Volunteering at a Community Stewardship Workday
VIEW LIST OF COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP WORKDAYS
Stewardship workdays vary by site and time of year, but can include tasks such as litter pickup, trail mulching, invasive plant removal, native plant installation, as well as fun nature-based activities such as birding and plant identification walks. Participants can volunteer at workdays as often as they like and tailor their volunteer experience according to their own schedules and interests.
Volunteer Roles
Volunteering in the Natural Areas offers many benefits, including learning about native Illinois flora and fauna, gaining hands-on experience in ecological restoration, developing leadership skills, connecting people to nature, and fostering an environmental ethic in the city of Chicago. Below are a list of volunteer roles.
Workday Volunteers without a formal role are welcome to participate in workdays, no application is required. Youth volunteers age 13 or over must be accompanied by a parent on their first visit. Volunteers under the age of 13 must always be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Lead/Assistant Stewards serve as the primary point of contact with CPD staff and are responsible for overall coordination of workdays, including organizing and management of workday activities as well as serving as a liaison between the community and CPD. Lead and Assistant Stewards must be at least 18 years old and commit to a minimum of 2 years of service to the group. Lead and Assistant Stewards must complete the items laid out in the Community Stewardship Program Policy Guide, including the completion of a volunteer application, background check, and apprenticeship.
Greeters welcome and orientate workday volunteers, administer waivers, and engage with park patrons to promote the program, workdays, and benefits of natural areas. Greeters must be at least 18 years old and commit to a minimum of 1 year of service to the group. Greeters must complete the items laid out in the Community Stewardship Program Policy Guide, including a volunteer application and background check.
Apprentice Stewards must be at least 16 years old and commit to one year of service to the Group. Apprentice under the age of 18 must have parental consent. Apprentice Stewards must complete the items laid out in the Community Stewardship Program Policy Guide, including a volunteer application.
Nature Ambassadors collaborate with CPD and the Lead Steward to offer nature walks or other nature-based learning opportunities as part of workdays,. Nature Ambassadors must be at least 18 years old. Nature Ambassadors must complete the items laid out in the Community Stewardship Program Policy Guide, including a volunteer application.
While opportunities are limited, people interested in becoming a formal Community Steward, Greeter, or Nature Ambassador should review the Community Stewardship Program Policy Guide and contact stewardship@chicagoparkdistrict.com for more information. No application is required to simply join a volunteer day as a member of the public.
Natural Areas
To find a list of Chicago Park District’s natural areas and plan your next visit, see our Natural Areas webpage or view the list of upcoming workdays here.