Let Resources from the IDNR Support Your Lessons
School will be starting soon! Let the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
Division of Education provide you with Illinois-specific information on a variety of topics. Publications, basic information, lessons, resources trunks, podcasts and many other items are available.
Visit the
Wild about Illinois. . . Web Page Soon
This Web page is updated regularly with new information. Check out the milkweeds and orchids pages in the "Plants" section. Click on the common name/scientific name to see the species page.
Visit and explore!
Resources Trunks and Packs are Great Teaching Tools
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources' resources trunks and packs are available for loan from locations throughout the state. Trunk topics include wild mammals, trees, prairies, aquatics, invasive species, birds, fossils, pollinators, amphibians and reptiles, state symbols, people and animals from Illinois' past and nature exploration for early childhood students. Teachers, homeschooling educators, scout and youth group leaders, nature center personnel, librarians, day care center staff, camp coordinators and families are among the people who can successfully use these resources. A two-week loan period is suggested. There is no charge to borrow the trunks/packs, although a refundable deposit may be requested.
Click here to find the contact information to make a reservation and view the trunk/pack contents lists.
Upcoming ENTICE Professional Development Workshops
Register soon for ENTICE (Environment and Nature Training Institute for Conservation Education) professional development workshops for educators sponsored by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. ENTICE workshops provide background information, networking opportunities, hands-on lessons, supplemental resources on the topic and the opportunity to work with resources professionals. Professional Development Hours are available. Correlations to relevant Next Generation Science Standards and/or Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards are provided. Shown below is a list of upcoming workshops through March 2023. Visit
https://www.enticeworkshops.com for details, the complete list of workshops and to register. Experience ENTICE!
Illinois Wild Mammals
Camp Wartburg, Waterloo
March 4, 2023, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
This workshop for educators of grades prekindergarten through 12 will provide an introduction to and educational resources about the wild mammals in our state. We will focus on the life history of these species, and we will go on a hike to look for mammals and their signs. We will show you how to use the topic of “Illinois wild mammals” to support the teaching of several of the Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards for science and Next Generation Science Standards with your students. Professional Development Hours are available.
Wildlife Basics: Illinois Wild Mammals
Giant City State Park, Makanda
March 25, 2023, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
This workshop for educators of grades prekindergarten through 12 will provide an introduction to and educational resources about the wild mammals in our state. We will focus on the life history of these species, and we will go on a hike to look for mammals and their signs. We will show you how to use the topic of “Illinois wild mammals” to support the teaching of several of the Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards for science and Next Generation Science Standards with your students. Professional Development Hours are available. Sponsored by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, this workshop is part of the ENTICE (Environment and Nature Training Institute for Conservation Education) program.
Introducing Young Children to the Nature of Spring
Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
April 1, 2023, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Spring is a wonderful season for young children to explore nature! There is so much to see and learn. Join us to discover what nature can tell us in spring. We will take a hike to put our knowledge to work and will feature the Field Trip Pack from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). We will show you how to support the teaching of several of the Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards for science and Next Generation Science Standards with your students. Although targeted to grades prekindergarten through two, all educators are welcome to register for the workshop, but the information may need to be adapted, as appropriate. You’ll take away numerous resources to use with young children when learning about nature. Professional Development Hours are available. This workshop is part of the ENTICE (Environment and Nature Training Institute for Conservation Education) program from the IDNR.
Illinois Frogs and Toads
The Morton Arboretum, Lisle
April 15, 2023, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Hop on over to The Morton Arboretum and join us for this workshop about Illinois’ frogs and toads. Designed for educators of grades prekindergarten through four, you’ll learn about these amazing creatures and receive many Illinois-specific resources. Anuran life history, identification, relationships to other organisms and adaptations will be among the topics covered. Teachers of other grades are welcome to register for the workshop but will need to adapt the information, as appropriate. Professional Development Hours are available. Sponsored by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, this workshop is part of the ENTICE (Environment and Nature Training Institute for Conservation Education) program.
Wildlife Basics: Illinois Wild Mammals
Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, St. Charles
April 29, 2023, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
This workshop for educators of grades prekindergarten through 12 will provide an introduction to and educational resources about the wild mammals in our state. We will focus on the life history of these species, and we will go on a hike to look for mammals and their signs. We will show you how to use the topic of “Illinois wild mammals” to support the teaching of several of the Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards for science and Next Generation Science Standards with your students. Professional Development Hours are available. Sponsored by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, this workshop is part of the ENTICE (Environment and Nature Training Institute for Conservation Education) program.
