About
While new volunteers are welcome at any stewardship day, join us at a NEWTS day to have a little extra support in getting started. Learn how to remove invasive species or collect native seeds as we work together to restore the land to better health. Enjoy meeting people and being active outdoors, while you make a difference for nature. Beginners welcome!
Tools, gloves, and refreshments provided.
Youth under age 18 must be accompanied by a legal parent/guardian or attend with a chaperoned organized youth group (school, scouts, church).
All volunteers need to complete the volunteer agreement and waiver form in order to participate. For volunteers under age 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign the waiver and attend the workday. Be prepared for variable weather, uneven terrain, standing and/or walking for two or more hours, working near a fire, and hazardous insects and plants.
What to Expect
Stewardship volunteers help to restore natural habitat by performing seasonal restoration tasks. The work may include removing weeds and invasive vegetation, cutting and burning invasive woody plants, collecting and spreading native seed, and collecting trash. These tasks may incorporate the use of tools, including hand saws, loppers, pruning shears, trowels, shovels, rakes, and other hand tools (manual). All necessary tools, supplies, gloves, and training will be provided.
Safety
While we strive to create the safest environment possible, it is impossible to eliminate all potential hazards when working outside in nature. Volunteers are advised to wear long pants, sturdy closed-toe shoes and other seasonally appropriate clothing that can get dirty. Bring a water bottle. Hazards may include stinging or biting insects, poison ivy, walking on uneven terrain, a fire to burn cut brush, and inclement weather.
Shifts (15)
| Shift | Start Time | End Time | Address | Description | Registrants Needed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEWTS New Volunteer - Native Seed Nursery | 9:00am (CT) | 12:00pm (CT) | 500 Ogden Avenue Western Springs, Illinois 60558 | CENTRAL. Seed collecting at the Forest Preserves native seed nursery. | 8/20 | Register |
| Shift | Start Time | End Time | Address | Description | Registrants Needed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEWTS New Volunteer - Swallow Cliff Woods South | 9:00am (CT) | 12:00pm (CT) | M4JQ+M6 Palos Park, Illinois 60464 Swallow Cliff South parking lot - entrance is on the west side of La Grange Road, opposite 119th St in Palos Park | SOUTHWEST. Seed collecting at Swallow Cliff Woods-South. | 3/10 | Over |
| Shift | Start Time | End Time | Address | Description | Registrants Needed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEWTS New Volunteer - Beaubien Woods | 9:00am (CT) | 12:00pm (CT) | X6QP+8CR Chicago, Illinois W. Doty Ave S, across from Highway Exit Ramp. Look for Volunteer sign. | SOUTH. Seed collecting at Beaubien Woods. | 8/10 | Over |
| Shift | Start Time | End Time | Address | Description | Registrants Needed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEWTS New Volunteer - Salt Creek Resource Management | 10:00am (CT) | 12:00pm (CT) | 500 Ogden Avenue Western Springs, Illinois 60558 | CENTRAL. Seed collecting at Salt Creek Resource Management. | 19/20 | Over |
| Shift | Start Time | End Time | Address | Description | Registrants Needed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEWTS New Volunteer Stewardship Day - Whistler Woods | 9:00am (CT) | 12:00pm (CT) | J9J3+GP Riverdale, Illinois | Learn how to remove invasive shrubs with hand tools and place the wood in a brush pile fire. | 14/20 | Over |
| Shift | Start Time | End Time | Address | Description | Registrants Needed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEWTS New Volunteer Stewardship Day - Spring Creek | 9:00am (CT) | 12:00pm (CT) | 3R34+84C Hoffman Estates, Illinois Healy Savanna. Meet at Beverly Lake parking area off of Higgens Rd (Rte 72). | Learn how to remove invasive shrubs with hand tools and place the wood in a brush pile fire. | 23/25 | Over |
| Shift | Start Time | End Time | Address | Description | Registrants Needed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEWTS New Volunteer Stewardship Day - Lake Ave Woods West | 9:00am (CT) | 12:00pm (CT) | 34Q5+MP Northbrook, Illinois 60062 Meet at Lake Avenue Woods-West. Entrance is on N Des Plaines River Rd, north of W Lake Ave/E Euclid Ave. Look for volunteer signs. | Help pull garlic mustard, an invasive weed, so spring wildflowers can thrive. | 18/20 | Over |
| Shift | Start Time | End Time | Address | Description | Registrants Needed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEWTS New Volunteer - Kickapoo Woods & Prairie | 10:00am (CT) | 1:00pm (CT) | J9J4+68 Riverdale, Illinois Meet in the parking lot near the canoe launch path. Look for Volunteer signs. | SOUTH. Seed-collecting at Kickapoo Woods & Prairie. | 6/15 | Over |
| Shift | Start Time | End Time | Address | Description | Registrants Needed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEWTS New Volunteer - Cap Sauers Holdings | 9:00am (CT) | 12:00pm (CT) | M3FX+X8M Palos Park, Illinois Park at the former Forest Preserves watchman's house on Ford Road, about 0.9 miles north then west of the intersection of McCarthy Road and Wolf Road. Drive north on Wolf Road - Turn left 0.2 mile ahead at stop sign onto Ford Road. Drive west/northwest another 0.7 mi.; Driveway will be on left. Look for Volunteer sign at entrance. | SOUTHWEST. Seed-collecting at Cap Sauers Holdings. | 10/15 | Over |
| Shift | Start Time | End Time | Address | Description | Registrants Needed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEWTS New Volunteer Stewardship Day - Dan Ryan Woods CANCELED | 10:00am (CT) | 1:00pm (CT) | P8HJ+FR Chicago, Illinois Meet at the Dan Ryan-91st St parking lot. | Learn how to remove invasive shrubs with hand tools and place the wood in a brush pile fire. | 19/20 | Over |
