The Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced the awarding of more than $96,000 in Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grants.  The 103 grants to schools in 41 counties, made possible through private donations, will assist more than 7,700 students to visit Illinois state parks, museums and other natural resources sites to learn about nature and conservation.  This includes Nashville Middle School’s 4^th Grade class, as they received $150 for a visit to Kuhl Lumber in New Minden.  The grants allow students to visit real places to compare to what they have been learning in the classroom.  The competitive grant program allows Illinois teachers to apply for funds to take students out of the classroom to learn about Illinois’ biodiversity. Learning activities must directly relate to the school’s curriculum and to the Illinois Learning Standards and Common Core/Next Generation Science Standards from the Illinois State Board of Education.  The annual application deadline is January 31.  Funding is administered by the Illinois Conservation Foundation and covers expenses such as the costs of transportation and substitute teachers.