If you’re wild about nature and enjoy working with people who are enthusiastic about the environment, you’re a “natural” to help District site stewards at habitat restoration workdays. Volunteers assist with seasonal restoration tasks, such as cutting and stacking invasive brush, removing non-native vegetation, and sowing native plant seed.
Who: Adults, teens, families (children should be at least 7 years old, and those under 15 must be accompanied by an adult), groups, students needing to complete community service requirements
Where: Conservation Areas (listed below) throughout McHenry County
When: Saturdays and Sundays throughout the year. Sessions last about three hours.
Experience: No experience required – training is provided
What to bring: Wear sturdy footwear and clothing appropriate for outdoor work and weather conditions. Safety equipment and tools are provided. Bring work gloves if you own them, plus drinking water, insect repellent and sunscreen, as needed.
How to get involved: Choose the Conservation Area where you wish to help out, and then contact the site steward for site-specific details. Additional questions? Contact the Volunteer Coordinator at (815)338-6223 or Volunteers@MCCDistrict.org
| Site: | Glacial Park, Richmond Workday & Apprentice Stewards Training |
| Steward: | Ed Collins, (815) 653-2297 |
| Dates: | Third Saturday of the month; call first for information |
| Time: | Meet at the Lost Valley Visitor Center at 1:00 pm |
| Note: | Bring work gloves and proper shoes |
| Site: | Alden Sedge Meadow, Alden |
| Steward: | Dan Wilson, (815) 403-7976 |
| Dates: | First Saturday of the month; call first for information |
| Time: | 9 am - noon; call first for information |
| Note: | Groups Welcome |
| Site: | Alden Sedge Meadow South, Alden |
| Steward: | Jack & Judy Speer, (815) 648-1372 or smwaters@intergate.com |
| Dates: | Third Sunday of the month, 1-3 pm; call first for information |
| Note: | Groups welcome; special programs available |
| Site: | Boger Bog, Bull Valley |
| Steward: | Ders Anderson, (815) 455-1537 |
| Dates: | Fourth Saturday of the month; call first for information |
| Site: | Bystricky Prairie, Woodstock |
| Steward: | Anne Basten, (815) 338-6223 |
| Dates: | Variable Saturdays; call first for information |
| Time: | 2–5 pm |
| Site: | Coral Woods, Marengo |
| Steward: | Kathleen Roberson, (815) 568-7301 |
| Dates: | Variable; call first for information |
| Site: | Cotton Creek Marsh, Island Lake |
| Steward: | Mike Bouska, (815) 759-0731 |
| Dates: | 1st and 3rd Sundays; call first for information |
| Time: | 1–3 pm |
| Note: | Groups welcome |
| Site: | Fel-Pro RRR, Cary |
| Steward: | Nancy Williamson, (815) 459-0931 |
| Dates: | Variable; call first for information |
| Site: | Fox Bluff, Cary |
| Steward: | Connie and Paul Ridl, (847) 854-5109 |
| Dates: | Last Sunday of the month; call first for information |
| Site: | Grundstrom Woods, Wonder Lake |
| Steward: | Chuck and Ann Dubsky, (815) 728-9199 |
| Dates: | Second Saturday of the month |
| Time: | 9:30 am–12 pm; call first for information |
| Note: | Groups welcome |
| Site: | Harrison Benwell, Wonder Lake |
| Steward: | Pat Heald, (815) 575-1684 |
| Dates: | First Saturday of the month; call first for information |
| Time: | 9:30 am–1 pm |
| Note: | Groups welcome |
Site: |
The Hollows, Cary |
Steward: |
Margie Szymanskyj, (815) 479-0988 |
Dates: |
Variable Sundays. Not held during cold weather; call first for information |
Time: |
9 am–12 pm |
| Site: | Lake in the Hills Fen |
| Steward: | John Scott, (847) 658-6241 |
| Dates: | Variable; call first for information |
| Note: | Groups welcome |
| Site: | Pleasant Valley, Woodstock |
| Steward: | Steve Francis and Greg Rajsky, (815) 814-5055 or quirkaceae@yahoo.com |
| Dates: | Variable; call first for information |
| Time: | 9 am–12pm |
| Site: | Pioneer Fen/Dutch Creek, Johnsburg |
| Steward: | Robert Roe, (815) 344-7989 |
| Dates: | Variable Saturdays; call first for information |
| Note: | Groups welcome |
To find out more, contact MCCD Volunteer Coordinator Denice Beck at 815-338-6223, ext. 229
or
email volunteers@mccdistrict.org.