SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is once again making funds available for educators to give their students a hands-on outdoor learning experience. Schoolyard Habitat Action Grants are now available through the Illinois Conservation Foundation. Teachers and other educators can apply to receive up to $600 to aid in the implementation of a wildlife habitat project on their school site or other public property.

"We believe students will learn more about our state's natural resources by playing an active role in what they are studying," said Illinois Department of Natural Resources acting director Sam Flood. "These grants allow teachers to bring the outdoors and natural education to children who may not have the opportunity to study nature in the field."

Since the inception of the program, more than $83,000 in grants has been distributed to nearly 200 educators. At least one Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant project has been implemented in 71 of the state's 102 counties.

Projects must emphasize student involvement in planning, development and maintenance and must increase the educational and habitat values of the site. Habitat projects may include, but are not limited to, activities that enhance or establish a schoolyard prairie plot, butterfly garden, wetland, rain garden, nesting platform or watering station.

Applicants must be prepared to maintain and commit resources to the project for at least three years. Plans that include vegetation planting should focus on increasing native biodiversity by planting native species. Funding requests should focus on items necessary for enhancement and development of wildlife habitat, such as plants, seeds, mulch and lumber/hardware.

Applications can be downloaded from the IDNR Web site at www.dnr.state. il.us/education and then click on grants. Application deadline for grants is Sunday.

Winning applicants will receive funds by Feb. 1, 2009, and will have until Nov. 30, 2009, to complete the project and submit the final report. For more information about the Schoolyard Habitat Action Grants, contact the IDNR Division of Education at dnr.teachkids@illinois.gov or (217) 524-4126.

Duck stamp contest open to students

SPRINGFIELD - The Federal Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest is an annual educational program and art contest, sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The contest is open to students in kindergarten through 12th grades enrolled in public, private, home schools or private art studios.

The 2009 Federal Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest rules, information and entry forms are now available. Go to www.fws.gov/juniorduck/ArtContest.htm to download a copy. Please note that a hard copy will not be automatically mailed to schools this year. Applications are due to the IDNR Division of Education by March 15, 2009.

Entries are judged in four categories (divided by grade level), with the "Best of Show" selected as the top entry from all categories. All entrants receive a certificate, while prizes are awarded to the first, second and third place winners.

The wining artwork from the National Federal Junior Duck Stamp Design competition is reproduced on the annual Junior Duck Stamp. Junior Duck Stamps are sold for $5 each by the U.S. Postal Service and at many National Wildlife Refuges around the country. Proceeds from the sale of these stamps are used to support the contest and youth education and conservation programs.

For more information about the National Federal Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest, contact the IDNR Division of Education at dnr.teachkids@illinois.gov or (217) 524-4126.

Holiday open house to occur next month

The Cache River Wetlands Joint Venture partnership and Friends of the Cache River Watershed will have a holiday open house at the Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge Office on the campus of Shawnee Community College on Dec. 12.

Visitors are welcome to stop by the office from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information, call 634-2231.