If you are looking for a way to connect with people while giving back to your community, consider becoming a Forest Preserve District volunteer program assistant. 

Currently, the District needs volunteers for Fall on the Farm on Saturday, Sept. 14, at Riverview Farmstead Preserve in Naperville and Pelican Party on Saturday, Sept. 28, at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon. 

While some volunteers work in the preserves removing invasive species or collecting seed, this different category of volunteers pitches in by helping out at programs and events.  

“Taking on a program assistant assignment can help make preserve event experiences more memorable for visitors,” said Emily Kenny, the Forest Preserve’s volunteer services coordinator. “They can give individuals and families extra attention, help resolve issues, and reduce wait times for program supplies.”

Kenny said depending on the program or event, volunteers may be asked to facilitate activity, keep a group together on hikes, maintain a campfire, help with set up and clean up, refill consumable supplies, give directions to program stations around a preserve and more.

“Sometimes, specialized skills are needed but many positions can be filled by people 16 years or older who are looking for community service or just want to give back to their community,” Kenny said. 

While bigger events need more volunteers, most programs and smaller events need only a few. Museum Campus Days at Isle a la Cache, fishing derbies, campouts, night hikes, and the WonderKids program are examples of programs that only need a few volunteers to assist.

To see a list of current volunteer needs, email [email protected] and an autoreply message will list available volunteer opportunities. 

“The email message also contains the link for how to request an assignment using an online waiver,” Kenny said. “For people who would like to volunteer over the next several years, there is also an application to become a Prairie People Volunteer.”