How to Volunteer

Seed collecting in the fall

VOLUNTEERING FOR FUN +

Our primary volunteer activities take place at our regularly scheduled workdays (See “Upcoming Workdays” calendar at right). These workdays occur outdoors at the Carl Hansen Woods/Poplar Creek Forest Preserve or Schaumburg Road Grasslands from 9 a.m. until approximately noon on alternating Saturdays and Sundays throughout the year. Please see Where We Work for more information.

Our Workday Activities vary depending on the season. Although we work hard, our workdays are fun! They are a great time to enjoy the great outdoors, get some exercise, learn about native Illinois habitats, meet new people, and make new friends. We have a mid-morning snack break (we provide the snacks), and volunteers often go out for lunch at a nearby casual eatery after the workday ends.

Please see What to Wear to ensure that you are dressed appropriately for the volunteer work.

Volunteers under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or a guardian during the workday and who will sign for the minor on the Volunteer Day Waiver sign-in sheet at the beginning of the workday.

Thank you for your interest—we hope to see you soon! If you have questions that we have not answered, please please send us a message. You can also check out our Facebook Page!

VOLUNTEERING FOR SCHOOL CREDIT +

Volunteers under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or a guardian during the workday, and who will sign for the minor, on the Volunteer Day Waiver sign-in sheet at the beginning of the workday. 

If you are reading this, you have probably been told by a teacher that you can receive credit for volunteering with the Poplar Creek Prairie Stewards. To receive credit, you must attend one or more of our workdays. Please plan to arrive in time for our 9 a.m. start, and to stay for the entire workday, which goes until approximately noon. If you have an attendance card or other document that must be signed to show you attended the workday, please be sure to bring it with you, and we will be happy to sign it at the end of the workday. We will provide any tools or training you need for the morning’s activities.

NOTE that to participate in the workday, you must be appropriately dressed; if you are not, we reserve the right (for safety reasons) to turn you away, and you will not get credit for the workday.

Thank you for your interest—we hope to see you soon! If you have questions that we have not answered, please please send us a message. You can also check out our Facebook Page!

BRINGING A GROUP TO WORK +

We are happy to host groups that want to volunteer! Group volunteering is by arrangement only.  If you are bringing a group of more than three people, please send us a message with:

  1. The workday date that you would like to attend;
  2. The approximate number of volunteers in your group; and
  3. Whether your group is all ages, adults only, younger children, or older children/teens.

Be sure to include your name, email address, phone number(s), and how you heard about us.  We will need to confirm that we can accommodate you on your requested date with appropriate work for your volunteers, with sufficient leaders and tools, and with any paperwork/waivers that may be required.

Thank you for your interest—we hope to see you soon! If you have questions that we have not answered, please please send us a message. You can also check out our Facebook Page!

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