Description
Volunteers must be 18 years or older to participate.
Eggers is a mosaic of wooded ridges where spring wildflowers thrive and narrow wetlands filled with sedges, marsh grasses, and waterfowl. Help remove invasive species that threaten to crowd out native plants. Trained leaders show you how to identify plants that don't belong and demonstrate how to safely use hand tools. Workdays may also include native seed collection, hand pulling invasive plants, and nature walks to enjoy the preserve.
Schedule
Schedule Slots Available!
14 Dec 2024
Stewardship Volunteer Days
Meeting Place: In the parking lot east of the Caretaker's Building, near the Green Pod.
Contact: Marianne Kozlowski
Phone: (312) 995-9137
Available Positions: 10
11 Jan 2025
Stewardship Volunteer Days
Meeting Place: In the parking lot east of the Caretaker's Building, near the Green Pod.
Contact: Marianne Kozlowski
Phone: (312) 995-9137
Available Positions: 10
8 Feb 2025
Stewardship Volunteer Days
Meeting Place: In the parking lot east of the Caretaker's Building, near the Green Pod.
Contact: Marianne Kozlowski
Phone: (312) 995-9137
Available Positions: 10
Location
Eggers Woods Forest Preserve 11200 S Avenue E
Chicago IL, 60617
Eggers Woods is composed of woodlands, savannas, and wetlands. It is one of the few remaining marshes in the entire Chicago metropolitan region where yellow-headed blackbirds and Virginia rails nest. It's varied natural areas make it attractive to migrating birds as well. The entrance to Eggers Woods is off 112th Street by the Burnham Greenway. The access road and parking lots wind south through the preserve.
Contact Info
Contact person for opportunity
Contact person:
Site Steward Marianne Kozlowski
zed470812@gmail.com
(312) 995-9137
Secondary contact:
Site Steward
John Pastirik
zed470812@gmail.com
Requirements & Documents
Requirements
Requirements
All volunteers need to complete the volunteer agreement and waiver form in order to participate. Be prepared for variable weather, uneven terrain, standing and/or walking for two or more hours, working near a fire, and hazardous insects and plants.
What to Expect
Stewardship volunteers help to restore natural habitat by performing seasonal restoration tasks. The work may include removing weeds and invasive vegetation, cutting and burning invasive woody plants, collecting and spreading native seed, and collecting trash. These tasks may incorporate the use of tools, including hand saws, loppers, pruning shears, trowels, shovels, rakes, and other hand tools (manual). All necessary tools, supplies, gloves, and training will be provided.
Safety
While we strive to create the safest environment possible, it is impossible to eliminate all potential hazards when working outside in nature. Volunteers are advised to wear long pants, sturdy closed-toe shoes and other seasonally appropriate clothing that can get dirty. Bring a water bottle. Hazards may include stinging or biting insects, poison ivy, walking on uneven terrain, a fire to burn cut brush, and inclement weather.
All individuals should consider their level of risk for the COVID-19 virus prior to engaging in any volunteer service. Review the Forest Preserve's COVID-19 page each day before volunteering for important updates and safety precautions. DO NOT attempt to volunteer if in the last 14 days you: 1. have any of the symptoms related to COVID-19 as identified by the Centers for Disease Control 2. have traveled to any foreign country or states with a high incidence of COVID-19 infections.
