Volunteer Mornings offer summer opportunities to help Will County preserves

The Forest Preserve District is offering plenty of opportunities this summer to help improve the environment with its Volunteer Morning lineup.

Programs will be offered on multiple dates from July through September. If you've volunteered in the past, feel free to jump back in. If you haven't volunteered before, give it a try. It's a wonderful way to meet like-minded people and get some outdoor exercise while helping improve Will County's preserves.

Volunteer Morning activities vary by season. Summer projects include invasive weed removal, brush control and seed collection.

July

• Thursday, July 2: Monee Reservoir, Monee Township. 8-11 a.m. Invasive weed removal. Ages 10 and older.
• Tuesday, July 7: Vermont Cemetery Preserve, Naperville. 8-11 a.m. Invasive weed removal. Ages 10 and older.
• Saturday, July 11: Sugar Creek Preserve, Joliet. 8-11 a.m. Invasive weed removal. Ages 10 and older.
• Tuesday, July 21: Sand Ridge Savanna Nature Preserve, Custer Township. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Seed collection. Ages 8 and older.
• Sunday, July 26: Riverview Farmstead Preserve, Naperville. 8-11 a.m. Brush control. Ages 10 and older.

August

• Thursday, Aug. 6: Hammel Woods – DuPage River Access, Shorewood. 8-11 a.m. Brush control. Ages 10 and older.
• Tuesday, Aug. 11: Evans-Judge Preserve, Custer Township. 8-11 a.m. Brush control. Ages 10 and older.
• Saturday, Aug. 15: Monee Reservoir, Monee Township. 8-11 a.m. Brush control. Ages 10 and older.
• Tuesday, Aug. 25: Riverview Farmstead Preserve, Naperville. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Seed collection. Ages 8 and older.
• Sunday, Aug. 30: Braidwood Dunes and Savanna Nature Preserve, Reed Township. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Seed collection. Ages 8 and older.

September

• Thursday, Sept. 3: Sugar Creek Preserve, Joliet. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Seed collection. Ages 8 and older.
• Tuesday, Sept. 15: Raccoon Grove Nature Preserve, Monee Township. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Seed collection. Ages 8 and older.
• Saturday, Sept. 19: Prairie Bluff Preserve, Crest Hill. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Seed collection. Ages 8 and older.
• Sunday, Sept. 27: Hickory Creek Preserve – LaPorte Road Access, Mokena. 8 a.m.-noon. Brush control. Ages 10 and older. This Volunteer Morning is being held in conjunction with National Public Lands Day. 
• Tuesday, Sept. 29: Braidwood Dunes and Savanna Nature Preserve, Braidwood. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Seed collection. Ages 8 and older.

Space is limited for all events, so early registration is encouraged. To get started, complete a waiver online. For information, contact Emily Kenny at 815-722-7364 or [email protected].

Please wear clothing appropriate for the weather and for getting dirty. Bringing water and snacks is recommended. For more information on volunteering with the Forest Preserve District, visit the volunteer page at ReconnectWithNature.org.