DNR Taking Conservation Teacher of the Year Grant Applications

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is offering a $1,000 grant to a third-, fourth- or fifth-grade public or private school teacher in the state who demonstrates exceptional energy and innovation in teaching life sciences.

Science specialists covering those grade levels can also apply.

The Conservation Teacher of the Year grant is coordinated by the Wildlife Conservation Section of DNR’s Wildlife Resources Division.

Funding is provided by the section’s friends group, The Environmental Resources Network, better known as TERN.

Through education, research and management, the Wildlife Conservation Section works to safeguard Georgia’s native diversity of wild animals, plants and their habitats, while also striving to increase public enjoyment of the outdoors.

The purpose of the grant is to recognize and help an outstanding teacher who uses Georgia’s native wildlife and habitats as the context for learning.

Last year’s was Bulloch County STEM Lab teacher Stephanie Hodges who used grant funds to buy supplies for a “pollinator paradise” at Portal Elementary.

Students learned about the importance of bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators in healthy ecosystems, as well as the role of pollinators in fruit and seed production.

Projects that are especially creative and teach about Georgia’s rare or endangered species, as well as solid projects that have no other means of funding, will earn bonus points.

Details on how to apply can be found at georgiawildlife.com/TeachingConservationGrant.

The deadline to apply is Aug. 20, 2020. DNR will notify the grant winner by Sept. 10, 2020.