Education Programs
KDSWCD educates adults and the next generation of land and water stewards through outreach programs, workshops, contests and scholarships for people of all ages and abilities.
School Programs
A variety of outreach programs for K-12 classrooms and scout groups are offered by SWCD staff. Programs are interdisciplinary and can be designed to meet the needs of classroom curriculum.
Program Fees: Programs are $40 for the first class and $20 for each additional class visited the same day. Scout programs are $40 for up to 12 children, and $2 for each additional child Low income schools - call for special rates.
To schedule a program: Typical program length is between 30-60 minutes. Please call at least three weeks in advance of desired program date to schedule a program.
Contact: Kat Gerdts, Administrative Coordinator at kat.gerdts@kanedupageswcd.org
or call 630.584.7960 Ext. 3
Program Fees: Programs are $40 for the first class and $20 for each additional class visited the same day. Scout programs are $40 for up to 12 children, and $2 for each additional child Low income schools - call for special rates.
To schedule a program: Typical program length is between 30-60 minutes. Please call at least three weeks in advance of desired program date to schedule a program.
Contact: Kat Gerdts, Administrative Coordinator at kat.gerdts@kanedupageswcd.org
or call 630.584.7960 Ext. 3
Scholarships
Soil and Water Stewardship Scholarship
This scholarship seeks to provide financial support to students enrolled fulltime at an accredited two or four-year community college, college, or university, which will lead to a career in a natural resource field. The deadline is February 15th each year. The amount for 2025 is $1400.
This scholarship seeks to provide financial support to students enrolled fulltime at an accredited two or four-year community college, college, or university, which will lead to a career in a natural resource field. The deadline is February 15th each year. The amount for 2025 is $1400.
Soil and Water Stewardship Scholarship
Congratulations to the 2024 recipient of the Soil and Water Stewardship Scholarship ~ Emily Lubek!
Emily is a Senior at Naperville Central High School and will be attending University of Colorado at Boulder, studying Environmental Science. She loves gardening, hiking and conducting her own scientific experiments. She also spends a significant amount of her time volunteering at area clean-ups and at the Humane Society.
"Thank you so much for selecting me for this scholarship! I am so happy and appreciative of this decision and your generosity. I plan to receive my Masters Degree in Environmental Science and help the efforts of conservation of the earth, with a career goal of being a consultant advisor on environmental issues regarding waste emissions, water quality and sustainability," Emily said.
The Soil and Water Stewardship Scholarship seeks to provide financial support to students enrolled full-time at an accredited two- or four-year community college, college, or university, which will lead to a career in a natural resource field.
Funding for this scholarship was made available from the Leopold Education Project, an educational program based on the works of noted conservationist and author Aldo Leopold. Leopold’s philosophy and land ethic created a foundation for modern conservation.
Emily is a Senior at Naperville Central High School and will be attending University of Colorado at Boulder, studying Environmental Science. She loves gardening, hiking and conducting her own scientific experiments. She also spends a significant amount of her time volunteering at area clean-ups and at the Humane Society.
"Thank you so much for selecting me for this scholarship! I am so happy and appreciative of this decision and your generosity. I plan to receive my Masters Degree in Environmental Science and help the efforts of conservation of the earth, with a career goal of being a consultant advisor on environmental issues regarding waste emissions, water quality and sustainability," Emily said.
The Soil and Water Stewardship Scholarship seeks to provide financial support to students enrolled full-time at an accredited two- or four-year community college, college, or university, which will lead to a career in a natural resource field.
Funding for this scholarship was made available from the Leopold Education Project, an educational program based on the works of noted conservationist and author Aldo Leopold. Leopold’s philosophy and land ethic created a foundation for modern conservation.
Photo Contest
The annual Kane-DuPage Soil and Water Conservation District Photo Contest is part of a larger statewide competition hosted by the Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts (AISWCD) Photo Contest, and ultimately the national competition hosted by the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD). The contest is open to all amateur photographers who live in Kane or DuPage Counties.
Poster Contest
The Soil and Water Stewardship Poster Contest is offered each spring and is open to all K-12 public, private, or home school students that live in Kane and DuPage Counties.
2024 Poster Contest
The Soil and Water Stewardship Poster Contest is open to all K-12 public, private, or home school students that live in Kane or DuPage Counties.
DEADLINE for 2024 was April 19th.
2024 Contest Information 2024 Poster Winner below:
DEADLINE for 2024 was April 19th.
2024 Contest Information 2024 Poster Winner below:
Envirothon
Each spring, teams of 5 high school students prepare with a teacher/coach to compete in the areas of aquatics, forestry, soils, wildlife and a current issue in natural resources. Regional winners advance to the state and then the national competition.
The Northeastern Illinois Envirothon is organized by local soil and water conservation districts and The Conservation Foundation. This competition is held over two days in early April. One competition is held for high schools in Cook, DuPage, Kane and Will counties. Another competition is held for high schools in Boone, DeKalb, Lake, and Winnebago counties.
Seminars & Workshops
KDSWCD offers workshops and seminars on topics related to the mission of the agency.
When they are scheduled,
information is posted on
Seminars & Events Page
When they are scheduled,
information is posted on
Seminars & Events Page