The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has online resources to use in the classroom.
Field Trip Grants
Apply for a grant to pay for outdoor field trips: IDNR Field Trip Grant Information
Wildlife in the Classroom
The IDNR has updated their regulations for wild animals and other found items when used in a classroom. Read them here to make sure you’re in compliance.
Lesson Plans and Student Activities
Lesson plans, background information, student activities, videos and other resources are part of the teaching units produces by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). Aquatics, birds, wild mammals, trees and biodiversity are the topics currently available. More units are being developed. Click here to access this information.
Publications
Various activity books and worksheets are available to order or download. (FREE orders for K-12 Illinois school districts) Click here to order.
Podcasts
Podcasts produced by the IDNR Division of Education are available YouTube. There are lesson demonstrations as well as general information podcasts. The lesson demonstrations can help you preview and set up an activity. Podcasts can be used on your SMARTBoard™. Visit here for more information.
SMARTBoard™ Lessons
The IDNR Division of Education has prepared SMARTBoard™ lessons for you. A variety of topics are available. You can find the information by following this link.
