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The Brush Pile Building & Burning Class is a training opportunity for experienced FPCC Ecological Stewardship Volunteers. 15+ hours of reported stewardship experience or the recommendation of FPCC staff or a Site Steward is required for enrollment. * Learn how to properly construct, safely ignite, monitor and secure brush piles * Understand the pre and post-burn communication requirements * Become confident in utilizing weather data and to make site observations that will inform decisions at workdays.
Ongoing Opportunity
Unlimited Positions available!
Contact person for opportunity
To become a Brush Pile Burn Boss requirements are: *Attend this class, *Complete a written test *Complete two field observations This class is also one of the three class requirements to become a Stewardship Workday Leader. To sign up for the class, click "SIGN UP INDIVIDUAL". And you MUST HAVE RECORDED AT LEAST 15 HOURS ONLINE or have a recommendation from a Site Steward, Workday Leader or FPCC staff. If you cannot make the class date or the date does not show up below (because it is full), click on the website at the bottom of this page and sign up for the Brush Pile Building & Burning Class Notification list. You will then receive notification when the next date is posted.
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.
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 30 HOURS ONLINE AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION Click "APPLY" 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).
This is the Notification List for Brushcutter Training, a training opportunity for experienced FPCC Ecological Stewardship Volunteers with 30+ hours of reported stewardship experience or the recommendation of FPCC staff or a Site Steward.
This class is typically offered in January, July and October * There will be a classroom review of safety issues, proper maintenance, including blade changing and sharpening and a field portion demonstrating proper operation, followed by practice time for each participant * Wear sturdy leather boots and outdoor clothing to the training * MUST HAVE RECORDED AT LEAST 30 HOURS ONLINE To see if there are any available dates, click on the website at the bottom of this page. Click "APPLY" 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).
This is the Notification List for Chainsaw Training - Safety Assistant, 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.
* Classroom and fieldwork experience provide an overview of safe and effective chainsaw operation at FPCC Stewardship Sites and basic maintenance * Feller I sawyers may fell trees up to 6" DBH when expressly permitted in a site's management schedule * The Classroom portion and a written exam will certify you as a Chainsaw Safety Assistant * Feller I position requires a FPCC Resource Management-administered field observation and skills test * Kevlar boots and other PPE will be provided for the field observation * MUST HAVE RECORDED AT LEAST 30 HOURS ONLINE AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION To see if there are any available dates, click on the website at the bottom of this page. Click "APPLY" 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).
**Register for this training via Morton Arboretum HERE** Chicago Wilderness will offer the Midwest Ecological Prescription Burn Crew Member Training class. Based on the National Wildfire Coordinating Group's (NWCG) S-130 and S-190 courses, this training covers the basics of such topics as fire behavior, controlled burn techniques, and smoke management. The objective is to provide participants with the background necessary to safely participate on the crew of a controlled burn.
Please be aware that although the training is accepted by many of the natural resource management agencies in the CW region as the minimum training required for a participant on a burn crew, it does not carry the official NWCG certification.
SCHEDULE AND LOCATION: All sections are from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m at the Morton Arboretum.Section A: Saturday, February 24, and Sunday, February 25, Cudahy RoomSection B: Thursday, March 1, and Friday, March 2, Sycamore RoomSection C: Thursday, March 15, and Friday, March 16, Arbor Room
FEES AND ADMISSION: $75.00 REGISTRATION INFORMATION HERE * IF REGISTERING MORE THAN ONE PERSON please call the Registrar at 630-719-2468. **Please Register via Morton Arboretum**
Dates: 17 Jul 2014 - 1 Jun 2018
This training is required to become a FPCC Prescription Burn Volunteer. Volunteer: Must attend and complete the Chicago Wilderness Prescription Burn Training. Then upload certificate to FPCC Volunteer profile. Sign-up for Prescription Burn Volunteers.
Schedule Slots Available!
The Forest Preserves of Cook County offers many educational opportunities. Classes are taught by district employees and most offer the opportunity to earn certified arborist CEUs.
Dates: 21 Oct 2015 - 21 Oct 2017
This opportunity has a schedule. Click view schedule belowon the left to see available times.
National Safety Council First Aid/CPR training class for Forest Preserve staff and volunteers with at least 15 hours of service
Secondary contact
NOTE: Weekend classes are offered: January 27, March 24, May 12, September 15, and October 20. Click on the website at the bottom of this page and sign up for the First Aid/CPR Class Notification List to receive notification when the next weekend date is posted. Weekday classes are offered once per month. * 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 To sign up for the class, click "SIGN UP INDIVIDUAL".
