MENDOTA – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Conservation Foundation announced a number of Illinois schools will be getting grants for a program to add native habitat to school property. The Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant program provides funds for educators to teach students about wildlife native to the prairie state. Funding was awarded to JFK School in Spring Valley and Mendota High School for the establishment of butterfly gardens. “We want school children to learn about nature through hands-on experiences,” IDNR Director Colleen Callahan said. “It is our goal to have Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant program projects developed in every county of the state, and eventually at every school. So far, we have supported projects in 86 of Illinois’ counties.”