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 Jul 21
74° 54°
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Accounting analyst: SEC should examine Illinois pension funding
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois is less tardy than usual with its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for fiscal year 2025, but...
Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago man arrested in connection with planned attack at White House
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Chicago man has been arrested in connection with a planned attack that allegedly targeted the Ultimate...
Costar shareholders re-elect directors, resist external pressure
By Tom JoyceThe Center Square CoStar shareholders overwhelmingly backed the company’s board and chief executive after months of pressure from activist investors. CoStar Group Inc. said shareholders reelected every director...
Trump accuses Iran of violating ceasefire after drone attack on cargo ship
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Two weeks after the U.S. and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding, agreeing to enter a 60-day ceasefire, President Donald Trump is accusing the Islamic...
Legislature takes more measures against firms opposing redomiciling in Texas
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Texas lawmakers are taking additional measures against proxy advisory firms that oppose companies redomiciling to Texas as Dell shareholders approved redomiciling to Texas from Delaware...
Mistrial declared in federal Palisades Fire arson case
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square A mistrial was declared Friday morning in the federal arson trial of Jonathan Rinderknecht, charged with starting what became the Palisades Fire, one of Los...
Attorney: Supreme Court leaves path for property owners
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square A Pacific Legal Foundation attorney said the U.S. Supreme Court's latest ruling on a Michigan property seizure case is a disappointment for property owners but...
Ex-cops blast Chicago mayor’s new agency
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is not saying exactly how much taxpayers will pay for his new Office...
Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago reports increased visitor spending
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago’s destination marketing organization says the city welcomed 56.8 million visitors in 2025 and generated a record-setting...
Federalist Society panel takes on third-party lawsuit financing
By Jay Brown | Legal NewslineThe Center Square The pros and cons of the multibillion-dollar financing industry that has ignited the growth of mass tort litigation was the focus of...
Illinois to see 4 new consumer protection laws enacted
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker was joined by state lawmakers and other officials Thursday to sign a four-bill...
Illinois SNAP error rate rises; Pritzker blames Trump
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois now has the fifth-highest error rate in the nation for improper payments to recipients of federal...
Chicago video gambling hearing abruptly ends in debate, disarray
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A public meeting Wednesday on the state of legal gambling in Chicago was brought to an abrupt...
