- Provide opportunities for volunteers to actively participate in and make a meaningful contribution to the restoration goals of the District.
- Provide volunteers with a positive and pleasant service experience.
- Build public awareness of the goals and values of the Park District Natural Areas and Nature Programs.
- Develop greater connections between the Park District and local residents living in and around the Parks and Natural Areas
The Natural Resources division is revising and expanding the volunteer program. Over time we will be introducing additional volunteer opportunities to help enhance the volunteer program and give the community more options to become involved. Currently we offer SNAPS, a group that focuses on stewardship of the natural areas. Future opportunities will include; assisting with nature programs, monitoring of natural areas, trail monitoring, seed collection, and community gardens.
CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES
SNAPS Volunteer- To assist Land Management staff with efforts to restore and protect native ecosystems. To cut brush, build burn piles, pull weeds, harvest seed and perform other tasks during restoration workdays.
NEW OPPORTUNIES
Special Events Volunteer- To assist staff in offering seasonal special events for the general public. Work at an assigned area during a special event, help with set-up, greet visitors, assist visitors with activities, and help clean up after the event.
Derby Volunteer- To assist staff with parking, limits/registration checks, and greeting participants. Work at an assigned area during the derby and help clean up after the event.
FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES
Natural Areas Monitor- To keep watch over a specific natural area and assist with the collection of biological information about certain plants or animal species. Monitor the site a minimum of one time monthly by walking the natural area and filling out visit forms. Conduct citizen science projects and reports.
Nature Program Volunteer- To assist staff in presenting concepts of ecology and natural history to school, scouts, and general public using hands-on activities. Lead students, scouts, and public on hikes through the Conservation Area for various lengths of time and assist the Naturalist in a variety of activities necessary to provide successful education programs.
Garden Volunteer- Assist staff with installing new plant material in pollinator and learning gardens. Weed and clean gardens, remove dead blooms and branches. Maintain plant identification tags and signs. Evaluate and monitor plants within the gardens. Monitor Community Garden area.
Adopt-A-Trail Volunteer- To help maintain the aesthetic and natural quality of the District’s trails. Community groups, organizations and individuals may adopt a trail or a one-mile section of a certain trail to promote trail usage by reporting on the conditions of the trail and collecting refuse from the trail area.
Seed Collection- To assist land management staff in the collection and processing of native plant seeds, which will be used to reestablish native plant communities in other natural areas in the District. Use hand tools to harvest woodland, prairie, and/or wetland seeds at natural areas in the District.
If you are interested in participating in SNAPs workdays or becoming a site steward, please call (630) 739-4696 or email us at
volunteer@bolingbrookparks.org