Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant Program

Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant Program

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Amount: Up to US $2,000
Last Updated: March 03, 2026

Summary

The Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant Program aims to foster student involvement in creating and maintaining wildlife habitats. Projects can include establishing pollinator gardens or enhancing schoolyard habitats with native plants. Eligible applicants include educators and youth leaders in Illinois, with funding up to $2,000 available on a reimbursement basis. The program promotes ecological education and sustainability, requiring a commitment to maintain the project for at least five years, enhancing both educational and environmental values.

Overview

Purpose Projects must emphasize student/youth involvement with planning, development and maintenance and increase the educational and wildlife habitat values of the site. The applicant must be prepared to maintain and commit resources to the project for at least five years. The project must be implemented on school grounds or another public place (for example, a park or nature center/forest preserve district land). Option One: Standard Pollinator Garden Option One of this grant may only be used to establish a pollinator garden. It must be developed following the criteria stated in the instructions for this application form. This option is helpful if you are new to native gardening. Click here for additional Option One information. Option Two Option Two is for all other projects. Habitat projects may include, but not be limited to, the following activities: enhance or establish and maintain a schoolyard prairie plot, butterfly garden, rain garden, wetland, native tree arboretum, nesting platform or watering station; design and build a bird feeder or feeding station; or construct and install bat roosting boxes. Funding and Payment New this year, the maximum annual award is $2,000.00 per project. Funds are provided on a reimbursement basis. Only purchases approved by the grant committee from the original application will be reimbursed.  Only the school or organization will be reimbursed. Original paid receipts for purchases must be submitted. Successful applicants are eligible to apply for additional funding in subsequent years.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Schoolyard Wildlife Habitat Action Grant applicants must use native Illinois plants in their wildlife habitat area.Teachers, nature center personnel and youth group leaders (grades prekindergarten through 12) in Illinois may apply.The funds may only be used to develop or enhance wildlife habitat and not to plant a vegetable garden.Native plants must be used.They are the best providers of native wildlife habitat and are adapted to the climate so they require the least care.Eligible Costs:Option OneFunding requests for Option One grants may only include the following items: plants (not seeds) of the 14 native plant species shown in this application form; and mulch, topsoil or related soil product. No other items will be considered for purchase through this option.Option TwoFunding requests should focus on items necessary for enhancement or development of wildlife habitat, such as native plants, seeds, mulch and lumber/hardware for constructing nesting/roosting boxes and platforms.New this year, this grant will pay for the purchase of simple gardening tools such as child- and adult-sized gloves, spades, shovels, rakes, trowels and hoes. Tool costs shall not account for more than 25% of the total project cost.

Ineligibility

Illinois Conservation Foundation sites and Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) sites do not qualify for funding. Admission fees cannot be charged to obtain access to the site. Individual student projects will not be funded.Vegetable gardens are not eligible for Option 2.Purchases occurring before the notification of the grant award winners for this application period do not qualify for funding.Reimbursements are not made to individuals.Ineligible CostsIneligible costs include, but are not limited to: consultant fees, bird seed, bird baths, fuel, equipment, equipment rental, signs, labor, books, Web site development, land acquisition, chemicals (fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides, insecticides), certification fees, decorative items.