshop, but the information may need to be adapted, as appropriate.

ENTICE workshops provide background information, networking opportunities, hands-on lessons, supplemental resources on the topic and the opportunity to work with resources professionals. Professional Development Hours are available. Correlations to relevant Next Generation Science Standards and/or Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards are provided. Shown below is a list of upcoming workshops through June 2026. Visit https://www.enticeworkshops.com for details, the complete list of workshops and to register. Experience ENTICE!

When people think of conservation, they typically imagine wild spaces away from urban centers, but cities can also present exciting opportunities for the conservation of rare species. The largest nesting colony of endangered black-crowned night-herons in Illinois can be found at Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo, where scientists have been studying and protecting these birds for more than ten years. In this workshop, teachers will learn about the ecology of black-crowned night-herons and how the concept of OneHealth connects with conservation efforts for this species. They will come away with strategies for teaching about adaptations and ecosystems and ways to help their students develop skills in making observations and collecting data. Although targeted to teachers of third through fifth, all educators are welcome to register for the workshop, but the information may need to be adapted, as appropriate.

Nature is all around us, even in the most urban of settings. Sometimes a weed growing in the cracks of a sidewalk, or birds nesting in the eaves of a building are better teachers than we realize. Kindergarten through 12th grade educators will learn how to utilize the nature and natural phenomena right outside our classrooms to look for patterns, investigate plant and animal needs and preferences, and explore the amazing adaptations of the organisms in our schoolyards and neighborhoods.

Discover how a nature-based engineering solution is transforming Lake Michigan's shoreline and how you can bring this real-world science into your teaching setting. This hands-on workshop for 5th to12th-grade educators will explore the intersection of coastal engineering and aquatic ecosystems through field experiences, research insights, and classroom-ready activities.

They buzz, flutter, crawl, and play a critical role in maintaining ecosystems and the human food supply. Learn about the importance of pollination, the identification of Illinois pollinators, and the challenges they face in the modern world. 

Discover the special place oak trees have in the history of Illinois and local ecosystems. Used by surveyors in the early 1800s, witness, or bearing trees, were sought out as landmarks for creating the earliest state land surveys and plat maps. Some of these trees are still standing today and can be used as a lens to bridge the gap between science and social studies. Through a variety of activities, learn the role these trees played in the urbanization of Illinois, why they are still important today, and how oak trees are critical to local ecosystems. Then complete a STEM-based learning project to catalog potential witness trees and conduct a tree survey. Take ideas back to the classroom to get your students engaged in similar data collection projects at school. Major portions of this program will be outdoors, and participants should dress for the weather.

Explore early French Fur Trapping History at Illinois at Isle a la Cache. This interdisciplinary teaching unit for educators of grades four through eight focuses on early exploration and settlement, riparian and geography of early Illinois and compares trapping from the past to the present. Both Illinois science and social studies standards are covered. The activities and lessons are designed to supplement Illinois history and science instruction and includes the uses of wildlife by Indigenous peoples and the trappers who came from Europe. Also highlighted is the conservation movement and how it affects views and uses of wildlife today. Educators of other grade levels are welcome to register and attend the workshop but may need to adapt the materials as appropriate.

Flap your wings to the Morton Arboretum and explore animal structures and adaptations using a variety of activities with the theme of birds. Participants will explore several examples of different birds' feathers, participate in an interactive lab that examines beak adaptations, a hands-on exploration of bird's feet, and so much more! Participants will walk away with indoor and outdoor activities relatable to bird adaptations. Although targeted to teachers of grades fifth through eighth grade, all educators are welcome to register for the workshop, but the information may need to be adapted, as appropriate.

They buzz, flutter, and crawl and play a critical role in maintaining ecosystems. Educators of grades kindergarten through eight are invited to register for this workshop to learn about the importance of pollinators, the identification of Illinois pollinators, and the challenges they face today. Educators will take a walk through the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum's demonstration prairie to think about the ways that native ecosystems support these valuable pollinators. Correlations between the information presented and Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards and Next Generation Science Standards will be addressed. Teachers of other grade levels are welcome to register for this workshop but may need to adapt the materials for their students, as appropriate.

What are fungi and how do they live? Explore the complex lives of fungi of Illinois. Found all over Illinois, they are diverse and fascinating. Explore the different types of fungi in Illinois, the life cycle, importance in the environment, and a few of the animals that live among them. If weather permits, we will take a fungus walk to see what we can find!

Check out these field trip sites and ways to connect with IDNR. See what they offer for teachers during this school year! 

For a day filled with fun and educational activities for the entire family, check out the Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair on Saturday, June 6 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Pere Marquette State Park near Grafton on Illinois Route 100. The annual Fishing Fair will include a wide variety of outdoors activities.  

For information visit the Everyone Belongs in Nature Fesitval website.

Chicago: Jonathan Schlesinger at DNR.urbanfishing.Chicago@Illinois.gov. Chicago teachers who are interested in Urban Fishing Program can fill out this interest form https://forms.gle/ynb8PqtmBdy5S8fu6  

Northern Illinois: north of I-80, includes cities surrounding Chicago, Rockford, Moline, and Rock Island, Frank Sladek at Frank.Sladek@Illinois.gov.

Central Illinois: south of I-80 and north of I-70 (not including Alton/Grafton), includes cities of Quincy, Macomb, Peoria, Springfield, Champaign, Decatur, Danville, and Bloomington, Van Grissom at Van.Grissom@Illinois.gov.

Southern Illinois: South of I-70, including Alton, Edwardsville, Mt. Vernon, Carbondale, East Cape Girardeau, and Cairo please contact Scott Isringhausen at Scott.Isringhausen@Illinois.gov

In addition to scheduled tours, our walk-in visitor’s center is open every day from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, with several informational displays and windows overlooking the production areas of the hatchery. All ages are welcome, and tours are completely free! For more information on public tours, please call the hatchery at 309-968-7531.

For more information on the hatchery, visit https://ifishillinois.org/programs/hatchery.html or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JakeWolfHatchery/.

Everything is free, vetted by educators and scientists, and aligned to state standards. Check it out at https://illinoisclimateeducation.org/ Check out the 3 free climate modules and other professional development at https://illinoisclimateeducation.org/professional-development.

You can view the current DoIT STEAM Newsletter and previous volumes online on the DoIT STEAM Newsletter webpage. Additional resources can be found on the DoIT STEAM website.   If you have any questions or comments, please email DoiT STREAM at DoIT.Steam@Illinois.gov. 

Check out their three FREE and virtual trainings at https://www.ianetwork.org/distance-learning-sessions-2/. They have resources and other information available at https://www.ianetwork.org/. For more information, please contact Gwyndolyn Moss at gmoss@ianetwork.org.