Elementary school teachers in Chattooga County and across Georgia have an opportunity to receive $1,000 to help bring conservation and outdoor learning into their classrooms.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications for its annual Conservation Teacher of the Year grant, which recognizes educators who use innovative approaches to teaching life sciences.

The grant is open to kindergarten through fifth-grade teachers at public and private schools in Georgia, including science specialists who teach those grade levels. That means eligible educators in both the Chattooga County School System and Trion City Schools, as well as local private schools, can apply.

DNR says applicants should use Georgia’s native animals, plants and habitats to help teach Georgia Standards of Excellence. While the program emphasizes life science, teachers are encouraged to incorporate other subjects into their projects.

Preference will be given to creative projects that take students outside and provide hands-on learning opportunities, particularly projects that might not be possible without grant funding. Projects can be conducted on school grounds, and instruction can also include online components.

The Conservation Teacher of the Year program is coordinated by the Wildlife Conservation Section of Georgia DNR’s Wildlife Resources Division, which works to conserve Georgia’s native animals, plants and habitats while encouraging public appreciation of the outdoors.

Applications must be submitted by November 2, and DNR plans to notify the winning teacher by November 16.

Additional information and application materials are available through the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division’s Conservation Teacher of the Year program. Conservation Teacher Grant Information