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
68°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Calif. climate change lawsuits paused during SCOTUS review
By John O’Brien | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Lawsuits over climate change in California will be on hold while the U.S. Supreme Court decides whether they can be pursued. San...
U.S. will strike Iran infrastructure with no deal, Hegseth warns
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. military is prepared to strike Iran's energy infrastructure if it does not agree to a peace deal, War Secretary Pete Hegseth said on...
New North Carolina law, question on facts pivotal to Mosley appeal
By Alan WootenThe Center Square Action by North Carolina’s General Assembly has changed the timing for medical malpractice, and enough evidence to ask a jury to resolve contested facts favor...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Legislative Committee for April 7, 2026
Will County Board Legislative Committee Meeting | April 7, 2026 The Will County Board Legislative Committee met on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, to review a packed agenda of state and...
Illinois lawmakers grill diversity commission over lack of progress
By Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) -- State lawmakers expressed public, bipartisan concern again Wednesday over an Illinois commission's efforts to increase access to...
U.S. House vote on spy powers extension delayed due to bipartisan pushback
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is postponing a vote on a clean extension of the federal government’s electronic surveillance powers due to member pushback....
Auditors praise Trump anti-fraud healthcare proposal
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square A coalition of 14 state financial leaders across the country backed a Trump administration policy to reduce fraud in health-care systems. The group of state...
WATCH: Gun owners rally at Illinois Statehouse against more gun regulations
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois gun owners are pressing their legislators to oppose gun regulations and some elected officials are on...
GOP seeks probe of $180B in fraud with taxpayers’ money
By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square California’s Assembly Republican Caucus on Wednesday called for a special legislative session to investigate an estimated $180 billion in fraud in taxpayer-funded programs. “Fraud absolutely...
Bill advances to prevent local governments from clearing homeless camps
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State law may soon restrict local governments from clearing homeless encampments from parks and other public spaces....
Bonta’s anti-Exxon emails may have run afoul of CA corruption law: Claim
By Michael Carroll | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A Texas federal judge’s decision to allow ExxonMobil’s defamation lawsuit against California Attorney General Rob Bonta to move forward could ensnare Bonta...
Expulsion votes for two members of Congress could happen next week, Luna says
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Two more members of Congress may be forced to resign next week or face votes for their expulsion, U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Florida, says....
NAACP sues xAI over air pollution near Memphis data center
By Alton WallaceThe Center Square The NAACP filed a lawsuit in federal court Tuesday against Elon Musk’s xAI, saying the company is illegally operating 27 methane gas turbines in Mississippi...
