VOLUNTEER WORK ACTIVITIES AND PUBLIC EVENTS
When: 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month - 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Call Suzanne at 708-349-4913
2nd and 4th Saturday of each month – 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Call Bill at 708-268-4859
Chicago Wilderness Passport kids (scouts, youth groups, families):
Call Pat at 708-460-8270
Where: Saturdays: 167th Street entrance just west of La Grange Road
Wednesdays: Call Suzanne
Activities: Using loppers and bow saws, volunteers cut brush and small trees within the
perimeter of the site. The cuttings for the day are burned in a large bonfire that
also warms the volunteers.
When the timing is right, seeds are planted or gathered, invasive teasel seeds are
removed or certain weeds are pulled.
All activities are supervised by trained stewards (sometimes volunteer, sometimes
staff). Tools and gloves are provided.
OPPORTUNITIES
Individual Volunteers
Community Service for Schools
Adopt-a-Day for Organizations
April - In recognition of Earth Day, we schedule a spring clean up to collect trash along the bordering streets and in the interior. We also lead brush clearing field work and brush pile burns to our little piece of the earth back to great diversity and good health. Suitable for all ages, there can never be too many hands! Bags, work vests, trash collecting tools, tools and refreshments are provided.
May - OGGBE, Orland Grassland Grand Birding Event, is our volunteer bird count.
June – “Welcome Back Bobolinks” is scheduled during bird migratory season. It’s a welcome home open house for all of our migratory birds, especially the bobolinks. We host bird walks, explain the restoration process and show off this spectacular site.
September – In celebration of Public Lands Day, we host “Autumn on the Grassland”. This open
house is an opportunity for us to demonstrate the various workday activities involved in prairie restoration. It invites the community to participate and learn about prairie restoration as well as tour the site.