Volunteer With Us

Protect natural places, support environmental education, preserve and share local history, connect with others, learn. You can find a worthwhile role in volunteering to help protect Champaign County's natural and cultural resources and to inspire people to care for, enjoy, and explore their natural world! No expereince necessary!

Who Can Volunteer?

You! The Champaign County Forest Preserves is striving to build a volunteer community that is representative of our diverse community. We're committed to breaking down barriers in order to provide equal accessibility to everyone in Champaign County regardless of ability, race, gender identity or age.

Opportunities

With seven different forest preserves, a museum, an interpretive center, a portion of a rail trail that has been converted into a recreational path, and over 4,000 acres of land, there are so many opportunities for volunteer participation. For some volunteer opportunites, the only requirement is that you come out! Check the Events Page or our Facebook Page for those types of opportunites.

For other opportunites such as Public Event volunteering, youth volunteers, service groups, and to become a regular volunteer, we'll need you to fill out an application and/or contact our volunteer coordinator.

Public Event Volunteer

Event Calendar

Regular Volunteer

Regular volunteers should plan to serve more than 10 hours a year.

Apply Today

Service Group Volunteer

Contact our Volunteer Coordinator to arrange a volunteer opportunity for service groups and Eagle Scouts.

Email Us

Youth Volunteer

Unaccompanied youth volunteers need to be at least 14, or 11 years old to be a Counselor In Training.

Learn more

Sign-up to receive the Volunteer E-newsletter

Stay in the know about volunteer events/opportunities, things happening around the forest preserves, our community, and educational offerings.

Sign up for the Volunteer Newsletter

Check our Events Page

Anyone and everyone is welcome to come out to our volunteer events listed on the events page! Be sure to check it out to see if there are any volunteer opportunities that float your boat.

Events Page

Become a Regular Volunteer

When your application has been reviewed, the volunteer coordinator will email you to discuss potential volunteer opportunities. Please note in the application if email is not a good method of communication. Fill out our application. (Be advised that it could be 2-4 weeks before hearing back, please sign up for the monthly newsletter to learn about volunteer opportunities).

Apply Today

Reporting Forms

Current volunteers, log in to record your hours, schedule yourself for an opportunity or to read the newsletter.

Volunteer Portal

Want More Information?

Contact the volunteer coordinator at [email protected] to learn more or discuss project ideas or get assistance if you are unable to apply online. You can also call the office (217) 586-3360.

Email Us

Volunteers Regularly Needed:

  • Museum and Historical Education
  • Natural History Education
  • Trail or Land Stewardship
  • Golf Course Stewardship
  • Gardening

Occasionally Needs Volunteers

  • Camps (Golf, Museum or Nature)
  • Citizen Science
  • Advisory Committees