Fall volunteer mornings offer hands-on habitat work across Will County

The fourth-quarter list of Volunteer Morning programs has been announced, and it contains a wide variety of dates and locations throughout Will County.

The habitat management opportunities listed below offer hands-on stewardship opportunities.

“Space is limited for all events, so early registration is encouraged,” said Emily Kenny, volunteer services supervisor. 

To get started, complete a waiver on a Volunteer Morning listing on the Event Calendar. 

Here are the fall Volunteer Morning programs: 

October

• Thursday, Oct. 8: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sand Ridge Savanna Nature Preserve, Custer Township. Seed collection. Ages 8 and older.
• Thursday, Oct. 15: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sand Ridge Savanna Nature Preserve. Seed collection. Ages 8 and older.
• Saturday, Oct. 24: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Raccoon Grove Nature Preserve, Monee Township. Seed collection. Ages 8 and older.
• Tuesday, Oct. 27: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sand Ridge Savanna Nature Preserve. Seed collection. Ages 8 and older.

November

• Thursday, Nov. 5: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Braidwood Dunes and Savanna Nature Preserve, Reed Township near Braidwood. Seed collection. Ages 8 and older.
• Sunday, Nov. 8: 9 a.m. to noon, Monee Reservoir, Monee Township. Brush control. Ages 10 and older.
• Sunday, Nov. 15: 9 a.m. to noon, Sugar Creek Preserve, Joliet. Brush control. Ages 10 and older.
• Saturday, Nov. 28: 9 a.m. to noon, Hickory Creek Preserve — LaPorte Road Access, Mokena. Work off the turkey. Brush control. Ages 10 and older.

December

• Saturday, Dec. 5: 9 a.m. to noon, Riverview Farmstead Preserve, Naperville. Brush control. Ages 10 and older.
• Tuesday, Dec. 8: 9 a.m. to noon, Hammel Woods — DuPage River Access, Shorewood. Brush control. Ages 10 and older.
• Sunday, Dec. 13: 9 a.m. to noon, Hickory Creek Preserve — Hickory Creek Junction, Frankfort Township. Brush control. Ages 10 and older.
• Thursday, Dec. 17: 9 a.m. to noon, Rock Run Preserve — Paul V. Nichols Access, Joliet. Brush control. Ages 10 and older.

Volunteers should wear clothes appropriate for the weather and suitable for getting dirty and being near a fire during brush control events. Bringing water and snacks is recommended.

“Seasonal, large-scale events also need volunteers for a variety of roles,” Kenny said. 

For information on all volunteer opportunities, contact Kenny at 815-722-7364 or [email protected].

For more information on volunteering with the Forest Preserve District, visit the Volunteer Page.