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Have you ever puzzled over the identification of asters and goldenrods? Two plant groupings that instill fear in many a botanist's heart, asters and goldenrods can be notoriously difficult to identify. Learn identification tricks that will help you make sense of these colorful Autumn blooming plants. 3+ hours of reported volunteer service are required for enrollment.This class is presented in a recorded online format and may be viewed at your own pace. The presentation link will be emailed to registrants.
Ongoing Opportunity
This opportunity has a schedule. Click view schedule belowon the left to see available times.
Description of location
Contact person
Contact person: Kris DaPra kristin.dapra@cookcountyil.gov
3+ hours of recorded volunteer service are required.
Join us in-person for this companion class to Aster & Goldenrod ID. Practice what you've learned on-screen out in the field. Learn how to identify local aster and goldenrod species and what makes each distinctive. 3+ hours of reported volunteer service are required for enrollment.
Contact person: Teri Radke teri.radke@cookcountyil.gov
3+ hours of reported volunteer service are required for enrollment.
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.Classes offered in the Fall and Winter months.
Unlimited Positions available!
Description of location Locations across Forest Preserves, Cook County.
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).
National Safety Council First Aid/CPR training class for Forest Preserve staff and volunteers with at least 15 hours of service.Weekday classes are typically offered once per month, Saturday classes in 2022 will be: May 7, June 11, Oct 22You can sign up for a class up to 90 days ahead of time.* This class requires participants to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, All Forest Preserves volunteers who have online profiles can indicate that they are fully vaccinated by clicking on the link below:Statement of COVID-19 Vaccination Status
Contact person: Robert Langele robert.langele@cookcountyil.gov (708) 246-2530
Secondary contact: Joe Swano joe.swano@cookcountyil.gov
Location Salt Creek Resource Management, Ogden Ave and Howard, Western Springs, IL 60558 Entrance is on the north side of Ogden, just east of Wolf Road. Drive into the compound and turn right past the house and into the parking square. Important Info * Lunch- if weather permits, everyone can eat outside, but if not, we have to ask that you eat in your vehicle * We want to start the class promptly at 8am so that we can end on time * On the day of: if you know that you will be delayed and will not make it by 8am, please call or text 708-227-5166 * Due to COVID Guidelines, this is a reduced class size. *Everyone must wear a face mask at all times * The classroom will be set up where all will be socially distant and the garage overhead doors will be open throughout class time * Please dress for the weather
Learn the fundamentals of planning and leading successful volunteer projects, explore how to take on a leadership role, and learn about the policies and procedures relevant to volunteer leadership in the Forest Preserves. The Volunteer Group Leadership class is a training opportunity for experienced Ecological Stewardship Volunteers. This training fulfills one of the three class requirements to become a Stewardship Workday Leader. 15+ hours of reported stewardship volunteer service are required for enrollment.Available on demand. This class is presented in a recorded online format and may be viewed at your own pace. The presentation link will be emailed to registrants.
Description of location Classes are held throughout the county.
Website:https://ec.volunteernow.com/recruiter/index.php?recruiterID=1405&class=OppDetails&oppGuid=451F96BB-F25C-4913-BDE9-B175D19EE6AD
*This class is offered as an on-demand recorded training. The class link and supporting materials will be emailed to registered participants. *Certification requires passing a written exam * Fulfills one of the three class requirements to become a Stewardship Workday Leader or Seed Collection Leader * Must be a current Stewardship Volunteer * You MUST HAVE RECORDED 15+ hours of reported ecological stewardship experience to your volunteer account.
This class is offered as an on-demand recorded training.
Learn the differences between native, non-native and invasive plants, how to identify invasive plants commonly encountered at Forest Preserve sites, and the best management practices to effectively treat invasive plants.
Students should also register for the MANAGING INVASIVES PART 2: INVASIVE PLANT ID WORKSHOP to complete the required Managing Invasives training. The training is one of three components of the Path to Stewardship.
15+ hours of reported stewardship volunteer service are required for enrollment.
Description of location Classes are held at various locations each year.
Contact person: Kris DaPra kristin.dapra@cookcountyil.gov (773) 631-1790
Website:https://ec.volunteernow.com/recruiter/index.php?recruiterID=1405&class=OppDetails&oppGuid=A74C2AC4-C9FF-4C86-88D0-10732CEADE6C
*Two part class. Participants must complete both the online and in-person sessions. *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 to your volunteer account.
In this hands-on, outdoor class you will learn to identify the 16 most common invasive plants in the Forest Preserves.
The Managing Invasives training will consist of an online class and a in-person field training. Volunteers must attend both the online and field training sessions to complete the Managing Invasives Path to Stewardship training.15+ hours of recorded stewardship volunteer service are required.
*Blended class. Participants must attend both the online and in-person sessions. *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.
Need to complete your Field Observations for the Managing Invasives Path to Stewardship class? Sign up and our knowledgeable Forest Preserve staff will reach out and schedule to meet you at your preferred day, time and site. Participants must have completed the Managing Invasives training and exam.
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 and exam.
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, and in southern Illinois. 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.Plants of Concern training is now available online! Launched in spring 2021, video guided, self-directed training is now available for new volunteers. Learn why we monitor rare plants and read about the race to save rare plants.If you are interested in becoming a rare plant monitor, please follow the link below to the Plants of Concern website.Register for Traininghttps://plantsofconcern.org/about-training Get Involved in Plants of Concernhttps://plantsofconcern.org/get-involvedWith questions, contact info@plantsofconcern.org.
Dates: 16 Nov 2021 - 31 Dec 2022
34 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
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.This class is presented in a recorded online format and may be viewed at your own pace. The presentation link will be emailed to registrants.
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
* MUST HAVE RECORDED AT LEAST 3+ ECOLOGICAL STEWARDSHIP HOURS ONLINE Class will be virtual on-demand. 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.
Discover the secrets of sedges. Our instructor will help you gain a better understanding and appreciation of sedges, a family of plants that play an important role in our local ecological communities. We will practice identifying woodland sedges, with a focus on the overall appearance and visible vegetative characters. This class is recommended for volunteers with some basic plant identification skills. 15+ hours of reported volunteer service are required for enrollment.
Description of location Thatcher WoodsChicago Ave, west of Thatcher AveRiver Forest, IL 60305
Contact person: Teri Radke therese.radke@cookcountyil.gov
15+ hours of required stewardship volunteer service are required.
Learn to identify native trees and shrubs of the Forest Preserves. We'll look at summer identification characteristics such as leaves, bark, branches, flowers and fruit. 3+ hours of reported volunteer service are required for enrollment.
Description of location Meet in parking lot.
Contact person: Emily Russell Emily.Russell@cookcountyil.gov
3+ hours of required stewardship volunteer service are required.
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.
