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.”
Fri Jun 5
85° 64°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Latest News Stories
WATCH: Civil rights curriculum aims to shape future leaders
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square It was the winter of 1962. Demonstrators in Birmingham, Alabama, came to see Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for his support in organizing a protest...
Illinois officials say Bears still may stay despite team statement
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Although the Chicago Bears say the team’s board of directors moved to advance plans for a stadium...
More than 60% of Minnesota high-risk Medicaid providers fail review
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Nearly two-thirds of Minnesota's high-risk Medicaid providers have had taxpayer funding paused following a federally-mandated review process that state officials say was necessary to protect...
Senate sends $70B bill funding ICE, border patrol to vacant House
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square U.S. Senate Republicans finally passed their roughly $70 billion immigration enforcement funding bill after an 18-hour vote-a-rama that ended early Friday morning. The 52-47 final...
Chicago Bears to advance stadium project in Indiana
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago Bears are moving forward with plans to build a stadium in Northwest Indiana. Bears Chairman...
Greer, Carr commended for seeking fairness in EU treatment of US tech firms
By Tate RosentreterThe Center Square Public Policy Solutions sent a letter Friday to United States Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer and Federal Communications Commission chairman Brendan Carr commending both men...
Illinois quick hits: Pritzker pauses data center tax credits
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Pritzker pauses data center tax credits Gov. J.B. Pritzker has ordered the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to pause...
U.S. adds 172k jobs in ‘strong’ May report, unemployment remains at 4.3%
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. economy added 172,000 jobs in May's better-than-expected report while the unemployment rate remained at 4.3%, according to data released Friday by the U.S....
Researchers put a number on how much debt U.S. can carry
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The United States has about 20 years to change course on its national debt before it reaches the estimated limits of its debt capacity, according...
Colorado governor vetoes legislation allowing ICE to be sued
By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Colorado Gov. Jared Polis vetoed a Democrat-backed bill on Wednesday that would have allowed citizens to sue immigration enforcement officers for civil rights violations. The...
Ballots processed slowly as Californians await 36-day count
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square It will be more than a month before Californians see the official results from Tuesday's primary. That is especially the case in the races for...
WATCH: WA mayor stands by pro-ICE, anti-Antifa proclamations
By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square The city of Battle Ground has been getting more attention this week than the small southwest Washington community typically receives, due to national coverage of...
U.S. House narrowly passes bill to fund USDA, FDA in 2027
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Less than four months before fiscal year 2027 begins, the U.S. House passed the second of the 12 annual appropriations bills that will fund the...
