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° 55°
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Political heavyweights look toward November in Silver State
By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Some of Nevada's biggest candidates, fresh off primary election victories, have already turned their attention to the general election in November. The state's primary on...
Two Republicans to face off in redrawn California district
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Two Republican candidates are projected to head off to a general election in a congressional district that was redrawn to favor Democrats. California’s 40th Congressional...
Poll: Majority of voters support diplomacy with Iran as Trump claims deal struck
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square A majority of American voters support President Donald Trump’s push for diplomacy to bring about an end to the conflict with Iran, according to the...
Illinois Quick Hits: Tornadoes, storms cause damage, outages
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The National Weather Service will be conducting storm surveys in the wake of severe storms that impacted...
Another Guatemalan smuggling ring busted, this time in Ohio
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Another Guatemalan human smuggling ring has been busted, this time in Ohio. In this case, three Guatemalan nationals, all illegally in the country, were indicted...
DOJ: More than 475k children trafficked to US under Biden, 300k unaccounted for
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche dropped a bombshell of data on Thursday describing Trump administration efforts to find hundreds of thousands of missing unaccompanied...
East-Mediterranean ‘commerce-over-conflict’ energy partnership launches in Houston
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square A new U.S.-Eastern Mediterranean energy “3+1 partnership” has launched among the U.S., Greece, Cyprus and Israel to establish energy security, peace and stability in the...
Feds suspend funding to Los Angeles homelessness agency
By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square A federal agency suspended taxpayer funding to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority on Thursday, effective immediately. A letter was sent to the city of...
Gov. Josh Shapiro talks tariffs and Canadian sovereignty in trip to Ontario
By John ColeThe Center Square Gov. Josh Shapiro met with Ontario Premier Doug Ford in Toronto on Wednesday to sign an agreement aimed at strengthening the economic relationship between the...
Cook County offers loans after latest tax bill delays
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The latest delay in property tax billing by Cook County is expected to cost local governments. Cook...
Trump taps Jay Clayton as new DNI, too late to salvage FISA vote
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square In a move meant to pacify congressional Democrats and unstick Republican policy priorities, President Donald Trump has named U.S. attorney Jay Clayton as the next...
Rollins defends tax policies, calls for domestic fertilizer
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Brooke Rollins, secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, on Thursday defended tax policies to support farmers and called for more domestic manufacturing of fertilizer...
POLL: Voter inflation concern hits record high as prices keep climbing
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Voter concern about inflation and prices has surged to its highest level since The Center Square began tracking the issue. According to The Center Square...
