Restoration Workdays

Projects

Restoration Workdays Resources
Restoration Workdays Schedule
Seed Nursery Workdays Schedule
Other Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Stewardship Network

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Grab some work gloves and join other volunteers to save some of Lake County's natural areas. Workdays are a great opportunity to spend time outdoors, make new friends who share a concern for the Preserves and make a meaningful contribution.

In one morning, one person can make a difference to the inhabitants of a prairie, wetland, or oak savanna. Hundreds of people over thousands of hours can make all the difference.

Restoration workdays happen every weekend at Forest Preserves throughout Lake County. Volunteers should dress in long pants and sturdy shoes, and bring work gloves.

No prior experience is necessary for any of the above workdays.

Nursery workdays are on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at Rollins Savanna Seed Nursery. Learn about Lake County native grasses, wildflowers and more while helping your forest preserves. Help us establish plants in the native seed nursery by weeding, mulching, and seed collecting. Physical activity will be moderate and may involve bending, stooping or kneeling.

Adults, groups and families (children ages 10 and up only, please) are welcome. No prior experience is necessary

Tools and gloves will be provided. Dress for the weather.

Typical Restoration Workdays tasks:

Native Seed Nursery workdays coordinator:
Kelly Schultz, Nursery Coordinator
Desk: 847-265-6325, cell: 847-276-6945

Restoration workdays coordinator:
Tom Smith, Land Management Technician
Desk: 847-968-3329, cell: 847-276-5379

Workday Sites:

Almond Marsh, Grayslake.
Site Stewards: Jerry Kolar 847-336-1187 & Don Wilson (H) 847-855-9143, (C) 224-639-3158
Entrance on Almond Road 0.3 miles south of Belvidere Road (Rt.120). Park in the large lot.
MAP | WORK SCHEDULE

Berkeley Prairie, Highland Park.
Site Steward: Chris Wren (W) 312-822-7326,
(H) 847-831-0976
Ridge Road north to Ryder road. Left on Ryder to its end. Park on north side of road. One mile east of Waukegan Road.
MAP | WORK SCHEDULE



Ela Prairie near Cuba Marsh, Lake Zurich.
Site Steward: Katherine Grover 847-382-8405
Shante Kee 847-438-8498
Small parking lot on Ela Rd., east of Cuba Marsh.
Look for workday sign.
MAP | WORK SCHEDULE

Elm Road Woods near Wright Woods, Lincolnshire.
Site Steward: Dean Cesal 847-634-2931
Route 22 east of Milwaukee Avenue to Elm Road.
North to end of road.
MAP | WORK SCHEDULE



Fort Sheridan, Highland Park.
Site Stewards: Jonathan Schlesinger 847-309-5234
The entrance is located on Sheridan Road at Old Elm Road and Simonds Way near Highland Park. Enter on Simonds Way, left on Leonard Wood Drive North, left on Gilgare Lane to parking area..
MAP | WORK SCHEDULE

Grainger Woods, Mettawa/Lincolnshire.
Site Steward: Kathleen Garness 708-366-7584
(H) 708-698-6159 (C)
Entrance/parking, Saint Mary's Road at Wright Woods
near Everett Road, south of Route 60.
MAP | WORK SCHEDULE



Grant Woods, Lake Villa.
Site Steward: Joyce Proper 847-356-8138
Entrance/parking, Rollins Road parking lot on the south side of Rollins Road. Meeting spot is .66 miles west of Fairfield Road in Long Lake/Ingleside.
MAP | WORK SCHEDULE

Oriole Grove, Lake Bluff.
Site Steward: Dave Szaflarski 847-401-2358
Route 176 east, cross Route 41, the train track; pass the water tower on the north side of Route 176; watch for the sign: Skokie River Preserve - Lake Bluff Open Lands. Park in the gravel lot between the water plant & Mariani Landscaping office.
MAP | WORK SCHEDULE

Marl Flat, Volo.
Site Stewards: Judy & Bob Kaplan 847-740-0978
Route 120 west to Wilson Road, north to Levi Waite Road, west to Fish Lake Road, south to parking lot on east side of Fish Lake Road.
MAP | WORK SCHEDULE

McDonald Woods, Lindenhurst.
Site Stewards: Glenn Green 847-356-5290,
Ray Menges 847-265-8516
Route 45 north to Sand Lake Road, west to Beck Road. North one mile to the tennis court across from McDonald Woods.
MAP | WORK SCHEDULE

Middlefork Savanna, Lake Forest.
Site Steward: Denis Bohm 847-235-2738
Route 43 (Waukegan Road) 1.5 miles south of Route 176 (Rockland Road). West on Middlefork Drive to sales center parking lot.
MAP | WORK SCHEDULE



Prairie Wolf Slough, Bannockburn.
Site Stewards: Al Pilgrim 847-328-0145
South side of Half Day Road, approximately 0.5 miles east of Waukegan Road.
MAP | WORK SCHEDULE

Rollins Savanna, Grayslake.
Site Steward: Ed Beilfuss 847-548-6211
Parking lot on Drury Lane.
MAP | WORK SCHEDULE

Rollins Savanna Seed Nursery, Grayslake.
Site Steward: Kelly Schultz, Nursery Coordinator,
Desk: (847) 265-6325, cell: (847) 276-6945.
Washington Street entrance.
MAP | WORK SCHEDULE



Ryerson Conservation Area, Deerfield.
Site Steward: Bill Sullivan 847-945-6648
One mile south of Route 22 on the west side of Riverwoods Road. Meet at new Welcome Center parking lot.
MAP | WORK SCHEDULE

Spring Bluff, Winthrop Harbor.
Site Steward: Melissa Pearson 224-440-1287
One mile east of Sheridan Road on 9th Street in Winthrop Harbor.
MAP | WORK SCHEDULE

St. Francis Woods near Independence Grove, Libertyville.
Site Steward: Ethel Tincher 847-295-2337
River Road north from Route 137. Stone gate entrance on left where River Road makes a sharp right.
MAP | WORK SCHEDULE

Wadsworth Savanna, Wadsworth.
Site Stewards: Shelley Kiefer 847-838-1801,
Ray Biederer 847-662-3847.
Wadsworth Rd. east from Rt. 41 to the Wadsworth Canoe launch parking lot.
MAP | WORK SCHEDULE

Wilmot Woods, Libertyville.
Site Steward: Heather Decker 847-362-3558
On Route 137, 1 1/2 miles east of Route 21 turn south on to N. Oak Grove Ave. Go four blocks to Wildwood Ct and turn left. At the T of Wildwood and Park Lane. turn right.
MAP | WORK SCHEDULE

Wright Woods, Lincolnshire.
Site Steward: Tom Smith 847-968-3329
Entrance/parking, Saint Mary's Road at Everett Road, south of Route 60.
MAP | WORK SCHEDULE