Volunteer Opportunity
Nature Area Volunteer Stewardship Workdays
Location(s): Burnham Park , Gompers Park , Jackson Park , Lincoln Park , Loyola Park , Montrose Beach , Nichols Park , North Park Village Nature Center , Osterman Beach , Rainbow Beach , Ridge Park Wetlands Park , Washington Park , Winnemac ParkContact Phone: 312.742.4072
Contact email: Volunteer Contact Email
Volunteer Description:
There are a variety of volunteer stewardship opportunities at Chicago Park District Nature Areas. Stewardship is a satisfying and rewarding way to not only experience the natural areas in the City, but also contribute in a meaningful way to the ecological health of these areas.
What to expect on a Stewardship Workday: Each workday involves a brief orientation and tour of the site, and a work project. Stewardship volunteers work closely with an experienced volunteer site steward or leader. Workday activities may include: cutting brush, removing invasive plant species, collecting native seeds, planting native species, and mulching trails. Some workdays may also include a nature tour or special educational programming.
Leadership opportunities are available as a Volunteer Site Steward, or with outreach and educational programming. Please see the Volunteer Steward webpage for a more information.
Some tips for a satisfying workday experience: Always dress for the weather with long pants, sturdy shoes and sun/wind/rain protection and bring water. Tools and gloveswill be provided.
Volunteers must be over 18 or accompanied by an adult. For more information contact the Volunteer Steward listed below or call the Chicago Park District Volunteer Stewardship Coordinator at 312-742-4072. Other specific requirements are listed for each workday.
UPCOMING WORKDAYS in 2008...
Bill Jarvis Migratory Bird Sanctuary in Lincoln Park (Addison St. & Lake Shore Dr.)
Dates: May 10, 24
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, eastof 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 call Charlotte Newfeld at 773-327-5053.
Burnham Nature Sanctuary (47th St. & Lake Shore Dr.)
Dates: April 5, May 3, June 7, July 12, August 2, September 6, October 4, November 1
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 February to December
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.
Jackson Park - Paul H. Douglas Nature Sanctuary (Wooded Island) and Bobolink Meadow
Dates: April through November, every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month
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.
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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/LakeShoredrive intersection). For more information, contact Pam Holy at 773-275-2228.
Loyola Beach Dune (Pratt Avenue & Lake Michigan)
Dates: 3rd Saturday of the month from April to October (April 19, May 17, June 21, July 19, August 16, September 20, October 18)
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)
Dates: May 3
Times: 9 AM to noon
Description: Please come out and join the 1st Volunteer Stewardship Workday at McCormick Bird Sanctuary. Workday activities will include seeding, invasive species removal, and site clean-up. Meet at the north end of the prairie habitat, south of the McCormick Lakeside Center, near the guard station. For more information, contact Geoff Morris at 312-909-1330.
Montrose Beach Dunes in Lincoln Park
Dates: May 10
Times: 9 AM to noon
Monthly from April through November. Please contact the site steward, Leslie Borns, for more specific dates and times.
Description: Meet in the disabled parking lot east of the beach house at the east end of Montrose Beach. Contact Leslie Borns at 773-334-2281.
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Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary (Montrose Ave. & Lake Michigan)
Dates: March 1, April 5, May 3, June 7, July 12, August 2, September 6, October 4, November 1
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. For more information, contact David Painter at 773-935-1387 or dvdpaint@yahoo.com.
Nichols Park Wildflower Meadow (1355 E. 53rd St.)
Dates:April 13, May 11, May 25, June 8, June 22. Please call Carol Schneider at 773-684-2619 to confirm.
Times: 3-6 PM
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
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. Workdays will be canceled on festival days, so call ahead of time to the 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.)
Dates: April 19, May 31, June 14, June 28, July 12, July 26, August 9, August 23, September 6, September 27, October 11 (tentative) Time: 10 AM to noon
Description: Join the North Pond Conservation Council in planting native plugs, pulling invasive species, restoring trails, cleaning fences and mulching trees. North Pond is located behind the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. Meet onthe plazain the front of North Pond Restaurant (2610 N. Cannon Drive). For more information, contact the Lincoln Park Conservancy at 773-883-PARK or Volunteer@LPConservancy.org.
Rainbow Beach (3111 E. 77th St.)
Dates: May 31
Time: 1-3 PM
Description: Please come out and join the 1st Volunteer Stewardship Workday at Rainbow Beach. Workday activities will include removing invasive species and beach clean-up. For more infomation contact the Volunteer Stewardship Coordinator at 312-742-4072.
Ridge Park Wetland (9512 S. Wood St.)
Dates: The 4th Saturday of each month. Please confirm with the site steward, Jean Sellar at 773-445-3561.
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
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Washington Park (5531 S. King Drive)
Dates: 3rd Saturday of the month from March to October
Time: 9 AM to noon
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. 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 3, June 14, August 24, September 21
Times: 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.
