Resources Trunks and Field Trip Packs

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Education has resources trunks and Field Trip Packs available for loan to formal and non-formal educators.

Resources trunks are large plastic containers filled with supplemental items to enhance your lessons. Trunks are available on 10 topics: "Aquatic Illinois," "Illinois Birds," "People and Animals from Illinois’ Past," "Illinois’ Insects and Spiders," "Illinois Fossils," "Illinois Prairies," "Illinois' State Symbols," "Illinois Trees," "Illinois' Invasive Species" and "Illinois Wild Mammals." Items included vary with the topic. For instance, the “Illinois Wild Mammals” trunk is full of skulls, furs, rubber tracks and other useful information. All trunks contain posters, videos, CD-ROMs, field guides, books and more items.

Field Trip Packs include equipment and resources designed to encourage nature exploration. Developed for grades prekindergarten through three, the packs also contain suggestions for teachers on how to incorporate natural resources into the curriculum.

Educators can borrow the resources trunks and Field Trip Packs from locations throughout Illinois. Please go to the Web site at http://dnr.state.il.us/education/CLASSRM/teach.htm to access lending location information. A two-week loan period is suggested. 

Still have questions? Please call the IDNR Division of Education at 217-524-4126 or email us at dnr.teachkids@illinois.gov.