Lend a hand this spring at Volunteer Morning programs
April 15, 2026/
Volunteers are being sought for spring programs that help spruce up the preserves by removing invasive species, controlling brush and planting native plants.
Here are the spring Volunteer Morning programs. (Unless otherwise noted, programs are from 9 a.m. to noon and for ages 10 and older.)
April
- Saturday, April 18: Joliet Junior College, Joliet. Brush control.
- Tuesday, April 21: Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve, Crete Township. Fence removal. Ages 16 and older.
- Thursday, April 30: Old Plank Road Trail – Wolf Road Access, Mokena. Brush control.
May
- Sunday, May 3: Hickory Creek Preserve – LaPorte Road Access, Mokena. Brush control.
- Tuesday, May 5: Evans-Judge Preserve, Custer Township. Brush control.
- Sunday, May 10: Hickory Creek Preserve – Hickory Creek Junction, Mokena. Brush control.
- Thursday, May 21: Hammel Woods Preserve – DuPage River Access, Shorewood. Brush control.
- Thursday, May 28: Rock Run Preserve – Paul V. Nichols Access, Joliet. Brush control.
June
- Sunday, June 7: 8 a.m.-11 a.m. Monee Reservoir, Monee Township. Brush control.
- Thursday, June 11: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve, Crete Township. Seed collection. Ages 8 and older.
- Tuesday, June 16: Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, Channahon. Plug planting. Ages 10 and up.
- Thursday, June 18: Prairie Bluff Preserve, Crest Hill. Plug planting.
- Saturday, June 27: 8 a.m.-11 a.m. Riverview Farmstead Preserve, Naperville. Invasive weed control.
For more information and to fill out a volunteer application and waiver, visit the Volunteer Page. To see current openings, send an email to [email protected].
Building relationships
Volunteers can sign up for one program or multiple programs.
“You don’t need to make a long-term commitment or donate hundreds of hours to get involved as a volunteer with the Forest Preserve,” said Emily Kenny, the Forest Preserve District’s volunteer services supervisor. “But for those who enjoy pitching in, we hope they return for future opportunities throughout the year.”
Others choose to become Prairie People Volunteers, which involves additional training for roles that may require independent work or specialized skills.
“It’s important to match the right person with the right assignment,” Kenny said. “Volunteering is more than just a transaction; it’s about building relationships that create a positive experience for everyone involved.”
Tue Jun 9
91° 72°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Latest News Stories
Colorado receives $420M from feds for high-speed internet
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square The federal government awarded Colorado nearly $420.6 million for high-speed internet investments throughout the state. The announcement came this week and was applauded by Colorado...
WATCH: U.S. Rep. Miller live; Heated rhetoric in Congress; SNAP, ‘basic income’ debate
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop talks live with...
Illinois quick hits: Layoff announcements; Freedom Caucus criticizes library association
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Layoff announcements According to the latest Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notices, 1,138 employees across the state will be...
Two Virginia men arrested in plot to destroy federal databases
By Shirleen GuerraThe Center Square Two Virginia men were arrested after federal prosecutors said they conspired to destroy government databases and steal U.S. government information while working as federal contractors....
Arrest made in 2021 RNC, DNC pipe bomb case
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The FBI has reportedly arrested a suspect in relation to pipe bombs planted outside the Democratic and Republican National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C., on...
Penny: State revenue, retailers’ leverage strategy are in report’s thoughts
By David BeasleyThe Center Square State governments are left holding the bag on the U.S. government's halt to the production of a penny, a new report from the National Conference...
Freedom advocates push for Ten Commandments in schools
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square Legal battles over the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools continue with a new brief filed this week, backed by 46 members of...
Afghan national arrested in Virginia, accused of supporting ISIS
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square An Afghan national accused of providing support to the Islamic State was arrested Wednesday in Virginia, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Immigration and...
California issues campus guidance on ICE; agency denies raids
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square California officials are pushing back against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under new guidance aimed at protecting students on campus, while ICE insists it does...
Illinois quick hits: Job training grants announced; products market moving indoors
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Job training grants announced Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced an additional $10 million...
Chicago aldermen advance ordinance to restrict hemp sales
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Chicago city council committee has advanced an ordinance that would ban most hemp sales in the...
WATCH: IL Democrats’ rhetoric against law enforcement takes Congressional spotlight
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois’ role in the immigration debate took center stage during a congressional hearing about anti-law enforcement rhetoric....
WATCH: ‘Bipartisan’ Pritzker announces Illinois’ plans for USA’s 250th anniversary
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says the state will be spending taxpayer money, and he wishes it could spend...
