Volunteer: Belmont Prairie REAP Workday January 17thBelmont Prairie- Restore, Educate, and Preserve Community Workday January 17th from 9 to 11:30 AM.All are welcome to join in this volunteer community. Make new friends, cut and remove brush and aggressive species to open up space for native flora and critters, and learn what this habitat needs from you to help restore it! Participants under 14 must be accompanied by an adult, and those under the age of 18 must have a parent/guardian sign the yearly liability waiver.If you plan on coming to the work day, please RSVP HERE!Meet at Belmont Prairie, 4822-4830 Cross St, Downers Grove, Illinois.Come dressed for the weather and in comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting dirty or damaged. Sturdy, closed-toed shoes, long pants, bug spray, sunscreen, and a water bottle recommended. And feel free to bring a friend to join - or two or three!The Park District will provide all tools, safety equipment and training in safety and restoration techniques. Volunteers should have the ability to work outdoors doing physical labor. Volunteers must also be able to work with others as a team and to follow the directions of the workday supervisors. Youth volunteers under the age of 14 require a ratio of 1 adult for 5 participants.
Organization: Downers Grove Park District Belmont Prairie- Restore, Educate, and Preserve Community Workday January 17th from 9 to 11:30 AM.All are welcome to join in this volunteer community. Make new friends, cut and remove brush and aggressive species to open up space for native flora and critters, and learn what this habitat needs from you to help restore it! Participants under 14 must be accompanied by an adult, and those under the age of 18 must have a parent/guardian sign the yearly liability waiver.If you plan on coming to the work day, please RSVP HERE!Meet at Belmont Prairie, 4822-4830 Cross St, Downers Grove, Illinois.Come dressed for the weather and in comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting dirty or damaged. Sturdy, closed-toed shoes, long pants, bug spray, sunscreen, and a water bottle recommended. And feel free to bring a friend to join - or two or three!The Park District will provide all tools, safety equipment and training in safety and restoration techniques. Volunteers should have the ability to work outdoors doing physical labor. Volunteers must also be able to work with others as a team and to follow the directions of the workday supervisors. Youth volunteers under the age of 14 require a ratio of 1 adult for 5 participants.
Organization: Downers Grove Park District Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Happens On Jan 17, 2026 Zip Code: 60515 Allow Groups: Yes |
Volunteer: Animal Care Volunteer *WEEKDAYS FROM 9 AM-4 PM VOLUNTEERS NEEDED, WEEKEND SPOTS FULL*Animal Care VolunteerPosition Summary: Help us feed and care for the Interpretive Center's animals! Animal care volunteers prepare diets, change waters, clean the enclosures, and help socialize our resident reptiles. This includes our aquatic and terrestrial turtles, a leopard gecko, a corn snake, tiger salamander, and more!Requirements: Volunteers must be at least 14 years of age and have an interest in reptiles and animal care. Preference will be given to volunteers who can commit to one 2-hour shift per week (same day each week) for a period of at least three months. We are currently looking for volunteers weekdays only from 9 AM to 4 PM.All training is provided, but volunteers must be comfortable with handling reptiles and their food, which may include live worms or other insects. Must be willing to comply with District safety standards and submit a volunteer application and waiver.If interested, please fill out the below forms and email them to lymanwoods@dgparks.org at your earliest convenience. Thanks!https://www.dgparks.org/upload/GeneralVolunteerApplication.Garden.REAP.Trail.Office.AnimalCare.pdfhttps://www.dgparks.org/upload/VolunteerWaiver2024.pdf
