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.”
Tue Jun 9
91° 72°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Latest News Stories
Federal officials confirm case of New World screwworm
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Federal officials confirmed a human case of New World screwworm on Tuesday and said the government will be monitoring livestock in response to the threat....
Colorado committed to increasing housing supply
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Colorado remains committed to building more homes to address the ongoing housing crisis. Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, joined state legislators in making that commitment....
Stock market weathers Fed governor’s attempted firing well
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Tuesday’s stock market remained little changed from Monday, despite President Donald Trump’s attempted termination of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook on Monday evening. The major...
WATCH: Police officer, legislator: Seize opportunity to reform Illinois’ cashless bail
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Republicans want to change the state's no-cash bail law. Democrats say cashless bail is working. President...
Trump proposes returning death penalty to D.C.
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Capital punishment could be returning to Washington, D.C., as President Donald Trump announced during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. “Anybody murders in the capital? Capital...
WATCH: IL Hospital Association: $50B rural hospital fund ‘woefully inadequate’
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker continues sounding the alarm over federal health care subsidies as the White House...
Arizona, Nevada pay less at the pump than California
By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square Gas prices in Arizona and Nevada are cheaper than in California for several reasons, according to American Automobile Association spokesperson John Treanor. Factors vary from...
EEOC celebrates 200 days of protecting religious freedom under Trump
By Tate MillerThe Center Square The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is celebrating the ways they’ve protected religious freedom in the workplace over Trump’s past 200 days in office. “These efforts...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board for August 21, 2025
The Will County Board received County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant’s proposed $791 million budget for fiscal year 2026, which holds the line on the property tax levy while funding key services....
U.S. mining operations discarding rare minerals at center of trade talks
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square U.S. mining operations are discarding valuable minerals needed for everything from electric vehicles to missile defense systems that could reduce U.S. dependence on foreign nations....
Duffy warns states to enforce English proficiency requirements for truckers
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square California, New Mexico and Washington could risk losing federal funding if they fail to enforce English language proficiency requirements for commercial motor vehicle drivers, U.S....
Illinois quick hits: Chicago businesses at 10-year low; school admin survey closes soon
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Chicago businesses at 10-year low The number of businesses operating in Chicago has reached a 10-year low. Citing city license data,...
Pritzker unveils Illinois LGBTQ hotline amid debate over transgender athletes
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Reports of a transgender student being accepted onto the Conant High School girls volleyball team has...
