—Photo by Glenn P. Knoblock
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 9
88° 70°
Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Latest News Stories
WATCH: U.S. Rep. Miller live; Heated rhetoric in Congress; SNAP, ‘basic income’ debate
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 talks live with...
Solution Found to Revive Broken Junior High Digital Sign
Beecher School Board Facilities Committee Meeting | November 24, 2025 Article Summary: The Facilities Committee received a report detailing a cost-effective solution to retrofit the non-functional digital sign at Beecher...
Beecher Sets Schedule for Parade of Lights and Holiday Contests
Village of Beecher Meeting | November 24, 2025 Article Summary: The Beecher Village Board finalized the schedule for the upcoming Parade of Lights and the Holiday Lights Decorating Contest. Holiday...
“Cheaper to Go Up”: Beecher Schools Discuss Vertical Expansion Concepts
Beecher School Board Facilities Committee Meeting | November 24, 2025 Article Summary: Facing potential future enrollment growth and high land costs, the Beecher School Board Facilities Committee discussed conceptual plans...
Weather Delays Force Extension of Leaf Collection in Beecher
Village of Beecher Meeting | November 24, 2025 Article Summary: The Village of Beecher is extending its annual leaf collection program through mid-December due to recent snow and rain delays....
Beecher Digs Out from 12.4 Inches of Snow; Sub-Zero Cold Forecast for Friday
Article Summary: Beecher residents are clearing more than a foot of snow following a major weekend storm, while forecasters warn of a dangerous drop in temperatures and additional snowfall arriving...
Illinois rejects federal ‘no tax on tips’ rule, keeps state tax on tipped income
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois is not adopting the new federal “no tax on tips” provision, meaning tipped workers in...
Contractors Clash on Cause of Elementary School Leaks; Committee Weighs Window Replacement
Beecher School Board Facilities Committee Meeting | November 24, 2025 Article Summary: The Beecher School District 200-U Facilities Committee reviewed proposals for replacing windows at the Elementary School but paused...
Frankfort Turns to County for Wildlife & Dangerous Animal Control
Will County Board Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: The Village of Frankfort has entered into a two-year agreement with Will County Animal Protection Services to handle calls regarding bats...
JJC Foundation Director Kristin Mulvey to Retire After 25 Years of Transformative Leadership
Joliet Junior College Meeting | November 12, 2025 Article Summary:Kristin Mulvey, the longtime Executive Director of Institutional Advancement and the JJC Foundation, was honored by the Board of Trustees as...
Attack foiled in Ft. Worth day before National Guard troops shot in WDC
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Another Afghan-related terrorist attack was foiled one day before two National Guardsmen were shot in Washington, D.C., federal authorites said Saturday. The alleged perpetrators were...
Hundreds of flights canceled in Chicago as winter storm wreaks havoc
By Dan McCaleb | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – More than 1,000 flights were canceled or delayed at Chicago's airports Saturday as a winter storm threatened...
WATCH: IL legislator wants more transparency for taxpayer funded credit cards
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Democratic state legislator is looking to require more transparency for how local governments in Illinois use...
Beecher Officials Review Recreational Fire Rules Following Smoke Complaints
Village of Beecher Meeting | November 24, 2025 Article Summary: Beecher Village President Marcy Meyer initiated a discussion regarding potential updates to the village's recreational fire ordinance following resident complaints...
