Master Naturalist Volunteer Opportunities
This is a list of possible locations to find volunteer
and continuing education opportunities in the surrounding areas. Be sure to check the websites often as they
list their specific needs and programs.
This is not a complete list as there are many other avenues for
volunteering.
Boone County
Conservation District (BCCD)
603 N. Appleton Rd. Belvidere, IL 61008
Phone: 815-547-7935
BCCD- Restoration
Tuesdays
The BCCD Natural Resource Management Department is
looking for a few more hard working volunteers to join with other hard working
volunteers every Tuesday morning to help with habitat resto-ration projects.
This is a great learning experience and chance to work with some
“unforgettable” people. If you are interested or if you need more information,
email Josh Sage at jsage@bccdil.org
BCCD- Avid Birders
Sought for Surveying
BCCD is in search of avid birders to
assist staff in conducting surveys in our conservation areas! You do not have
to be an expert; if you have particular interest and knowledge in bird
identification, we’d be happy to have you accompany staff in the field for an
informal hike through high quality sites and project areas. All findings will
help guide habitat management therein. If you are interested, email Josh Sage
at jsage@bccdil.org.
Wild
Ones Rock River Valley
Nachusa Grasslands
Conservation and habitat restoration are part of Nachusa
Grasslands’ core mission and one of the preserve’s greatest needs. The work here is ongoing. Check out their list of opportunities.
Byron Forest
Preserve
Prairie
Preservation Society of Ogle County
Citizen Scientist
Topics:
Calling Frog Survey, Illinois Butterfly Monitoring Network, Illinois Odonate
Survey
http://www.naturemuseum.org/nature-and-science-in-action/citizen-science
DeKalb County Forest Preserve
Contact
for Stewardship: Al Roloff
815-751-5529
The DeKalb County Forest Preserve Land Stewards meet
every Wednesday morning at forest preserves to work on a variety of forest,
prairie and wetland restoration projects. For more information and to register
to help call Al Roloff.
Natural Resource Education
Center (NREC) – Russell Woods Forest Preserve, DeKalb County
Contact: Peggy Doty
DeKalb County Community Garden
(DCCG)
DCCG - Five Points
Food Forest
The Five Points Food Forest is located at Where Five
Points and Old State Roads meet just north of Route 64, north of DeKalb. It is
located on a dead end road there off of Five Points before you get to Old
State. It is five acres. We are planting perennials such as raspberries, hops,
asparagus, fruit and nut trees, etc. We will also be working with the DeKalb
Forest Preserve District to establish a small prairie there as well. We also
have a volunteer beekeeper there who leads bee-keeping workshops and we have
one or two hives going there.
DCCG – Walnut
Grove Prairie
DCCG has a farm located at 33600 Pearl Street just a 1.4
miles north of Kirkland. It is just about equal distance from Rockford as it is
from DeKalb. It is actually very close to Belvidere. It is on Pearl Street
which connects Route 72 and Cherry Valley Roads. The farm has two greenhouses,
a germination room, packing shed, a one-acre garden, small orchard, and a
10-acre section where we are restoring an Oak Savannah Prairie. On the farm
starting April 26, we sell bedding vegetable and flower plants, and then
later we will have u-pick vegetables. In regards to the MN we have a volunteer
prairie steward who has had years of experience out at Nachusa. He holds
regular volunteer workdays every Tuesday from 9am to noon. The volunteers will
be helping with getting rid of invasive plants, seeding and
planting prairie plant plugs, other prairie and natural habitat
restoration work.
Contact: Ron
Cress at 815-751-7291
Northwest Illinois
Audubon Society
Winnebago Forest
Preserve
Severson Dells
Nature Center
815-335-2915
McHenry County
Conservation District
I Think Green
(Youth Program)
This program engages youth in investigating how living
things interact with each other and with their environment. This program includes four tracks: 1) worms,
2) butterflies, 3) insects and 4) Nature Detectives – Birds. BDO Extension staff provide training for this
program. To learn more, contact your
county program coordinator.
U of I Extension Contacts:
Peggy Doty – psdoty@illinois.edu,
815-784-2000
Boone County – Judy Hodge hodg@illinois.edu, 815-544-3710
