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 3
87° 66°
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Manhattan Police Report
Disclaimer: Charges against each defendant are merely an accusation, with all defendants presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. On July 31, 2025, at 1:49 P.M. officers...
Indiana Woman Identified as Victim in Fatal Wilmington-Peotone Road Crash
The Will County Coroner’s Office has officially identified the woman killed in Tuesday’s fatal crash on Wilmington-Peotone Road as 70-year-old Judith L. Stirm of Delphi, Indiana. In a statement, Coroner...
Multiple Agencies Rescue Person in Mental Health Crisis from Frankfort Pond
A person experiencing a mental health crisis was safely rescued from a pond near 80th Avenue in Lakeview Estates on Wednesday after a coordinated response by multiple emergency agencies. Frankfort...
Green Garden Township Forges Ahead with New Town Hall Plan, Faces Budget and Neighbor Concerns
The Green Garden Township Board is advancing an ambitious plan to build a new, larger town hall and community center on a six-acre parcel south of its current location, a...
IT Consultant Urges Green Garden Township to Adopt Modern Cybersecurity Measures
Green Garden Township’s digital infrastructure is vulnerable to cybercrime and requires an immediate overhaul, including adopting a modern, secure email system and multifactor authentication, an IT consultant told the board...
Sanchez Family Unveils Major Redevelopment Plan for Monee Industrial Property
Article Summary: Developer Luis Sanchez, a key figure in Monee's commercial growth for two decades, presented a plan to revitalize an industrial property on Industrial Drive. The project, which includes...
Monee Approves Over $566,000 Payment for New Public Works Facility Nearing Completion
Article Summary: The Monee Village Board approved a payment of $566,134.16 for the ongoing construction of its new Public Works building. Officials reported the project is on track for a...
Sheepdog Firearms Gets Green Light for Special Use Permit in Monee
Article Summary: Sheepdog Firearms received final approval from the Monee Village Board for a special use permit to operate a retail and firearms range facility at 25812 S. Sunset Drive....
New Lenox Prepares for Grand Opening of Wintrust Crossroads Sports Complex
NEW LENOX – After months of anticipation and intensive work, the New Lenox Community Park District is making final preparations for the grand opening of its flagship Wintrust Crossroads Sports...
New Lenox D122 Board Approves Tentative Budget, Sets September Public Hearing
The New Lenox School District 122 Board of Education has approved a tentative budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, maintaining its long-standing practice of balanced budgets funded by existing cash...
New Lenox Township Food Pantry Reports Record Demand in May
NEW LENOX – The New Lenox Township Food Pantry experienced a record level of need in May, serving 431 families and 1,107 individuals, according to a report at the June...
New Lenox to Dedicate Street Honoring Pope Leo XIV, Citing Deep Local Ties
NEW LENOX – The Village of New Lenox is celebrating its unique connection to the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, the first American to lead the Roman Catholic Church, by...
D122 Renews Insurance Policies for Nearly $490,000
The New Lenox School District 122 Board of Education has renewed its property/casualty and worker's compensation insurance policies for the 2025-2026 school year, with total costs amounting to nearly $490,000....
New Lenox Township Addresses Cemetery Needs, Appoints New Liaison
NEW LENOX – New Lenox Township is turning its attention to the care and potential expansion of its cemeteries, an effort that will be spearheaded by a newly elected trustee....
New Lenox Police Chief Louis Alessandrini Retires; Sgt. David Nykiel Promoted in Leadership Transition
NEW LENOX – The New Lenox Police Department is undergoing a significant leadership transition as Police Chief Louis Alessandrini retires after 20 years with the village, celebrated with an emotional...