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This is the Notification List for the Brush Pile Building & Burning Class, a training opportunity for experienced FPCC Ecological Stewardship Volunteers with 15+ hours of reported stewardship experience or the recommendation of FPCC staff or Site Steward.
Ongoing Opportunity
Unlimited Positions available!
Description of location Locations across Forest Preserves, Cook County.
Contact person
Contact person: volunteer.fpd@cookcountyil.gov (773) 631-1790
Website:http://fpdcc.com/training
This class is offered several times throughout the year. To see if there are any available dates, click on the website at the bottom of this page. * Learn how to properly construct, safely ignite, monitor and secure brush piles * Learn the pre and post-burn communication requirements * Learn how to utilize weather data and to make site observations that will inform decisions at workdays * This class, a written test and two field observations are required to become a Brush Pile Burn Boss * Fulfills one of the three class requirements to become a Stewardship Workday Leader * MUST HAVE RECORDED AT LEAST 15 HOURS ONLINE AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION Click "SIGN UP" to be put on a wait list and you will be notified when a class is posted and you can sign up for it (about 45-60 days before the class date).
Schedule Slots Available!
Take the first step towards being certified as a Chicago Wilderness Brush Pile Burn Boss*. In this regionally accepted training, learn how to properly construct, safely ignite, monitor, and secure brush piles as part of restoration projects. Understand the pre- and post-burn communication requirements, become confident in utilizing weather data, supervising others around a burn pile, and making site observations that will inform decisions at workdays. The Chicago Wilderness Brush Pile Building & Burning Class is a training opportunity for experienced volunteers currently working with CW agencies to manage or restore natural areas. 15+ hours of reported ecological stewardship experience are required for enrollment. Experience with brush pile burning is recommended. *This course does not certify you to manage prescription fire.Requirements: Participants in this workshop must meet the following requirements to be eligible to be a volunteer Brush Pile Burn Boss:*A current volunteer at an agency, non-profit, or other organization that manages or owns land and has the environmental permits, guidance, and policies in place to conduct brush burning. (This training is not intended for private individual landowners)*15+ hours of reported ecological stewardship experience.*Two field observations*Review of agency specific requirements with a representative of the agency you will burn with are required to complete your CW Brush Pile Burn Boss certification following the training.
This opportunity has a schedule. Click view schedule belowon the left to see available times.
Description of location Locations throughout Cook County
Contact person: Kris DaPra Kristin.DaPra@cookcountyil.gov (773) 631-1790
Website:https://ec.volunteernow.com/recruiter/index.php?recruiterID=1405&class=OppDetails&oppGuid=031BC722-1E2A-4C1E-81C1-FD8B479480B1
To become a Chicago Wilderness Brush Pile Burn Boss, requirements are: *Attend a Brush Pile Building and Burning class *Complete a written test *Complete two field observations within 1 year of training *Review of agency specific requirements with a representative of the agency you will burn with are required to complete your CW Brush Pile Burn Boss certification following the training. This class is also one of the three class requirements to become a FPCC Stewardship Workday Leader. You MUST HAVE RECORDED 15+ hours of reported ecological stewardship experience ONLINE or have a recommendation from a Site Steward, Workday Leader or agency staff. If you cannot make the class date or the date does not show up below (because it is full), sign up for the Brush Pile Building & Burning Class Notification list (located on the Training Page). You will then receive notification when the next date is posted.
National Safety Council First Aid/CPR training class for Forest Preserve staff and volunteers with at least 15 hours of service.Saturday classes in 2021 will be: May 15, June 12, and October 23We are resuming in-person classes with reduced class sizes and students must wear a face mask at all times. The classroom will be set up where all students will be socially distant and the overhead doors will be open.
Frequency:
Description of location
Contact person: Robert Langele robert.langele@cookcountyil.gov (708) 246-2530
Secondary contact: Joe Swano joe.swano@cookcountyil.gov
Weekday classes are typically offered once per month with several Saturday classes per year. You can sign up for a class up to 90 days ahead of time. * MUST BE FPCC STAFF OR A VOLUNTEER WITH AT LEAST 15 HOURS RECORDED ONLINE * Bring your own lunch - 1/2 hour lunch break * Wear comfortable clothes and shoes
This is the Notification List for the Group Leadership Class, a training opportunity for experienced FPCC Ecological Stewardship Volunteers with 15+ hours of reported stewardship experience or the recommendation of FPCC staff or Site Steward.
Description of location Classes are held throughout the county.
Class Description and Requirements: * Learn the fundamentals of planning and leading successful volunteer projects * Learn how to take on a leadership role * Learn about the policies and procedures relevant to volunteer leadership in the forest preserves * Training includes classroom experience; certification requires passing a written exam * Fulfills one of the three class requirements to become a Stewardship Workday Leader * Must be a current Stewardship Volunteer * You MUST HAVE RECORDED 15+ hours of reported ecological stewardship experience ONLINE or have a recommendation from a Site Steward, Workday Leader or agency staff. Click "Sign Up" to be put on a wait list and you will be notified when a class is posted and you can sign up for it (about 15-45 days before the class date).
This is the Notification List for the Managing Invasives class, a training opportunity for experienced FPCC Ecological Stewardship Volunteers with 15+ hours of reported stewardship experience or the recommendation of FPCC staff or a Site Steward.
Description of location Classes are held at various locations each year.