Organization: Downers Grove Park District Animal Care VolunteerPosition Summary: Help us feed and care for the Interpretive Center's animals! Animal care volunteers prepare diets, change waters, clean the enclosures, and help socialize our resident reptiles. This includes our aquatic and terrestrial turtles, a leopard gecko, a corn snake, tiger salamander, and more!Requirements: Volunteers must be at least 14 years of age and have an interest in reptiles and animal care. Preference will be given to volunteers who can commit to one 2-hour shift per week (same day each week) for a period of at least three months. We are currently looking for volunteers weekdays only from 9 AM to 4 PM.All training is provided, but volunteers must be comfortable with handling reptiles and their food, which may include live worms or other insects. Must be willing to comply with District safety standards and submit a volunteer application and waiver.If interested, please fill out the below forms and email them to lymanwoods@dgparks.org at your earliest convenience. Thanks!https://www.dgparks.org/upload/GeneralVolunteerApplication.Garden.REAP.Trail.Office.AnimalCare.pdfhttps://www.dgparks.org/upload/VolunteerWaiver2024.pdf
Organization: Downers Grove Park District Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Is Ongoing Zip Code: 60515 Allow Groups: No |
Volunteer: Trail Management & RestorationTrail Management and Restoration Volunteers perform various restoration tasks, under the supervision of Park District staffThe Park District will provide all tools, safety equipment and training in safety and trail restoration techniques. Volunteers should have the ability to work outdoors doing hard, physical labor. Volunteers must also be able to work with others as a team and to follow the directions of the workday supervisor. A signed waiver and release form are required annually from all volunteers.Types of Duties:Removal of brush and aggressive invasive plants.MulchingMoving and/or cutting logs to line trailsDigging trenches for drainageIf interested, please fill out the below forms and email them to lymanwoods@dgparks.org at your earliest convenience. Thanks!https://www.dgparks.org/upload/GeneralVolunteerApplication.Garden.REAP.Office2023.pdfhttps://www.dgparks.org/upload/VolunteerWaiver2023.pdf
Organization: Downers Grove Park District Trail Management and Restoration Volunteers perform various restoration tasks, under the supervision of Park District staffThe Park District will provide all tools, safety equipment and training in safety and trail restoration techniques. Volunteers should have the ability to work outdoors doing hard, physical labor. Volunteers must also be able to work with others as a team and to follow the directions of the workday supervisor. A signed waiver and release form are required annually from all volunteers.Types of Duties:Removal of brush and aggressive invasive plants.MulchingMoving and/or cutting logs to line trailsDigging trenches for drainageIf interested, please fill out the below forms and email them to lymanwoods@dgparks.org at your earliest convenience. Thanks!https://www.dgparks.org/upload/GeneralVolunteerApplication.Garden.REAP.Office2023.pdfhttps://www.dgparks.org/upload/VolunteerWaiver2023.pdf
Organization: Downers Grove Park District Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Is Ongoing Zip Code: 60515 Allow Groups: No |
Volunteer: General Volunteer - Program Help, Trail Work, Animal Care, & MoreSpend the Winter volunteering for Nature, IN Nature! Lyman Woods is a Nature Center in Downers Grove nestled in a 150-acre mosaic of natural beauty and habitat, including marsh, wetland, prairie, and oak forest habitat.We're searching for volunteers to help us with a variety of tasks, including program help, trail restoration, animal care, watering indoor plants, and gardening. This role includes a mix of tasks, so if you live for excitement, expect to do a different activity every time you come in!Opportunity is open to all ages. Volunteers under 14 must be accompanied by an parent/guardian. Volunteers under 18 must have a parent/guardian signature on the liability waiver, and volunteers over 18 who are working alongside children must complete a background check.
Organization: Downers Grove Park District Spend the Winter volunteering for Nature, IN Nature! Lyman Woods is a Nature Center in Downers Grove nestled in a 150-acre mosaic of natural beauty and habitat, including marsh, wetland, prairie, and oak forest habitat.We're searching for volunteers to help us with a variety of tasks, including program help, trail restoration, animal care, watering indoor plants, and gardening. This role includes a mix of tasks, so if you live for excitement, expect to do a different activity every time you come in!Opportunity is open to all ages. Volunteers under 14 must be accompanied by an parent/guardian. Volunteers under 18 must have a parent/guardian signature on the liability waiver, and volunteers over 18 who are working alongside children must complete a background check.
