—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.”
Tue Jul 21
72° 54°
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Millions under extreme heat warning for July 4th weekend
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square As Independence Day celebrations kick off, millions of Americans in much of the central and eastern United States are under extreme heat warnings. More than...
Trump to cut solar, wind subsidies on July 4th
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The Trump administration is set to cut subsidies for new solar and wind power projects on Saturday. Estimates suggest the subsidies have cost taxpayers more...
Arizona congressman seeks to boost military hazard pay
By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-Surprise, Ariz., recently introduced a bill to increase military hazard pay. The Combat Pay Protection Act would require Congress to increase...
Arizona congressman seeks to boost military hazard pay
By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-Surprise, Ariz., recently introduced a bill to increase military hazard pay. The Combat Pay Protection Act would require Congress to increase...
Report: Wisconsin’s $2.7B projected surplus the result of inflation
By Jon StyfThe Center Square Inflation led to roughly $2.7 billion more in Wisconsin sales tax collections over the past five years than was projected, the same amount that the...
AAA: Record July 4th travel expected as gas prices ease
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Drivers will get some relief at the pump this Independence Day weekend after months of high gas prices. With a record number of Americans expected...
AAA: Record July 4th travel expected as gas prices ease
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Drivers will get some relief at the pump this Independence Day weekend after months of high gas prices. With a record number of Americans expected...
A year after deadly floods: Foundation launches national parent pledge campaign
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The Safe Summers Foundation has launched a national parent pledge campaign approaching the one-year anniversary of the July 4 historic flood that swept through the...
A year after deadly floods: Foundation launches national parent pledge campaign
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The Safe Summers Foundation has launched a national parent pledge campaign approaching the one-year anniversary of the July 4 historic flood that swept through the...
Survey: Patriotism runs high as most Americans are achieving the American Dream
By Tate RosentreterThe Center Square A majority of U.S. adults say they are living the American Dream and are proud to be Americans, while negative sentiments toward AI’s effect on...
Colorado’s 50,187-acre fire tops U.S. firefighting priorities
By Robert MattesonThe Center Square A 50,187-acre wildfire in Colorado has been declared the nation's No. 1 firefighting priority. Spanning Pueblo and Custer counties, the Aspen Acres Fire is expected...
Polling: Texas’ U.S. Senate race statiscally tied
By B y Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The Republican Party will hold its first-ever midterm national convention in Dallas in September as Texas’ U.S. Senate race is statistically tied. Political...
Polling: Texas’ U.S. Senate race statiscally tied
By B y Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The Republican Party will hold its first-ever midterm national convention in Dallas in September as Texas’ U.S. Senate race is statistically tied. Political...
