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.
There are two age divisions, youth and adult 19 and up.
Contestants can enter as many as two photos in each of the categories
Photo Categories
Photos should be taken within Kane or DuPage Counties.
TIP: research these topics to ensure accurate portrayal!
• Conservation Practices
• Close Up Conservation
• Conservation in Action
• Agriculture & Conservation Across America
Prizes
One first place winner and one runner-up will be chosen for each category in both age divisions. Each first-place winner will receive a $50 gift card and will be entered in the AISWCD photo contest.
Photos should be taken within Kane or DuPage Counties.
TIP: research these topics to ensure accurate portrayal!
• Conservation Practices
• Close Up Conservation
• Conservation in Action
• Agriculture & Conservation Across America
Prizes
One first place winner and one runner-up will be chosen for each category in both age divisions. Each first-place winner will receive a $50 gift card and will be entered in the AISWCD photo contest.
Each runner-up will receive a conservation book of their choice from our retail stock.
Entry Instructions
An entry form and photo release must be completed for EACH photo submitted.
Photos must be JPEG or TIFF file format.
Send photos to: contact@kanedupageswcd.org
Deadline: May 1, 2025
Deadline: May 1, 2025
There are two age divisions, youth and adult 19 and up.
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.
2025 Poster Contest
The Kane-DuPage Soil and Water Stewardship Poster Contest provides school students with an opportunity to share their thoughts about natural resource issues.
Eligibility 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 is April 19, 2025
The Kane-DuPage Soil and Water Stewardship Poster Contest provides school students with an opportunity to share their thoughts about natural resource issues.
Eligibility 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 is April 19, 2025
Prizes
K-1, 2-3 and 4-6 grade divisions:
$25 gift card will be awarded to the grand-prize winner and $10 gift card will be awarded to the first runner-up.
7-9 and 10-12 grade divisions:
$50 gift card will be awarded to the grand-prize winner and $25 gift card will be awarded to the first runner-up.
K-1, 2-3 and 4-6 grade divisions:
$25 gift card will be awarded to the grand-prize winner and $10 gift card will be awarded to the first runner-up.
7-9 and 10-12 grade divisions:
$50 gift card will be awarded to the grand-prize winner and $25 gift card will be awarded to the first runner-up.
Theme
Habitat provides the essentials that plants and animals need to survive, like food, water, shelter and space. Native habitats play a vital role in sustaining biodiversity, storing carbon, and protecting soil and water resources. When animals, plants, and aquatic life have healthy habitats, it benefits us all by ensuring ecosystem stability, enhancing natural beauty, supporting clean air and water, and creating a resilient and sustainable environment.
Habitat provides the essentials that plants and animals need to survive, like food, water, shelter and space. Native habitats play a vital role in sustaining biodiversity, storing carbon, and protecting soil and water resources. When animals, plants, and aquatic life have healthy habitats, it benefits us all by ensuring ecosystem stability, enhancing natural beauty, supporting clean air and water, and creating a resilient and sustainable environment.
Where to submit entries:
Posters must be mailed or delivered to the
Kane-DuPage
Soil and Water Conservation District office,
2315 Dean St.
Suite 100,
St. Charles, IL 60175 no later than Friday, April 19
Posters must be mailed or delivered to the
Kane-DuPage
Soil and Water Conservation District office,
2315 Dean St.
Suite 100,
St. Charles, IL 60175 no later than Friday, April 19
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