The roles below require you to be a regular volunteer. If you hope to volunteer repeatedly for a duration of at least 6 months, and we offer a task you would like to commit to, complete a volunteer application. Please note that our need for volunteers changes. Not all opportunities may be listed and some opportunities might not need additional volunteers.

• Invasive Plant Removal: Volunteers help improve our natural areas by removing select invasive plants under the direction of Natural Resources Staff.  These volunteers help independently on their own schedule, at occasional staff-led events, or with a small group.  Anyone may attend the staff-led stewardship events without applying and prospective volunteers should consider that first if you have not done this before. This is done year-round and at all Forest Preserves.
• Trail Stewarding: This is appropriate for volunteers who plan to steward for at least a year. Stewards visit their assigned trail about every other week, collect trash and debris, note safety issues, possibly trim encroaching woody plants or remove invasive plants, and report on the visit to staff.  This is done independently on your own schedule. This is done year-round and at all Forest Preserves.
• Helping with Programs and Events:  Program volunteers support staff by hosting at activity, craft or learning stations, following on walks, greeting visitors or as needed.  Staff provide the activity and training. These volunteers have the flexibility to choose what they want to help with but commit to the shifts they sign up for. This is done year-round and at all Forest Preserves.
• Gardening: Help in our Native Garden near Headquarters or our main Botanical Garden at Lake of the Woods.  Volunteers must be available on weekday mornings. This is generally available April through September.
• Community Science: Current projects are Frog Call Monitoring (spring and summer), Nest Box Monitoring (spring and summer) and Bat Acoustic Monitoring (summer and fall).  If we don’t offer a community science opportunity that interests you, you might find something with external organizations at this link.
• Outreach or Welcome Host.  Outgoing volunteers who enjoy interacting with people will greet the public and provide information to them about the Forest Preserves.  Volunteers must be available on weekends. This is generally only available May through October.
• Supporting our Foundation as a board or committee member: This is for volunteers who can make a commitment of a couple of years.