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 14
75° 54°
Sunny
Latest News Stories
Bo and Luke Would be Proud: Track Jump Turns into Tavern Stop in Peotone
By Andrea Arens Somewhere, the Duke boys are slow-clapping. At approximately 2:29 a.m. on Valentine’s Day, a Peotone police officer patrolling near East North and Railroad Streets discovered what can...
Land Use Committee: ‘Clean Fill’ Proposal Stalls After Unauthorized Tree Removal Sparks Environmental Concerns
Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | February 5, 2026 Article Summary: A request to rezone land for a "clean fill" operation in Joliet Township stalled in committee...
Physicians assistants leave for Iowa due to licensing wait times in Illinois
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State lawmakers say physician assistants are leaving for Iowa because it takes so long to get licensed...
Illinois quick hits: Chicago debt deal pushes payments down road
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Chicago debt deal pushes payments down road Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is reportedly structuring the city’s debt with a deal that...
Republican candidates for governor, U.S. Senate discuss energy, SCOTUS
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Candidates vying for the Republican nomination to take on Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker lay out how they’d...
Illinois Quick Hits: Indiana governor signs Bears stadium bill
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago Bears say they are grateful for the leadership shown by Indiana Gov. Mike Braun after...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Planning and Zoning Commission for February 17, 2026
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | February 17, 2026 JOLIET, IL – The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission met on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, with Acting Chairman John...
Ad-Hoc Committee: Liquor Ordinance Stalls Over Drafting Errors; Debates License Cap Policy
Will County Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee Meeting | February 10, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee postponed a vote on the comprehensive update to the...
Board Approves New Chief of Staff and Dean Roles; Trustees Clash Over Hiring Transparency
Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees Meeting | February 18, 2026 Article Summary: The JJC Board approved the appointments of a new Chief of Staff and a Dean of Workforce...
Green Garden Township Residents Threaten Incorporation to Block 6,000-Acre Solar Farm
Will County Executive Committee Meeting | February 11, 2026 Article Summary: Residents of Green Garden Township warned county officials they are moving to incorporate as a village to gain zoning...
Microsoft hit with IL biometric class action over Teams call transcriptions
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Microsoft has been hit with a class action lawsuit under Illinois' stringent biometrics privacy law, potentially worth many millions or even hundreds...
Amended Bears megaproject bill could have major impact on property tax payers
By Jon Styf | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) - An Illinois megaproject bill about a new Chicago Bears stadium project passed through a House committee Thursday,...
Illinois Quick Hits: Police report drop in homicide rates in East St. Louis
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State officials are crediting the Public Safety Enforcement Group for East St. Louis reporting its lowest number...
