Betsy Ross Elementary School has been awarded $1,992 from the Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant program for the development of a pollinator garden. And this spring students at the kindergarten through second grade school will each have a hand in planting the school’s new garden.
Two teachers, Aimee Edwards and Constance Hill, were instrumental in securing the grant for Betsy Ross, 1315 Marengo Ave.,
Edwards and Hill thought a pollinator garden would give students a more hands-on experience with the school’s science curriculum, so they decided to apply.
A pollinator garden, as defined by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, is a landscaped area specifically designed with native plants to provide nectar, pollen, and habitats for pollinators such as bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
According to Edwards, the garden will be planted in May, in an area of the school’s playground that is visible to the public.
“Every child in the school will get to plant something, which is fun and exciting,” Edwards said.
Sponsored by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Conservation Foundation, the grant supports the development or enhancement of wildlife habitats on school grounds and other public spaces. Up to $2,000 per project is awarded to schools, nature centers, and youth groups that are selected as recipients. Schools and community organizations apply for these grants in order to buy tools and materials — such as native plants, mulch, topsoil, gloves, rakes, hoes and shovels — that are needed to build their wildlife habitats.
Earlier this month, nearly $40,000 in grants for 24 projects throughout Illinois were awarded by the program for the 2026 application period. Although the grants are awarded annually, this is the first time that Betsy Ross has applied.
Hill said she hopes the students feel a sense of pride and ownership when they look at the pollinator garden. Since the plants will not be in full bloom until summer, she hopes students and their families will come visit the garden during June, July and August.
“This will be right in their play space,” Hill said. “It’s something that they can take care of and it’s also an opportunity for them to see the lifecycle of plants.”
The list of plants that will be grown in the pollinator garden at Betsy Ross includes swamp milkweed, wild bergamot, black eyed susans, purple coneflowers, New Jersey tea, showy goldenrods, wild senna, and royal catchfly.
“My teachers are amazing,” said Tinisa Huff, Betsy Ross principal. “I’ll always support anything they do that’s going to influence the students and give them new skills, and I think the garden will be beautiful for our school community.”
Applications for the next grant cycle will be accepted later this spring through Nov. 30. Application materials and additional information are available on the IDNR education grants website. For additional information, call 217- 524-4126 or email dnr.teachkids@illinois.gov.
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