Learn

Learn

The I&M Canal National Heritage Corridor is full of learning opportunities. As the best kept secret in American history, there is something for everyone to discover here. Canal Corridor Association offers a number of programs and resources to support students, teachers and citizens to learn and teach the history of the I&M Canal.

I&M Canal History Fair Learn more about the I&M Canal Awards for outstanding history fair projects in each of the Junior and Senior Divisions at the Illinois History Expo.

I&M Canal Pioneers Share the history of your family's connection to the I&M Canal and add to the growing historical account of canal life.

Special Places Project Get educated on the natural, cultural and historic places that make the heritage corridor unique, and find out what you can do to protect them

Teacher Resources Download lesson plans on many different
historical points of the I&M Canal. You find Grades K-12 lesson plans in MS Word, Rich Text and HTML Format.

Robert Betz &
Floyd Swink

Robert Betz and Floyd Swink have collaborated for decades to save and restore the remnants of Illinois’ once vast prairies. It all began in 1959 when Swink, a leading authority on prairie plants, introduced Betz to the Santa Fe Prairie. Their dynamic leadership has inspired hundreds of volunteers and conservationists to preserve our remaining prairies.

As a child in Chicago, Betz (left) imagined that vacant lots were prairies. At Santa Fe Prairie he learned what constituted a true prairie. Amazed by the variety of plants found here, Betz dedicated his work to the study of native prairies.

A dedicated educator, Swink (right) also co-authored Plants of the Chicago Region, which catalogs native prairie plants in the area. His work has formed the basis for preserving Northeastern Illinois’ natural ecosystems.