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.”
Thu Jun 11
80° 61°
Sunny
Latest News Stories
Illinois quick hits: Officer shot report numbers down; Thanksgiving meal costs down
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Officer shot report numbers down The National Fraternal Order of Police reports, through Oct. 31, 285 police officers have been shot...
WATCH: Chicago activist testifies; Quinn’s millionaire surcharge; High SNAP error rate
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares highlights from...
GE Appliances announces $150 million partnerships
By Andrew Rice | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) - GE Appliances announced Thursday it is investing more than $150 million into contracts for suppliers in the...
Frankfort, Will County Partner on Wildlife Rabies Control
Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | November 13, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board Executive Committee recommended approval of an intergovernmental agreement on Thursday, November 13, 2025, that allows...
Executive Committee Approves Appointments for Washington Township, Emergency Telephone Boards
Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | November 13, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board Executive Committee on Thursday, November 13, 2025, recommended the approval of two key appointments, filling...
Mokena Board Shifts Credit Card Fees to Users to Protect General Fund
Mokena Village Board Meeting | November 10, 2025 Article Summary: The Mokena Village Board approved a new consumer pass-through model for credit card payments during its meeting on Monday, Nov....
Trump signs bill to release Epstein files
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump signed a bill late Wednesday to release federal files related to former financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. After fighting the...
WATCH: Dysolve AI offers approach to dyslexia in schools
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square While education leaders search for breakthroughs in special education, one AI platform, Dysolve, claims it has found part of the answer. Dysolve AI, created by...
Inventors back effort to tackle intellectual property thefts
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square A five-time world champion jump roper, Molly Metz of Louisville, Colorado, created a jump rope in the early 2000s to help her go faster and...
WATCH: Dems leave hearing before minority group’s testimony on Biden border policies
By Jim TalamontiThe Center Square A member of a minority grassroots Chicago organization testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary Wednesday that violent gang members in the U.S....
Illinois quick hits: ICC approves smaller rate increases
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square ICC approves smaller rate increases The Illinois Commerce Commission has approved smaller utility rate hikes than the ones requested by Ameren...
WATCH: Ex-Illinois governor pushes for ‘millionaire’s surcharge’ amendment
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The push continues to have voters if Illinois should be a 3% surcharge on millionaires. Former Illinois...
Lawmakers weigh replacing Obamacare tax credits with health savings accounts
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With millions of Americans’ health insurance premiums projected to rise in 2026, due partially to enhanced Obamacare subsidies expiring, Republicans are eyeing health savings accounts...
