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.”
Thu Jun 4
83° 66°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Latest News Stories
$45M included in budget for previously unfunded property tax relief
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Included in the recently passed state budget, the Illinois State Board of Education will get money for...
Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker signs two bills
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed two new laws into effect. House Bill 4154 changes pharmacy licensure provisions...
Judge says federal rule blocks Illinois from banning ‘swipe fees’
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Federal law blocks the state of Illinois from prohibiting both banks from outside Illinois and payment card servicers, like Visa and Mastercard,...
Pritzker touts state spending to cover federal cuts in passed budget
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Just hours after the state’s General Assembly wrapped its spring session, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker appeared along...
Illinois lawmakers give raises to diversity commissioners they criticized
By Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) -- State lawmakers failed to reform the Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion this legislative session despite bipartisan...
Taxpayer risk cited after Bears stadium bill stalls
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Bears stadium legislation is stalled after questions arose about a potentially unpopular tax structure and financial...
Illinois Quick Hits: General Assembly approves CTE bill
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A bill offering career technical education classes as an alternative to Illinois’ foreign language mandate is headed...
Amended scooter, e-bike bill heads to governor
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois General Assembly has passed a bill to regulate e-bikes, scooters and other micromobility devices, but...
Property tax-free Bears deal fails to pass
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois legislative session has ended with no stadium deal for the Chicago Bears. House Bill 958...
Bill to let felons vote from prison draws criticism from Republicans
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Some Democrats and electoral rights groups want progress on legislation in Springfield that would give people in...
Supreme Court yet to decide high profile cases
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Birthright citizenship, transgender athletes in female sports and federal firing powers are among more than two dozen cases yet to be decided by the U.S....
Government spending on seniors’ benefits soon to make up majority of federal budget
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square More than half of the federal budget will go toward benefits for Americans 65 years and older by 2036, and that percentage is set to...
Illinois Dems seek to expand post-release convict support, housing
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Lawmakers in Springfield are pushing to pass legislation to provide people recently released from prison with housing,...
