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 4
82° 69°
Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Trump officials explain assassination attempt charges on alleged attacker
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Trump administration officials on Monday detailed charges against the suspected attacker of the White House Correspondents' Association's Dinner in Washington, D.C. Cole Tomas Allen faced...
Virginia Supreme Court questions redistricting process
By Shirleen GuerraThe Center Square Virginia Supreme Court justices zeroed in Monday on one question: Did lawmakers follow the rules when they put a redistricting amendment on the ballot? The...
Tillis affirms support of Warsh ahead of Wednesday vote
By Alan WootenThe Center Square Kevin Warsh’s path to succeed Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has the support of U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, the North Carolina Republican said multiple times...
Jack Daniel’s maker faces foreign takeover push
By Tom JoyceThe Center Square The company that makes one of America’s most popular whiskey brands is receiving interest from both foreign and domestic buyers. Louisville-based Brown-Forman, which makes Jack...
Pritzker pushes housing plan described as ‘all stick,’ no carrot
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker is pushing to prevent local communities from restricting housing development, but local leaders say...
Alleged attacker charged with attempted assassination of Trump
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The man accused of storming the White House Correspondents' Associations Dinner has been charged with the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump. Cole Tomas Allen...
Republican lawmakers say shooting proves need for Trump ballroom
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square In light of the Saturday shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, congressional Republicans are calling for an end to the Department of Homeland...
White House calls for DHS funding after correspondents incident
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The White House on Monday called on Congress to fund the U.S. Department of Homeland Security after shots were fired at the White House Correspondents'...
Report: $186 billion in federal payment errors likely an undercount
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Federal agencies made an estimated $186 billion in improper payments in fiscal year 2025, a $24 billion increase from the prior year, according to a...
Convenience store advocate: Swipe fee ruling is ‘one step’ in the process
By Jim TalamontiThe Center Square *The Center Square) – The federal government has moved to partially block an Illinois law banning electronic processing fees on the tax and tip portions...
Report: Sharp ideological divide in Minnesota congressional delegation
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square A new report analyzing congressional voting records shows a clear ideological divide between Minnesota’s Republican and Democratic delegations. In its idealogical rankings, the Institute for...
White House correspondents’ dinner shooter faces formal charges
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The California man accused of charging security and shooting a Secret Service officer at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner Saturday night will appear Monday...
Deferred maintenance blamed in I-64 bridge hole
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State transportation officials say repairs are underway after a large hole developed on an Interstate 64...