This is the Notification List for the First Aid/CPR training offered on weekends.The 2018 weekend dates are: January 27, March 24, May 12, September 15 and October 20
Frequency:
Weekend classes in 2018 will be: * January 27 * March 24 * May 12 * September 15 * October 20 To see if there are any available dates, click on the website at the bottom of this page. TO ATTEND THE CLASS, YOU MUST BE FPCC STAFF OR HAVE RECORDED AT LEAST 15 HOURS ONLINE Click "APPLY" 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).
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.Click here to see if there are any available dates.
This class is typically offered in April, August and November. 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 * MUST HAVE RECORDED AT LEAST 30 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).
This is the Notification List for the Pesticide License Test and Test Prep class offered in November and December, a training opportunity for experienced FPCC Ecological Stewardship Volunteers.We will hold testing on Friday, November 17 and Saturday, November 18 at the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s Volunteer Resource Center. To find out when a local testing option is available you can visit www.pesticidesafety.illinois.edu. You will have to pay the $15 fee for each category you would like to test in. We recommend taking the General Standards & Right-A-Away.
The Forest Preserves of Cook County hosts Pesticide test sessions and Pesticide Test Prep classes every November and December to help experienced FPCC Ecological Stewardship Volunteers earn an Illinois Pesticide (Herbicide) License. 15+ hours of reported stewardship experience or the recommendation of FPCC staff or a site steward is required for enrollment. This license is required for Ecological Stewardship Volunteers who want to apply herbicide at restoration sites To see if there are any available dates, click on the website at the bottom of this page. See the attachment "document" above for details of other ways to get certified. Click "APPLY" 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).
The Illinois Butterfly Monitoring Network is a diverse group of volunteers who identify and count butterflies on more than 400 routes on sites in Illinois. Volunteers collect data that are valuable to scientists, researchers and land managers in evaluating how restoration practices and other changes affect butterfly populations.Website: bfly.orgThese training workshops are recommended for intermediate butterfly monitors and monitors needing to review protocol and identification.
Registration is required.
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.
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 * MUST HAVE RECORDED AT LEAST 15 HOURS ONLINE AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION Click "APPLY" 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).
This is the Notification List for the Practical Herbicide class, a training opportunity which provides an overview of herbicide application in natural areas for licensed Herbicide Operators or Applicators.
This class is typically offered in the Spring. To see if there are any available dates, click on the website at the bottom of this page. 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 FPCC * Storage, transportation, mixing and disposal * Herbicide labels and Safety Data Sheets * Environmental safety and personal safety * Signage and recordkeeping Click "APPLY" 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).
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 for 2018. Learn about the program, meet Police and Volunteer Resource Staff and socialize with fellow volunteers.
Dates: 1 Sep 2013 - 31 Jan 2019
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 are out enjoying the preserves. 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 for 2018. Learn about the program, meet key people and socialize with fellow volunteers.
The 2018 classes will be offered in January, April, July and October. 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.
It's time for our next Quarterly Meeting! We'll be putting your TW training to the test on a 2.5 mile beginner/intermediate-level hike along the Palos trail system. Current Trail Watch Volunteers are invited to attend to meet fellow volunteers, Police, and staff and share their stories.
Dates: 29 Mar 2018 - 29 Apr 2018
These Quarterly Meetings provide information and enrichment for Trail Watch volunteers. Meet fellow volunteers, mingle, and learn!
The next tree health monitoring training will be held in JULY 2018. Going through the training will provide you the opportunity to become a Tree Health Monitor. Monitors access tree health using a nationally recognized protocol developed by The Nature Conservancy and the USDA Forest Service. In the Tree Health Monitor Training you will learn how to:
Dates: 24 Jul 2017 - 1 Sep 2018
Expectations of being a Tree Monitor Training: Attend the the four hour course.
Turnbull Woods oak woodland ecosystem is being restored to new health! Invasive shrubs have been removed bringing needed sunlight to wildflowers, grasses and oak seedlings. Come see how Turnbull Woods is changing and look for native plants and animals enjoying the newly open woodland.
All participants should dress for a day of outdoor walking. Please wear shoes/boots that may get muddy and long pants. Some binoculars will be available or bring your own. Please pre-register. Thank you!
