Pilcher Workday – Will County

PILCHER PARK nature center 2501 Highland Park Dr`, Joliet, Illinois, United States

Join the party at Pilcher! Volunteers will collect seeds of wildflowers to spread next year. We’ll also walk and talk about the ecological significance of this beautiful site as we build this new community. Email matt.evans2017@gmail.com with questions or to RSVP.

Old Plank Road Prairie Work Eco-Restoration Day – Cook County

21800 Central Ave, Matteson, IL

The spirit and energy of the community gather at the ancient prairie.Meet at the South Suburban Humane Society at 9 AM. Remember to bring water and a snack for our break. As always, please RSVP to oprprairies@friendsilnature.org. Contact us with questions at oprpprairies@friendsilnature.org

Superior Street Prairie Workday – Cook County

41°36'29.7"N 87°32'56.4"W

Help save the precious savanna and prairie at Superior Street Prairie! Join us for seed collecting as we prepare for brush cutting season. Meet in the ComEd parking lot east of Campbell Ave on Michigan City Rd. Come dressed for the wilderness: long pants, sturdy shoes, and weather-appropriate clothes. Bring water, sunscreen, and a snack … Continue reading Superior Street Prairie Workday – Cook County

Yorkville Prairie Work Eco-Restoration Day – Kendall County

7350 Sundown Ln, Yorkville, IL 60560, USA

Lend a Hand! Join the community working to restore this IDNR-owned site at Yorkville Prairie, located adjacent to Saw Wee Kee Park,from 9am-12pm. Bring your work gloves and meet at the entrance to Saw Wee Kee Park at 9am. Tools will be provided. Contact Chris with questions at 630.554.4439 or chanley@oswegolandpd.org.

Middlefork Savanna Workday – Lake County

Middlefork Savanna Forest Preserve, 1401 Middlefork Dr, Lake Forest, IL 60045, USA

Join the magic at Middlefork! Volunteers will collect seeds of spring wildflowers as they are ripe and scout for invasive species for treatment.  We'll also walk and talk about the ecological significance of this beautiful site and enjoy the rare plants!RSVP and questions directed to middleforksavannavolunteers@gmail.com

Langham Island Workday – Kankakee County

Island view parking lot, Bourbonnais, IL 60914, USA

Restore ecological health to the island of rare plants!  Participate in eco-restoration volunteering year-round on Langham Island, on Thursdays and Saturdays of alternating weeks.  Whenever the river is not passable, we work at our alternate site, a sand savanna within Kankakee River State Park, a walking distance from Parking Area A (Archery Range).We ask that you … Continue reading Langham Island Workday – Kankakee County

Shaw Prairie Day – Lake County

Skokie River Nature Preserve, Skokie Hwy, Lake Forest, IL 60045, USA

Immerse yourself in the beauty of local nature and welcome fall with a volunteer opportunity to work on one of the finest prairies in Illinois, Shaw Prairie. Join us at Skokie River Nature Preserve in Lake Forest on Saturday, October 7th at 10:00 AM to learn about restoration of this high quality ecological site with … Continue reading Shaw Prairie Day – Lake County

Peregrines Workday at Shaw Prairie Day – Lake County

Skokie River Nature Preserve, Skokie Hwy, Lake Forest, IL 60045, USA

Join the Peregrines, a community of volunteer restorationists in their 20s and 30s that visit a different nature preserve each week, at Shaw Prairie, for the Shaw Prairie Day celebration. Park at the west end of Laurel Ave.  Activities will include brush cutting and burning of invasive woody plants as well as plant identification and … Continue reading Peregrines Workday at Shaw Prairie Day – Lake County

Langham Island Workday – Kankakee County

Island view parking lot, Bourbonnais, IL 60914, USA

Restore ecological health to the island of rare plants!  Participate in eco-restoration volunteering year-round on Langham Island, on Thursdays and Saturdays of alternating weeks.  Whenever the river is not passable, we work at our alternate site, a sand savanna within Kankakee River State Park, a walking distance from Parking Area A (Archery Range).We ask that you … Continue reading Langham Island Workday – Kankakee County

Shaw Woods & Prairie Workday – Lake County

Skokie River Nature Preserve, Skokie Hwy, Lake Forest, IL 60045, USA

Join the community of stewards learning and working at Shaw Woods & Prairies. Park at the west end of Laurel Ave.  Visit https://www.shawprairiestewards.com/ for more information about the Shaw Prairie Stewards. Email shawcommunity@friendsilnature.org to RSVP or with Questions.

Things to know before you come:

  • If you are not fully vaccinated, wear a mask if unable to social distance from others at the site.
  • Bring water and a snack. Dress for the wilderness – this should include sturdy boots or shoes, a hat, bug spray, and sunscreen. Long pants and a long sleeve shirt are suggested.
  • We work hard, but at our own pace, and we often take breaks to share snacks and share ideas and nature with each other.

If you are attending a workday at a nature preserve owned by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, please complete and bring the IDNR Volunteer Waiver to the workday when you attend.

If you have any questions, please contact Amy at 779-212-2785 or amy@friendsilnature.org