Shaw Woods & Prairie Workday – Lake County

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

It's that time of the year again when we can barely keep up with all the seeds that need to be collected. So, we are holding weekday workdays every other Thursday at 5:00 pm just to collect seeds. As usual, we'll meet at the parking lot on Laurel Avenue and make our way to the best places … Continue reading Shaw Woods & Prairie Workday – Lake County

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

Kishwaukee Fen Workday – McHenry County

Palmer Dr, Village of Lakewood, IL 60014, USA

Join in the joyful care of this beautiful site.No experience necessary! We learn through actively taking part in this important work. Lovers of nature, lovers of life, lovers of learning, and the curious-minded -- all are welcome! Share this with anyone you think might be interested. We'll meet at the end of Palmer Drive in the … Continue reading Kishwaukee Fen Workday – McHenry County

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

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 native plants 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!Seeds & Sunset provides a new perspective, let us enjoy sunset, and (usually) avoid the … Continue reading Middlefork Savanna Workday – 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.

Volo Bog Kickoff – Lake County

Volo Bog 9R36+3J, Ingleside, Illinois, United States

Breathtaking and unique, Volo Bog is protected for its habitat and numerous rare and endangered species–including calla lilies, pitcher plants, and star flowers. But it needs your help. Many of these rare species are in decline, and brush and invasive species threaten to crowd them out. Volo Bog eagerly awaits new friends in an active … Continue reading Volo Bog Kickoff – Lake County

Peregrines Workday at Montrose Dunes – Cook County

Kayak Chicago Montrose Beach, 200 W Montrose Harbor Dr, Chicago, IL 60640, USA

Join the Peregrines, a community of volunteer restorationists in their 20s and 30s that visit a different nature preserve each week, at Montrose Dunes. Expect to control invading brush and other malignant plants!Meet at the by the dunes behind the bird sanctuary. Street parking nearby is available.Bring water, sunscreen, bug spray, boots, long pants, clothes … Continue reading Peregrines Workday at Montrose Dunes – Cook County

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