This class is typically offered in Spring and Summer. To see if there are any available dates, click on the website at the bottom of this page. * Learn the difference between native, non-native and invasive plants * Learn how to identify invasive plants commonly encountered at stewardship sites * Learn best management practices and how to effectively treat invasive species * Training includes classroom experience and outdoor field component * Certification requires passing a written exam and two field observations * Fulfills one of the three class requirements to become a Stewardship Workday Leader * You MUST HAVE RECORDED 15+ hours of reported ecological stewardship experience ONLINE or have a recommendation from a Site Steward, Workday Leader or agency staff. Click "SIGN UP" to be put on a wait list and you will be notified when a class is posted and you can sign up for it (about 45-60 days before the class date).
Need to complete your Field Observation for the Managing Invasives/Invasive Species Management class or a review of invasive plants identification? Sign up for a field session and our knowledgeable forest preserve staff will reach out and schedule to meet you at your preferred day, time and site.
Description of location Classes are held at various locations across Cook County.
Contact person: Kristin.DaPra@cookcountyil.gov (773) 631-1790
* Must have completed the Managing Invasives/Invasive Species Management training (in person classroom or on-line).
Plants of Concern is a collaboration between community scientists, natural resource managers and researchers to collect data on rare plant populations in the Chicago region. Our goal is to uncover the best conservation practices to protect these rare species, while creating awareness and providing education about why their conservation matters.Join us for a Plants of Concern workshop to learn monitoring skills.Learn why we monitor rare plants and read about the race to save rare plants.Plants of Concern is introducing online training! Starting Spring 2021, video guided training will be available for new volunteers.If you are interested in becoming a rare plant monitor, please follow the registration link below. An email with more information will be sent out once the training is available.Register HereFor questions, contact info@plantsofconcern.org
Dates: 8 Feb 2021 - 31 Dec 2021
36 Positions available!
Contact person: Manager, Plants of Concern Gretel Kiefer gkiefer@chicagobotanic.org
Secondary contact: FPCC Volunteer Program Specialist Mary Busch mary.busch@cookcountyil.gov (773) 631-1790
Website:www.plantsofconcern.org
Herbicide applications are an important tool to managing invasive species and improving the ecological health of our Forest Preserves. The Practical Herbicide Class offered with the Forest Preserves of Cook County covers herbicide application in natural areas and aims to provide licensed herbicide applicators and operators with the practical knowledge to make good herbicide decisions. Whether you are a newly licensed or experienced herbicider, this class is for you. This is an on-demand review class and does not certify you to receive the Alternative Herbicide License from the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
Description of location Virtual.
Contact person: Kris DaPra Kristin.DaPra@cookcountyil.gov
This training will cover: Controlling invasives with herbicides Management Schedule and Plans State Licensing, Testing and Renewal Overview of types of herbicides available from FPCC Herbicide application methods Overview of application tools and supplies available from the FPCC Storage, transportation, mixing and disposal Herbicide labels and Safety Data Sheets Environmental safety and personal safety Signage and recordkeeping PREREQUISITE: You need to be placed in the Herbicide Operator, Herbicide Applicator, or Practical Herbicide License opportunity to register for the class.
How do land managers decide how and where to develop and focus ecological restoration projects? This class will show you how to interpret the landscape by looking at historical records, land use, climate, soil, and vegetation clues that will help you understand the ecological health of a site and guide your understanding of how to prioritize restoration work. Topics include an introduction to the Public Land Survey, historical aerial photos, plant succession, and human impact. Try your hand at creating your own stewardship priorities using all the tools you'll be introduced to in this class.
Dates: 14 May 2020 - 1 Feb 2022
* MUST HAVE RECORDED AT LEAST 3+ ECOLOGICAL STEWARDSHIP HOURS ONLINE Class will be virtual. You'll be able to proceed at your own pace with staff support as needed. Approximate time to complete the class and materials is 3 hours.
Be a part of our rapidly-growing community of Trail Watch Volunteers. Attending a Trail Watch New Volunteer Training session is required to be a Trail Watch Volunteer. Learn about the program, meet Police and Volunteer Resource Staff and socialize with fellow volunteers.
Dates: 1 Sep 2013 - 1 Feb 2024
Description of location Trail watch trainings take place at various locations throughout Cook County.
Contact person: Volunteer Program Coordinator Joanna Huyck (773) 631-1790
Be a visible presence on our trails to help make our preserves welcoming and inviting to all visitors, as you are out enjoying the preserves. Monitor and report any troubling conditions. A background check is required, see the attached document for a full Trail Watch Volunteer position description. This new Volunteer Training will be taught in January, April, July and October. New training dates coming soon!
Position Description
This is the Notification List for the Trail Watch - New Volunteer Training. You can also see if there are any currently scheduled classes.Be a part of the Trail Watch Volunteer Program. Attendance at a Trail Watch Volunteer New Volunteer Training session is required to be a Trail Watch Volunteer. Learn about the program, meet key people and socialize with fellow volunteers.
Contact person: Volunteer Program Coordinator Joanna Huyck joanna.huyck@cookcountyil.gov (773) 631-1790 x22
Training sessions are offered in January, April, July and October. Due to the pandemic, the July training is being rescheduled for a later date. Become additional eyes and ears of our Law Enforcement Department. Be a visible presence to help make our Preserves welcoming and inviting to all visitors, as you enjoy your favorite outdoor activities. A background check is required. See the attached document for a full Trail Watch Volunteer position description.
