Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant
Eligibility
Illinois public and private K-12 schools may apply. Projects must focus on creating or restoring native habitat on school campuses, including native plant gardens, rain gardens, pollinator meadows, or other ecological restoration projects. Schools must have administrative approval and a commitment to maintaining the habitat after the grant period.
Program Goals
The Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant, administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in partnership with the Illinois Conservation Foundation, funds school campus ecological restoration projects. Schools use grants to create native plant gardens, rain gardens, pollinator habitats, and outdoor classrooms that connect students to Illinois ecosystems and biodiversity. The program builds environmental literacy and supports teacher-led habitat science curriculum.
Read the GrantApplication and Distribution
Applications are submitted online through the Illinois Conservation Foundation website by December 2, 2026. Projects must be completed the following year. Submit a project description, habitat plan, campus map, and budget. Schools must provide a commitment letter from the principal or district administrator.
Cycle Notes
Schoolyard Habitat Action Grants run on an annual fall deadline cycle. The 2026 deadline is December 2. Projects are funded for the following calendar year. Visit ilconservation.org for the current application and guidelines.
Grant Award Amount
Grants award up to $3,000 per project for native plants, materials, equipment, and supplies directly tied to the approved habitat restoration project.
Allowable Purchases
Forward Education Products for This Grant
These kits align to the learning outcomes this program funds.
- CHARGE Climate Sensor Kit — outdoor environmental monitoring for Illinois schoolyard habitat programs
- micro:bit Starter Kit — data collection for student habitat science investigations
- Smart Hydroponics Kit — plant science and native plant biology aligned to habitat education
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant?
Illinois K-12 public and private schools may apply. Projects must create or restore native habitat on school campuses with administrative support.
How much funding is available through the Schoolyard Habitat Grant?
Awards are up to $3,000 per project for native plants, materials, and habitat restoration supplies.
Can Schoolyard Habitat Grant funds be used for STEM and coding tools?
Yes. Schoolyard Habitat Grant funds can support hands-on STEM materials, physical computing kits, and coding curriculum when they align to the program's stated goals. Document alignment to program objectives before purchasing.
How do Illinois schools apply for the Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant?
Apply online at ilconservation.org by December 2, 2026. Submit a project description, habitat plan, campus map, and budget with a principal commitment letter.
How can Forward Education help with Schoolyard Habitat Grant funding?
Forward Education provides curriculum alignment documents, official pricing letters for grant budgets, and letters of support for Illinois schools. Our STEM kits are purpose-built to meet the learning outcomes this grant funds. Contact us before submitting your application.
Need Help Writing Your Grant Application?
Forward Education works with schools and districts to build strong funding proposals. We can help you connect our tools to your grant requirements.
- Curriculum alignment documents — Illinois standards mapped to our kits
- Program quotes and pricing — classroom sets, bundles, and multi-site pricing
- Letters of support — documentation for grant applications
- Project ideas and scope-and-sequence — ready-to-use program outlines
Explore more Illinois funding resources
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