Volunteer Opportunity
Nature Area Volunteer Stewardship Days
Location(s): Burnham Park , Gompers Park , Humboldt Park , Indian Boundary Park & Cultural Center , Jackson Park , Lincoln Park , Loyola Park , Montrose Beach , Nichols Park , North Park Village Nature Center , Osterman Beach , Rainbow Beach , Ridge Park Wetlands Park , Sherman Park , Washington Park , Winnemac ParkContact Phone: 312.742.4072
Contact email: Volunteer Contact Email
Volunteer Description:
Thank you for your interest in volunteering at a Stewardship Day! Stewardship is a satisfying and rewarding way to not only experience the natural areas in our city parks, but also to contribute to the ecological health of these areas. Each stewardship day involves a brief orientation, tour of the site, and work project. Stewardship volunteers work closely with an experienced volunteer site steward or leader to remove invasive plant species, collect native seeds, plant native species, and mulch trails and trees. Some workdays may also include a nature tour or special programming.
Pre-registration is required for groups (more than 5 people) and for specific workdays (details are included in the workday announcements below). If it is your first workday, it is a good idea to call the volunteer steward or volunteer coordinator first for detailed directions and a workday description. Volunteers should always dress for outdoor work with long pants, sturdy shoes, and sun protection. Tools and gloves will be provided.
Volunteers must be 18 or accompanied by an adult.
For more information contact the Volunteer Stewardship Coordinator at 312-742-4072.
UPCOMING STEWARDSHIP DAYS in 2010...
Bill Jarvis Migratory Bird Sanctuary in Lincoln Park (Addison St. & Lake Shore Dr.)
Dates: January 30; February 20; March 13, 27; April 10, 24; May 8, 29; June 12, 26; July 10, 24; August 14, 28; September 11, 25; October 9, 23, 30; November 13, 20; December 11.
Time: 9 AM to 2 PM
Description: Join the Lake View Citizens Council in stewardship activities in and around the Sanctuary. We work rain, shine or snow, so be prepared. Work gloves and tools will be provided. Binoculars and instruction in how to use them will be available during break times. We meet at the east side of the Sanctuary (Addison Ave.and Lake Shore Drive, east of the totem pole) at the small garage near the viewing platform. Parking is north of the Sanctuary in the Waveland Golf Course lot.
For more information, or if this is your first workday, pleasecall Charlotte Newfeld at 773-327-5053. Also please visit http://www.jarvissanctuary.org/for more information on the Sanctuary.
Burnham Nature Sanctuary (47th St. & Lake Shore Dr.)
Dates: March 6; April 3; May 1; June 5; July 10; August 7; September 11; October 2; November 6
Time: 9 AM to noon
Description: Join the Burnham stewardship group in a variety of activities including: trail maintenance, invasive plant species removal, brush cutting, seeding, or planting. Meet in the parking lot located on 47th Street, just west of Lake Shore Drive. For more information call Pam Holy at 773-275-2228
Gompers Wetland (corner of Foster Ave. & Pulaski Ave.)
Dates: The 2nd Saturday of each month from March to November (March 13, April 10; May 8; June 12; July 10; August 14, September 11, October 9, November 13)
Time: 9 AM to noon
Description: Join the North Mayfair Improvement Association in a variety of activities including: tree mulching, trail maintenance, invasive plant species removal, seeding, or planting. Meet in the parking lot on Keeler Avenue, just south of Foster Avenue on the west side of the park. For more information call Jim Macdonald at 773-736-1051.
Humboldt Park (1440 N. Sacramento Ave.)
Dates: April 24 (Earth Day Celebration), May 15, June 12
Time: 9 AM - noon
Description: Meet new friends and neighbors while you help enhance and beautify this nature area. Volunteers will help remove invasive species and plant native wetland plants. Meet at the Humboldt Park field house. To register or for more information, please contact the Volunteer Stewardship Coordinator, at 312-742-4072.
Indian Boundary Park Lagoon (2500 W. Lunt)
Dates: TBA
Times: 9 AM - noon
Description: Join friends and neighbors at Indian Boundary Park! Volunteers will plant plugs of native species in the nature area surrounding the lagoon. Volunteersmay also help control invasive species. For more information, contact the site steward Ann Glapa at anng2601@yahoo.com
Jackson Park - 63rd Street Beach
Dates: TBA
Time: 10AM - 1 PM
Description: The Chicago Park District, in partnership with the US Army Corps of Engineers, is in the process of creating a new dune and wetland nature area at 63rdStreet Beach. Come out and be a part of this momentous event! Volunteers are needed to help install approximately 10,000 dune grass plants which will create the base for this burgeoning dune habitat. Training and supplies will be provided. Registration is required. Please call 312.742.4072 to register.
