Description
Kloempken Prairie contains a wide variety of remnant natural areas, including prairie, sedge meadow, savanna, swamp white oak flatwoods, upland oak-hickory woodlands, and oak-maple forests, all in about a 120 acre area. Join Kloempken Prairie restoration volunteers as we remove buckthorn and other invasive species, such as garlic mustard.
Youth under 18 must be accompanied by a legal parent/guardian or attend with a chaperoned organized youth group (school, scouts, church). Volunteers under age 18 must have their volunteer waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian.
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Schedule
Unlimited Positions available!
Frequency:
Sunday: Mornings, Season: Spring, Season: Summer, Season: Fall, Season: Winter
Location
Oakton Community College 1600 E. Golf Road
Des Plaines IL, 60016
We park in a parking lot on the Oakton Community College Campus in Des Plaines. Turn north from Golf Road at the traffic light on to College Drive, just east of the Des Plaines River between Des Plaines River Road and East River Road. Turn right at the first stop sign, in front of the main buildings. Then turn right at another stop sign into Parking Lot C, which is surrounded by woods. We meet at the east side of the lot, past the Maintenance building
Contact Info
Contact person for opportunity
Contact person:
Volunteer Steward Bob Hostettler
prairiebob@msn.com
Requirements & Documents
Requirements
Requirements
Youth under 18 must be accompanied by a legal parent/guardian or attend with a chaperoned organized youth group (school, scouts, church). Volunteers under age 18 must have their volunteer waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian.
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.
