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.”
Fri Jun 5
86° 65°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Latest News Stories
Future of Will County’s Cannabis Fund Debated Amid Budget Shortfall
Will County Board Finance Committee Meeting | October 21, 2025 Article Summary: As Will County officials look for ways to close an $8.9 million budget gap, a debate has emerged over...
Manhattan Fire District Earns Clean Audit, Hires Investment Manager
Manhattan Fire Protection District Meeting | September 15, 2025 Article Summary: The Manhattan Fire Protection District received a clean bill of financial health with an "unmodified opinion" on its latest audit....
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Manhattan Village Board for October 21, 2025
Manhattan Village Board Meeting | October 21, 2025 The Manhattan Village Board on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, approved the annexation and preliminary plans for the 41-home Butternut Ridge South subdivision....
Will County Health Department Pleads for $1 Million to Avert ‘Weakened Public Health System’
Will County Board Finance Committee Meeting | October 21, 2025 Article Summary: Leaders and board members from the Will County Health Department made an impassioned plea for $1 million in county...
Manhattan Village Board Approves Water and Sewer Rate Hikes to Fund Future Infrastructure
Manhattan Village Board Meeting | October 21, 2025 Article Summary: Manhattan residents will see their water and sewer rates increase over the next several years after the Village Board approved...
Safety Upgrades Coming to Dangerous Route 50 and County Line Road Intersection
Manhattan Fire Protection District Meeting | September 15, 2025 Article Summary: Following a meeting between fire officials and state and county transportation leaders, safety improvements, including a four-way stop by the...
Manhattan Bans Retail Sale of Kratom, Citing Public Health and Addiction Risks
Manhattan Village Board Meeting | October 21, 2025 Article Summary: The Manhattan Village Board unanimously passed an ordinance prohibiting the sale, manufacture, and distribution of kratom, an herbal substance that...
Manhattan Fire District Approves $8.75 Million Bond Sale for New Fire Station
Manhattan Fire Protection District Meeting | September 15, 2025 Article Summary: The Manhattan Fire Protection District Board of Trustees has formally approved the sale of approximately $8.75 million in General Obligation...
Manhattan Approves Annexation for 41-Home Butternut Ridge South Subdivision
Manhattan Village Board Meeting | October 21, 2025 Article Summary: The Manhattan Village Board has approved the annexation, rezoning, and preliminary plat for a 41-home subdivision on a 20-acre parcel...
Manhattan Residents Voice Fears Over Traffic Safety, Water Use Amid Regional Growth
Manhattan Village Board Meeting | October 21, 2025 Article Summary: Following recent tragedies, residents delivered emotional pleas to the Manhattan Village Board, demanding action on truck traffic and speeding on...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 for October 16, 2025
LW210 Board of Education Meeting | October 16, 2025 The Lincoln-Way District 210 Board of Education meeting on Thursday, October 16, 2025, was dominated by news that the district's support...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Manhattan School District 114 for October 8, 2025
Manhattan School District 114 Board Meeting | October 8, 2025 The Manhattan School District 114 board meeting on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, featured extensive public testimony from parents detailing significant...
