SOCIAL CIRCLE — The Nongame Conservation Section of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources is offering a $1,000 grant to a Georgia third-, fourth- or fifth-grade public or private school teacher who demonstrates exceptional energy and innovation in teaching life sciences. This opportunity is possible thanks to support from The Environmental Resource Network, or TERN, friends group of the Nongame Conservation Section.

The purpose of the grant is to recognize and help an outstanding teacher who uses Georgia’s nongame wildlife as the context for learning third-, fourth- or fifth-grade curriculum standards. Nongame wildlife refers to native animals that are not fished for or hunted and rare plants not harvested, such as gopher tortoises and Georgia aster.

“Students who learn about plants, wildlife and habitats often develop an appreciation for these diverse natural resources and are then motivated to be good stewards of the environment, not just during childhood but also as adults,” said Linda May, DNR environmental outreach coordinator.

Projects that are especially creative and teach about Georgia’s rare or endangered species, as well as those that can’t be funded otherwise, will earn bonus points.

See www.georgiawildlife.com/education/educator-resources for details.

The deadline to apply is Sept. 16. The DNR will notify the grant winner and award funding in October.