Jackson Park - Paul H. Douglas Nature Sanctuary (Wooded Island) and Bobolink Meadow
Dates: 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month from April to October (April 10, 24; May 8, 22; June 12, 26; July 10, 24; August 14, 28; September 11, 25; October 9, 23; November 13, 27).
Time: 10 AM to 1 PM
Description: Join the Jackson Park Advisory Council in a variety of activities including: tree mulching, invasive plant species removal, seeding, or planting. **Note the new meeting location: Meet at the Darrow Bridge, south of the Museum of Science & Industry. Take Lake Shore Dr. to Science Dr. (5800 South), turn west at the light onto Science Dr. and go left to the Music Court Parking Lot. The Darrow Bridge is on the west side of the parking lot. Refreshments may be provided. For more information, contact Ross Petersen at 773-486-0505.
Kathy Osterman Beach Dune (Ardmore Avenue & Lake Michigan)
Dates and Times: Please contact the site steward, Pam Holy, for specific dates and times.
Description: Meet at the bike rack at Ardmore and the beach (northeast of the Hollywood/Sheridan/Lake Shore Drive intersection). For more information, contact Pam Holy at 773-275-2228.
Loyola Beach Dune (Pratt Avenue & Lake Michigan)
Dates: April 24, May 22, June 26
Time: 9 AM to noon
Description: Meet at the entrance to the dune habitat at the west end of the pier, just north and east of Pratt Ave. For more information, contact Ann Whelan at 773-743-2662.
McCormick Bird Sanctuary (just south of McCormick Place Lakeside Center, approx. 2400 S. Lake Shore Drive)
Dates: TBA
Times: 2-5 PM
Description: Come out and join a stewardship workday at McCormick Bird Sanctuary. Workday activities will include seeding, planting, trail maintenance,invasive species removal, and site clean-up.For more information, contact Geoff Morris at 312-909-1330. Also find out more information about this nature area at the following link: http://borevitzlab.uchicago.edu/Members/gmorris/urban-ecology/mccormick
Montrose Beach Dunes in Lincoln Park
Dates: TBA
Times: 1-4 pm
Stewardship days occur April through October. Please contact the Volunteer Stewardship Coordinator for specific dates and times.
Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary (Montrose Ave. & Lake Michigan)
Dates: March 6, April 10, May 8, June 12
Time: 9 AM to noon
Description: Join the volunteers at Montrose Point as they improve the Bird Sanctuary. Activities may include: weeding, seeding, planting and mulching. Meet at the "Magic Hedge" located on Montrose Avenue, east of Lake Shore Drive. Drive east towards the Lake and as the road turns north, take the first right by the bait shop. Continue to the nature area on the left, just before the harbor parking lot. Parking is available on the street.
The schedule is subject to change. Please contact the site steward, David Painter, at 773-935-1387 or dvdpaint@yahoo.com prior to the workday to confirm.
Nichols Park Wildflower Meadow (1355 E. 53rd St.)
Dates: April 4, 18 (3-5PM); May 2, 16, 30; June 13, 27 (4-6 PM)
Times:Please call Carol Schneider at 773-684-2619 to confirm dates and times.
Description: The Hyde Park Meadowlarks invite you to join them at their stewardship workdays in the wildflower meadow at Nichols Park. Activities may include cutting, weeding, planting, seeding, and mulching. Meet in the wildflower meadow at Nichols Park. For more information call Carol Schneider at 773-684-2619 or Stephanie Franklin at 773-955-3622.
North Park Village Nature Center (5801 N. Pulaski Rd.)
Dates: Every Wednesday and Sunday, year-round
(Registration Required; please call the Nature Center at 312-744-5472)
Time: 9 AM to noon
Description: Restore the woodland, wetland, and prarie communities in the nature preserve. Activities include planting native species and invasive species control. Registration is required,please callthe Nature Center at 312-744-5472. The Nature Center is located at 5801 N. Pulaski Rd., between Foster Ave.and Peterson Ave. Refreshments are provided.
North Pond in Lincoln Park (2430 N. Cannon Dr.)
