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Join us to help restore this unique prairie and woodland ecosystem back to health! Trained leaders show you how to identify plants that don't belong and demonstrate how to safely use hand tools to remove them. Depending on the season, workdays may also include native seed collection for dispersal in areas cleared of invasive species, hand pulling invasive grasses and flowers, as well as nature walks to enjoy the preserve.Are you a group? Please note!Group leaders must always contact the site steward first before registering for workdays: Laura Milkert: lmilkert@fieldmuseum.orgTake a virtual tour of Beaubien! We hope this will encourage you to visit Beaubien Woods and join us at our Stewardship Days!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.
Ongoing Opportunity
This opportunity has a schedule. Click view schedule belowon the left to see available times.
Description of location Volunteers should meet at the forest preserve's only picnic shelter, which is adjacent to Flatfoot Lake. Take the Bishop Ford/I-94 to the Beaubien Woods Exit #69, just south of 130th Street. If you are coming from the south, exit at 130th Street and loop back onto the expressway so that you can get off at the Beaubien Woods Exit. After taking exit #69, turn right at the T and follow the road to the parking lot and picnic shelter.
Contact person
Contact person: Laura Milkert lmilkert@fieldmuseum.org (312) 665-7444
Secondary contact: Catherine Hu chu@fieldmuseum.org
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. To ensure enough tools and supplies can be provided, please RSVP to Laura Milkert at least two days before the event. Are you a group? Please note! Group leaders must always contact the site steward first before registering for workdays: Laura Milkert: lmilkert@fieldmuseum.org
Dan Ryan Woods is the last remaining undeveloped portion of Blue Island, one of the highest points in Chicago and once an island in ancient Lake Chicago. The site preserves remnants of woodland and savanna plant communities. Volunteer groups have turned more attention from the playfields to the wilder parts of the preserve. The volunteers are removing invasive species, promoting native trees and wildflowers and restoring eroding slopes.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
Description of location Dan Ryan Forest Preserve is a mix of deep woods with a closed canopy that keeps much from growing in the understory, more open edges where oaks preside over a mix of native and non-native grasses and flowers, and small wetlands. In the best woodland communities (found south of 87th street) grow wild geranium, jack-in-the-pulpit, Virginia waterleaf, and other spring ephemerals. The area also contains wood-chipped trails and a paved bike trail. Meet in the Dan Ryan Woods East parking lot, 2 blocks west of Damen on the north side of 87th.
Contact person: Site Steward Benjmain Cox benjamin@fotfp.org (773) 398-1178
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.
Volunteers must be 18 years or older to participate.Eggers is a mosaic of wooded ridges where spring wildflowers thrive and narrow wetlands filled with sedges, marsh grasses, and waterfowl. Help remove invasive species that threaten to crowd out native plants. Trained leaders show you how to identify plants that don't belong and demonstrate how to safely use hand tools. Workdays may also include native seed collection, hand pulling invasive plants, and nature walks to enjoy the preserve.
Description of location Eggers Woods is composed of woodlands, savannas, and wetlands. It is one of the few remaining marshes in the entire Chicago metropolitan region where yellow-headed blackbirds and Virginia rails nest. It's varied natural areas make it attractive to migrating birds as well. The entrance to Eggers Woods is off 112th Street by the Burnham Greenway. The access road and parking lots wind south through the preserve.
Contact person: Site Steward Marianne Kozlowski zed470812@gmail.com (312) 995-9137
Secondary contact: Site Steward John Pastirik zed470812@gmail.com
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. 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.
From milkweed to goldenrod, Kickapoo's native prairie plants need your help. Join an inspiring movement of volunteers gathering to restore this special site along the Little Calumet River. Learn to restore diverse wildlife, trees, wildflowers, and health in our forest preserves and our river systems. Our goal is to grow a community of people who will become caretakers and stewards through on-going education and training.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.
Description of location Meet at the Kickapoo picnic pavilion next to the model airplane field
Contact person: Site Steward June Webb jwebb58920@aol.com
Secondary contact: South Side Field Organizer Gloria Orozco gloria@fotfp.org
You'll never believe you are in Chicago city limits in this rare dune-and-swale landscape. It's the most biologically rich area in the City home to ~250 plant species, 2,500 insects and 40 - 100 different kinds of birds, depending on the season. We remove invasive plants, collect native seeds, and enjoy the beauty on the 3rd Saturday of the month (usually) from 9 - noon. Join us as we help care for this unique place. Tools, training, and any guidance provided.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.
Unlimited Positions available!
Frequency:
Description of location Powderhorn Prairie is located on the east side of Brainard Ave. just south of Burnham Ave. on the border of Chicago and the Village of Burnham, Illinois.
Contact person: Site Steward Alice Brandon alicebran1972@gmail.com (312) 286-6937
Secondary contact: Site Steward Douglas Chien dskchien@sbcglobal.net
Help take care of Sand Ridge Nature Center with removal of invasive plants. Come out to this spectacular place and do some good work for nature and friends.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.
Description of location
Contact person: Steward Nancy Joseph njoseph2008@aol.com (773) 562-6177
Secondary contact: FOTFP Senior Field Organizer Gloria Orozco gloria@fotfp.org
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 Staff and volunteer leaders will implement protocols to ensure physical distancing, glove and mask usage, and tool sanitizing. Wear all essential personal protection equipment (PPE) including a face mask. Always keep a minimum distance of six feet from other volunteers. Plan accordingly, as many public restrooms are closed. Bring your own gloves, snack, water bottle, sunscreen, bug spray, and hand sanitizer. *Volunteer will help remove invasive plants like garlic mustard and buckthorn. *Must be able to work outdoors and have knowledge of working outdoors safely. *Should be able to use simple tools including loppers and hand saws.
