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.”
Today Jun 8
85° 72°
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Late Errors Doom Peotone in 4-0 Loss to Manteno Despite Klawitter’s 16-Strikeout Gem
A classic pitchers' duel came unraveled in the final inning on Monday afternoon, as the Manteno varsity softball team plated four late runs to hand host Peotone a 4-0 conference...
Trump endorses Hilton in California gubernatorial primary
By Dave MasonThe Center Square President Donald Trump has endorsed former Fox News anchor Steve Hilton in California’s Republican gubernatorial primary. Trump picked Hilton over the other prominent GOP candidate...
Feds award $1M for Rose Bowl upgrade ahead of Olympics
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square The Rose Bowl is getting infrastructure upgrades ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics. Just over $1 million in federal funds will go toward water and...
Trump defends Section 122 in latest tariff legal challenge
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump's administration defended his newest 10% global entry tariffs against a legal challenge in a trade court. The administration said that Trump acted...
Education department rescinds Title IX resolution agreements
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights on Monday rescinded portions of multiple resolution agreements, alleging that previous administrations expanded the interpretation of...
Illinois gun owners plan rally in wake of Supreme Court order
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois State Rifle Association says gun owners have run out of options in a case challenging...
Artemis II mission breaks records Monday as astronauts observe far side of the moon
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The astronauts of the Artemis II NASA mission made history just before 2 p.m. Eastern Monday when they traveled farther in their Orion spacecraft from...
Illinois quick hits: Illinois House speaker’s son to attend private school; AFSCME workers set strike date at Illinois State University; IDOT urges public to avoid distracted driving
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Illinois House speaker's son to attend private school Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, says his son will attend a...
Federal-state showdown looms over regulation of prediction markets
By Brett Rowland and Jon Styf | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The federal government is telling states to back off attempts to regulate prediction markets...
No-knock warrant legislation brings Chicago victim, Illinois gun group together
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A diverse group of supporters are pushing to restrict no-knock search warrants in Illinois, but many law...
Trump promises ‘complete demolition’ in Iran as deadline looms
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square President Donald Trump promised "complete demolition" of Iran on Tuesday if the nation's leaders do not agree to a deal to reduce nuclear weapons development...
‘We leave no American behind’: President Trump details Easter rescue of downed airman
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The successful Easter rescue of the downed F-15 airman who went missing in Iran was “one of the largest, most complex, most harrowing” combat search...
Michigan charges dentist in alleged ‘massive’ Medicaid fraud scheme
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel continues pursuing fraud cases across the state, announcing charges against a Macomb County dentist in what prosecutors described as a...
