The
Forest Preserve District of Will County is proud to be a part of Will
County's educational system, and we value our relationship with Will
County's educators. Please check this page often for our latest
environmental education news, updates on field trip and educational grants, information about the in-service
workshops we offer, and details about our Resource Loan
Kits. Environmental Education
NewsEnvironmental Education Association of Illinois Annual ConferenceThe 2012 Environmental Education Association of Illinois (EEAI) Annual Conference will be held at the District's Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon on April 26-28, 2012. This conference brings together formal and non-formal educators dedicated to environmental education throughout Illinois. The EEAI will also be celebrating its 40th anniversary. Visit the EEAI Web site to learn more about the organization and joining us at the conference.
Green Teacher Webinar SeriesGreen Teacher Magazine is hosting a series of thirty conservation education themed Webinars. All that is needed to participate is a sound Internet connection and a headset, headphones, or computer speakers. The Webinars are free of charge and last about one hour each. Advance registration is required. For more information, to sign up for Webinar notifications, or to access past Webinars, visit the Green Teacher Magazine Web site.
Field Trip and Environmental Education
Grants
Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip
Grants
 Illinois
teachers
and home school instructors may apply to the Illinois
Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to receive funding for
transportation, substitute teachers, guest speakers, and other related
costs. Grants are for less than $500 per teacher. The application
deadline is January 31, 2012 for spring and fall 2012 field trips. For more information and to apply on-line, visit the IDNR Web
site.
The NEA Foundation - Nickelodeon Big Help Grants
The Big Help Grants program is dedicated to projects that address four key concerns: environmental awareness, health and wellness, students' right to a quality public education, and active community involvement. Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded to K-8 public school educators. Application deadlines are February 1, June 1, and October 15 of each year. For more information and to apply on-line, visit The NEA Foundation Web site.
Target Field Trip
Grants
As part of the Target Field
Trip Grants program, each Target store will award three grants to K-12 schools in its community. Will County schools successful in receiving past grants include Wood View Elementary (Bolingbrook), Wilton Center (Manhattan), and Chaney-Monge (Crest Hill). Each grant is valued up to $700. For more information and to apply on-line, visit the Target
Web site.
Photograph Courtesy of Jessica
Prince
In-Service
Workshops
Forest Preserve
District staff will conduct a variety of in-service trainings on
institute days, school days, or after-school hours for formal
educators. Workshops are offered free of charge to schools serving Will County residents. One
month advance notice is required. CPDU Hours are available. For
information, call 815.722.5890.
Flying
WILD
Interactive, interdisciplinary,
standards-based activities have been field tested in classrooms around
the nation. Topics center on basic bird biology, identification and
ecology, bird conservation, and service learning. These activities are
designed to engage students in real-world learning to understand the
importance of migratory birds and their conservation. All participants
completing the workshop will receive an Educator Training Certificate
of Completion, and the Flying WILD manual. (3-6 CPDU
Hours)
Habitats for
Schools
Create
an outdoor learning space at your school. Explore types of schoolyard
habitats, cross-curriculum and multiple intelligence applications, and
funding sources. Each participant will receive a binder of resources.
District staff will visit your school to plan your site. We will also
discuss how to form a team to implement your ideas and get your
principal on board. Follow-up visits will help see the project through
completion. (2-4 CPDU Hours)
 EE
Delivered
Remove
the barriers to incorporating environmental education (EE) into your
curriculum. Teachers will receive an overview of what the District has
to offer to support your classroom through programs, facilities,
workshops, and materials. Teachers will learn about the EE community
and the organizations and opportunities that await educators. District
staff will also present the basics of how to teach in the outdoors and
to bring the outdoors in. (2 CPDU Hours)
Resource Loan
Kits
We
have resource loan kits available to teachers across the county, and
this workshop is designed to spend time with each kit and its contents,
allowing you to explore the materials and participate in activities.
The workshop will be held both indoors and outdoors, so please dress
for the weather. (2 CPDU Hours)
Project Learning Tree
Project Learning Tree (PLT) is an award-winning, multi-disciplinary environmental education program for PreK-12 teachers. PLT is a program of the American Forest Foundation. It is one of the most widely used environmental education programs in the United States and abroad, and continues to set the standard for environmental education excellence. During the workshop, teachers will participate in several hands-on, forest-themed activities ready to take to the classroom. Every educator will receive a copy of the Project Learning Tree Activity Guide that details 96 interdisciplinary activities.
Resource Loan
Kits
Topic-themed kits are
available to teachers provided by the Forest Preserve District and the
Illinois Department of Natural Resources. These Resource Loan Kits are
a collection of educational materials that include games, videos,
equipment, and field guides that help students explore a specific
subject. Each kit has enough supplies for 30 students and is available
for a two-week loan period. There are no rental fees at this time, but
lost, broken, or missing items will be paid for by rentee.
Click any of the Resource Loan Kit titles below to open a checklist of kit contents. To reserve
kits and arrange pick up and drop off, contact the Sugar Creek Administration
Center at 815.727.8700.
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