Nothing beats a fun class field trip, especially ones that create hands-on learning experiences and connection to nature. Seasonally, third-through fifth-grade classes at Conrad Fischer Elementary School in Elmhurst, IL participate in the regional Mighty Acorns program, an outdoor education program for local elementary schools sponsored by ComEd. The students walk to a nearby ComEd transmission right of way to help preserve and grow native prairie habitat and apply learnings from the Mighty Acorns curriculum.
Fifth grade students Sylvia and Kiley
Through their participation in the Mighty Acorns program, these students contribute to the health of local natural areas, building a personal sense of connection to the Fischer School prairie with The Conservation Foundation and support from ComEd. ComEd is proud to support this program with funding for educational materials and by opening its transmission rights of way for hands-on restoration field trips, while staff from The Conservation Foundation and Stantec, ComEd’s environmental contractor, lead field trip activities and answer questions about nature.
“It’s so much fun exploring the prairie with my best friend!” said Sylvia, fifth grader at Conrad Fischer. “I started Mighty Acorns in third grade and the prairie has grown so much, and it all starts with one seed.”
At the prairie, students participate in field study activities like collecting native plant seeds and observing wildlife. Equipped with seed and bug collectors, the students enthusiastically explore the prairie. Each trip to the prairie involves a different mission. On a recent outing, students collected seeds focused on native species that meet the current needs of the prairie. Students are provided with a pre-field trip and post-field trip lesson about pollinators and their habitats, local wildlife, and native plant species to supplement their discoveries in the prairie.
Students safely releasing a snail to its habitat
Before returning to the classroom, Stantec collects the students’ seeds to be spread throughout the prairie or traded with other schools to promote biodiversity across the region. On their latest field trip earlier this month, Conrad Fischer students focused on collecting bee balm seeds, with the wildlife find of the day being a praying mantis.
“In a time when many kids are influenced by technology, seeing my students enjoying time outside with their friends, not only sparking their learning and creativity but fostering their respect for nature, this is what it’s all about,” said Desiree Martinez, bilingual fifth grade teacher at Conrad Fischer. “They are also building connections and working with partners that they normally might not work with in the classroom.”
Created in 1993 by The Nature Conservancy and others, the Mighty Acorns curriculum supports the next generation of environmental stewards and is offered at 70 schools across the Chicago Wilderness region. In 2026, the program will support over 20 grade school classrooms with almost 450 students participating.
“The Mighty Acorns program aligns with ComEd’s commitment to conservation by engaging students in hands-on learning about Illinois’ native ecosystems—right within our transmission rights-of-way,” said Neena Hemmady, Vice President of Projects and Contracts at ComEd. “These corridors offer a unique opportunity to support biodiversity while partnering with local schools to turn utility land into conservation learning opportunities.”
With the support of ComEd and the dedication of teachers, TCF education staff, and Stantec ecologist Dave Bart, the Mighty Acorns program at Conrad Fischer School has grown from three classes of third grade in 2017 to fifteen classes of third to fifth grade. The students have been able to witness the right-of-way’s transition from turf grass to a prairie with over 100 species through their participation in stewardship projects.
“We at The Conservation Foundation are grateful for ComEd’s continued support for the Mighty Acorns program. This support over time allows us to support the next generation of environmental stewards and it connects students to nature in a way that’s both educational and deeply personal,” said Alison Paul, Vice President of Community Conservation at The Conservation Foundation. “It’s powerful to see students grow alongside the prairies near their school each season, building knowledge and confidence, and of course, having a blast. On top of learning about ecosystems, they’re developing a lasting sense of environmental responsibility, while building connections with their classmates.”
To learn more about ComEd’s commitment to our environment, visit ComEd.com/Environment, and check out this video from The Conservation Foundation to learn more about Mighty Acorn’s impact.
ComEd right of way prairie by Conrad Fischer Elementary School