Illinois Wetlands
The Grove, Glenview
May 6, 2023, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Join other educators of grades prekindergarten through four as we learn what wetlands are and explore the fascinating organisms that live in them. We will discuss the life history, adaptations and identification of wetland species and will put the skills to practice as we visit and sample several wetlands on the grounds of The Grove, comparing the types of organisms found in the different habitats. Hands-on activities will be conducted, and you’ll receive supplemental educational resources. Educators of other grade levels are welcome to register and attend the workshop but may need to adapt the materials as appropriate. Professional Development Hours are available. This workshop is part of the ENTICE (Environment and Nature Training Institute for Conservation Education) program from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Illinois’ Urban Wildlife
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Chicago
May 13, 2023, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Wildlife is all around us, even in downtown Chicago! Educators of grades prekindergarten through four are invited to participate as we learn where to look for urban wildlife, what you can expect to find, how to identify species and how to improve urban wildlife habitat at your school. Natural resources professionals and educators will instruct about these topics and more, including how species adapt to the urban environment, how humans affect urban wildlife and how to use urban wildlife topics as the foundation for locally relevant, place-based teaching. Receive supplemental educational materials to enhance your teaching. This workshop is part of the ENTICE (Environment and Nature Training Institute for Conservation Education) program from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Teachers of other grade levels are welcome to register and attend the workshop but may need to adapt the materials as appropriate. Professional Development Hours are available.
Introducing Early Childhood Students to the Nature of Summer
Hoover Forest Preserve, Kendall County Forest Preserve District, Yorkville
May 20, 2023, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Summer is a great season for young children to explore nature! There is so much to see and learn. Join us to discover what nature can tell us in summer. We’ll take a hike to put our knowledge to work and will feature the Field Trip Pack from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). We'll be incorporating several topics. Although targeted to grades prekindergarten through three, all educators are welcome to register for the workshop, but the information may need to be adapted, as appropriate. You’ll take away numerous resources to use with young children when learning about summer nature. Professional Development Hours are available. This workshop is part of the ENTICE (Environment and Nature Training Institute for Conservation Education) program from the IDNR.
Species Search Web Page
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources'
Biodiversity of Illinois Species Search Web page allows you to find information quickly and easily.
Give it a try!
Tours available at the IDNR's Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery
Ever wonder where the big bass, plentiful panfish or massive muskie in your local lake come from? Come to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources' Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery in Topeka, Illinois, and find out! Now is a great time to visit Illinois' largest fish hatchery to see where many of your favorite sportfish begin their life. Jake Wolf Fish Hatchery accepts requests for scheduled tours, by appointment only, Monday-Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Tour groups are limited to 15 people. All ages are welcome. For more information on public tours please call the hatchery at 309-968-7531 or email site coordinator Frank Sladek at
Frank.Sladek@illinois.gov. For more information on the hatchery, visit
https://ifishillinois.org/programs/hatchery.html or follow us on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/JakeWolfHatchery/.
Giant City State Park Provides Monthly Topics for Teachers
If you teach in the Carbondale area or other parts of southern Illinois, you can ask to be added to the monthly teachers' topic email from the Natural Resources Coordinator at Giant City State Park. Each month you will receive an email with links to teaching resources and learning standards for the topic as well as ideas on how you could teach about the topic by bringing your students to Giant City State Park. For more information or to sign up, send an email to Jennifer Randolph at
jennifer.randolph@illinois.gov.
Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks Summer Educational Programming
Thank you for choosing Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks as a field trip destination for your students, scouts and classmates! What better location to engage students in their natural surroundings than the trails, canyons and sandstone overlooks of these two state parks. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) offers FREE guided hikes/programs by request through the Natural Resources Coordinator. Can't make it to the park for an on-site field trip? The IDNR has educational trunks and packs available for loan to educators on topics such as mammals, birds, trees, insects, people of Illinois' past and more.
Further information can be found here. Not comfortable using the educational trunks and curriculum? No problem, the Natural Resources Coordinator can come to you!
Schedule a Classroom Visit or a Virtual Visit with a Naturalist here. Call or email to set up your field trip today! Lisa Sons, Natural Resources Coordinator,
lisa.sons@illinois.gov, 815-667-5356.
