4 Illinois conservation grants awarded

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Conservation Foundation has awarded four grants to get young people interested in outdoor activities.

The not-for-profit fundraising group announced it's giving $1,500 to the First Baptist Church of Waukegan's "Cool Learning Experience" outdoor education program.

The Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center's "Nature is Accessible" in Willow Springs will get $970. The center is managed by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County.

Trailnet will get $2,500 for the annual "Eagle Days" bald eagle conservation education weekend on the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge near Granite City.

And the Illinois Department of Natural Resource's division of education will get $5,000 for the annual "Earth Day in the Park" program which provides schoolchildren with habitat projects in state parks each spring.