Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant
Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant supports educators and youth leaders in student-led habitat projects that improve wildlife habitat and educational opportunities at Illinois public sites.
Funder: Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Due Dates: December 2, 2026 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $2,000 per project annually, paid by reimbursement
Summary: Supports student-led projects that improve wildlife habitat and educational opportunities on Illinois school grounds and other public sites.
Key Information: Applicants must commit resources to maintaining the project for at least five years.
Description
The Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Education. It supports teachers, nature center personnel and adult youth group leaders working with prekindergarten through grade 12 students in Illinois. Projects must involve young people in planning, development and maintenance while increasing a site's educational and wildlife habitat value.
Supported projects include pollinator gardens, prairie plots, butterfly gardens, rain gardens, wetlands, native tree arboretums and wildlife structures such as nesting platforms and bat roosting boxes. Three application options accommodate standard pollinator gardens, other habitat projects and qualifying school container gardens. Donations from the Jadel Youth Fund, the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Foundation and others help support the program.
