Description
Volunteer workdays are held two or more times a month at LaBagh. Contact labaghvolunteers@gmail.com to join our email announcement list.
Located on the North Branch of the Chicago River, LaBagh is an important stopover point for birds during their spring and fall migration journeys. Most of LaBagh is made up of floodplain and savanna communities dominated by swamp white oak, which thrives in wet conditions. The floodplain contains ponds and marshes that were carved out by the river hundreds of years ago. The upland areas are drier, but often wet in the spring and fall due to poor-draining soils that allow standing water to accumulate. Join volunteers in restoring this special site along the Chicago River with a unique focus on planting native shrubs to provide bird habitat and food.
Youth under age 18 must be accompanied by a legal parent/guardian or attend with a chaperoned organized youth group (school, scouts, faith-based). Volunteers under age 18 must have their volunteer waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian.
Schedule
Unlimited Positions available!
Frequency:
Sunday: Mornings, Sunday: Afternoons, Sunday: Evenings, Saturday: Mornings, Saturday: Afternoons, Saturday: Evenings, Season: Spring, Season: Summer, Season: Fall, Season: Winter
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. 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.
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.