Organization: Downers Grove Park District Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Is Ongoing Zip Code: 60515 Allow Groups: No |
Volunteer: Special REAP Eco-Restoration Kick-Off at Lyman Woods!Hello Fellow Nature Lovers! On Saturday, February 7 from 1-3:30 PM, Lyman Woods Nature Center will be hosting an eco-restoration kick-off for our REAP (Restore, Educate, and Preserve) volunteer group, and we’d love you to join in! Connecting with fellow community members and learning more about how we can care for this ecosystem together is what this event is all about! At the end of the workday, we’ll gather around a campfire to share snacks and s’mores. RSVP for the Workday HERE. What is an eco-restoration workday? Lyman Woods is home to diverse plants, animals, and ecosystems—and like all natural areas, it needs a helping hand to stay healthy. Eco-restoration workdays give community members the chance to actively support the land through hands-on activities such as invasive species removal, seed collecting, and seasonal habitat care. For this REAP kick-off, volunteers will focus on removing invasive species—sometimes called “ecosystem bullies,” like buckthorn and multiflora rose. These plants are not native to our region and tend to spread aggressively, crowding out the native plants that wildlife depends on. By removing them, volunteers help restore balance and create space for native species to thrive. Why volunteer? Community volunteers play a vital role in keeping Lyman Woods healthy and vibrant. Many volunteers find that restoration work fosters a strong sense of connection and ownership, especially when caring for nature close to home. By joining REAP, you become part of a community that truly cares about local land and wildlife. When & where? Saturday, February 7 at 1:00 PM until 3:30 PM--at 3 we will commune at the campfire pit for s'mores and snacks! Feel free to bring a snack to share among others. Meet in front of the Lyman Woods Nature Center 901 31st Street, Downers Grove Who can participate? All are welcome! Participants must complete a volunteer waiver (attached).Volunteers under 14 years old must attend with an adult.Volunteers under 18 years old need a parent/guardian signature on their waiver.What should I wear? Please wear comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. We recommend: Sturdy, closed-toed shoesLong pantsLayers for winter weatherWater bottleBug spray and sunscreen (weather-dependent)Want to learn more or sign up? RSVP for the Workday HERE. Feel free to reach out to volunteer@dgparks.org or cangarone@dgparks.org with any questions. You can also visit the Volunteer Calendar on the Downers Grove Park District website to view upcoming workdays and RSVP. We hope you’ll join us for this cozy, meaningful, and community-driven start to the REAP season. Together, we can help Lyman Woods thrive—one workday at a time. Organization: Downers Grove Park District Hello Fellow Nature Lovers! On Saturday, February 7 from 1-3:30 PM, Lyman Woods Nature Center will be hosting an eco-restoration kick-off for our REAP (Restore, Educate, and Preserve) volunteer group, and we’d love you to join in! Connecting with fellow community members and learning more about how we can care for this ecosystem together is what this event is all about! At the end of the workday, we’ll gather around a campfire to share snacks and s’mores. RSVP for the Workday HERE. What is an eco-restoration workday? Lyman Woods is home to diverse plants, animals, and ecosystems—and like all natural areas, it needs a helping hand to stay healthy. Eco-restoration workdays give community members the chance to actively support the land through hands-on activities such as invasive species removal, seed collecting, and seasonal habitat care. For this REAP kick-off, volunteers will focus on removing invasive species—sometimes called “ecosystem bullies,” like buckthorn and multiflora rose. These plants are not native to our region and tend to spread aggressively, crowding out the native plants that wildlife depends on. By removing them, volunteers help restore balance and create space for native species to thrive. Why volunteer? Community volunteers play a vital role in keeping Lyman Woods healthy and vibrant. Many volunteers find that restoration work fosters a strong sense of connection and ownership, especially when caring for nature close to home. By joining REAP, you become part of a community that truly cares about local land and wildlife. When & where? Saturday, February 7 at 1:00 PM until 3:30 PM--at 3 we will commune at the campfire pit for s'mores and snacks! Feel free to bring a snack to share among others. Meet in front of the Lyman Woods Nature Center 901 31st Street, Downers Grove Who can participate? All are welcome! Participants must complete a volunteer waiver (attached).Volunteers under 14 years old must attend with an adult.Volunteers under 18 years old need a parent/guardian signature on their waiver.What should I wear? Please wear comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. We recommend: Sturdy, closed-toed shoesLong pantsLayers for winter weatherWater bottleBug spray and sunscreen (weather-dependent)Want to learn more or sign up? RSVP for the Workday HERE. Feel free to reach out to volunteer@dgparks.org or cangarone@dgparks.org with any questions. You can also visit the Volunteer Calendar on the Downers Grove Park District website to view upcoming workdays and RSVP. We hope you’ll join us for this cozy, meaningful, and community-driven start to the REAP season. Together, we can help Lyman Woods thrive—one workday at a time. Organization: Downers Grove Park District Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Happens On Feb 7, 2026 Zip Code: 60515 Allow Groups: Yes |