If you’ve been looking for something fun to do and a way to give back to the community, consider signing up for a Volunteer Morning program. 

The program schedule from April through June has been released and registration is open. 

Volunteer Morning programs are located throughout Will County. So, you can sign up for something close to home or travel to an area that may be new to you in an effort to help enhance Will County's natural resources. 

Volunteers will work with the Forest Preserve District’s conservation department staff from 9 a.m. to noon, unless otherwise noted in the program listing below. The programs are recommended for ages 10 or older, unless specifically listed. 

Participants younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Please wear sturdy shoes and clothes that can get dirty or smoky. Bring water and snacks. To get started, complete an online waiver. For questions, contact volunteer services supervisor Emily Kenny at 815-722-7364 or [email protected]. 

Here are the upcoming Volunteer Morning programs: 

• Tuesday, April 18: Romeoville Prairie Nature Preserve, Romeoville. Brush control. 
• Saturday, April 22: Riverview Farmstead Preserve, Naperville. Held in conjunction with Earth Day. 
• Tuesday, April 25: Messenger Woods Nature Preserve, Homer Township. Invasive weed control. All ages welcome. 
• Sunday, April 30: Rock Run Preserve – Black Road Access, Joliet. Brush control and participation in the City Nature Challenge, in which participants will be taking photos of flora and fauna to record on iNaturalist. 
• Sunday, May 7: Hickory Creek Preserve – LaPorte Road Access, Mokena. Brush control. 
• Thursday, May 11: Messenger Woods Nature Preserve, Homer Township. Invasive weed control; all ages welcome. 
• Saturday, May 13: Hidden Oaks Preserve, Bolingbrook. Invasive weed control; all ages welcome. 
• Tuesday, May 23: Hammel Woods – Route 59 Access, Shorewood. Brush control and/or invasive weed control. 
• Thursday, May 25: Hadley Valley – Gougar Road Access, Joliet. Brush control. 
• Sunday, June 4: 8-11 a.m. at Riverview Farmstead Preserve, Naperville. Brush control. 
• Saturday, June 10: 8-11 a.m. at Sugar Creek Preserve, Joliet. Brush control and/or invasive weed control. 
• Tuesday, June 13: 8-11 a.m. at Monee Reservoir, Monee Township. Brush control and/or invasive weed control. 
• Sunday, June 25: 8-11 a.m. at Rock Run Rookery Preserve, Joliet. Brush control and litter pickup. 
• Tuesday, June 27: 8-11 a.m. at Rock Run Preserve – Black Road Access, Joliet. Invasive weed control.

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