CHICAGO – Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) congratulated Josiah L. Pickard Elementary School’s second-grade class for being selected for a grant to help students go on field trips centered on biodiversity.

“This grant program gives students the opportunity to see first-hand what they are learning about in the classroom,” Munoz said. “I’m excited for the students to have the chance to visit the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center in Willow Springs.”

This year, the Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grants awarded $34,000 to 37 field trip grants across the state. This program allows Illinois teachers to apply for funds to take students on a field trip to study Illinois’ natural resources. More than 2,000 students will visit state parks, museums, and other natural resource locations to gain hands-on experience with nature and conservation in Illinois.

The program began in 2001 and has awarded over $1.3 million to nearly 120,000 students. More information about the grant program is available from the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources Division of Education at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 217-524-4126. A full list of this year’s grant recipients can be found on IDNR’s website.