North Pond Gardeners Workdays: TBA
Time: 10 AM to noon
Description: Join the Lincoln Park Conservancyin planting, pulling invasive species, restoring trails, cleaning fences and mulching trees. North Pond is located behind the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. Meet on the plaza in the front of North Pond Restaurant (2610 N. Cannon Drive). Tools, gloves, and water will be provided.
For more info, volunteers can call the24-hour hotline (312) 913-5703 or at the Lincoln Park Conservancy office (773) 883-PARK or via e-mail at Volunteer@LPConservancy.org.
Northerly Island (1440 S. Lynn White Drive)
Dates: TBA
Time: 10 AM to 1PM
Description: Come explore Northerly Island as the seasons change, experience our Prairie in the City with your whole family! Activities will include plant identification, seed collection, and fall crafts.To sign up. please call and leave message with the number of your party (312) 745-2910.
Portage Park Nature Garden (4100 N. Long Ave.)
Dates: May 15
Time: 10 AM to noon
Description: Meet new friends and neighbors and learn about the wonders on native landscaping as we clean up the garden for the spring. For more information, contact the site steward, Renata at 773.750.1408.
Rainbow Beach (3111 E. 77th St.)
Dates: TBA
Time: TBA
Description: Please come out and help enhance Rainbow Beach. Workday activities will include removing invasive species and beach clean-up. To register or for more infomation,contact the Volunteer Stewardship Coordinator at 312-742-4072.
Ronan Park Nature Trail (3000 W. Argyle St.)
Dates: TBA
Time: TBA
Description: Please join a stewardship day at Ronan Park Nature Trail. Volunteers will help with invasive species removal and general clean-up, while learning about the Nature Trail's many native trees, grasses, and flowers. For more information contact the site steward, Michael Herman, at 312-280-7838. Also check out this great website about the Ronan Park Trail http://ronanparktrail.wordpress.com/for the latest news and events.
Ridge Park Wetland (9512 S. Wood St.)
Dates: TBA
Time: 9 AM to noon
Description: Join us as we restore this exciting nature area. Activities may include brush cutting, invasive plant removal, seeding and planting. Meet at the wetland located along the gravel road on the west side of the Metra tracks, just south of 95th Street, behind the local stores. Refreshments will be provided. For more information contact Jean Sellar at jean.a.sellar@usace.army.milor 773-445-3561
Sherman Park (1301 W. 52nd St)
Dates: TBA
Time: 9 AM to noon
Description: Join this new project in 2009 as the Chicago Park District Volunteer Stewardship Program expands to Sherman Park. Volunteers will mulch the park trees, remove invasive species and trash from the lagoon, and spruce up the park for the spring. For more information please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 312.742.4072.
South Shore Nature Sanctuary (7059 S. South Shore Drive)
Dates: April 2 (9:30 - 11:30 AM); May 5 (10 AM - noon); June 19 (noon - 2 pm)
Description: Join this new project in 2010 at the beautiful South Shore Nature Sancturay located behind the South Shore Cultural Center. Volunteers will assist with invasive species removal and planting native plants in the dune and prairie habitats. For more information and to register, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 312.742.4072
Washington Park (5531 S. King Drive)
Dates: April 17 (meet at the park field house); May 15, June 19 (meet at the Fountain of Time)
Time: 9 AM to noon
WASHINGTON PARK SPRING BIRD WALKS: May 8th and 15th; 7AM(Meet at the Washington Park Refectory)
Description: Join us as we improve the lagoon edge and nature areas of Washington Park. Workday activities include invasive species removal, pruning trees and shrubs, trail maintenance, trash pick-up, and planting native species. Meet at the SE corner of the lagoon, near the Fountain of Time, unless otherwise indicated. For more information, contact the site steward, Madiem Kawa, at 773-203-3418 or sunshine0711@gmail.com.
Winnemac Park (5100 N. Leavitt St.)
Dates: May 15 (9AM - noon); June 13 (9-11 AM); July 13 (9-11 AM); August 7 (9-11 AM); September 12 (9-11 AM); October 16 (9-11 AM).
Description: Join us as we restore this beautiful prairie. Activities may include invasive plant removal, mulching, seeding, planting and seed collection. Meet by the two large trees west of the parking lot off of Damen Ave., just south of Foster Ave. For more information, contact Danielle Green at dgreen731@sbcglobal.net.
