How to give back to Lake Co. park system

This feature highlights interesting tidbits and facts about places and events around Lake County. If you have any place you would like to recommend, or something you would like to find out, please e-mail us at lake@dailyherald.com.

The more than 25,000 acres that comprise the Lake County Forest Preserves offer more than scenic vistas, hiking and biking and a chance to see nature up close.

And whether you're 7 or 70, and want to give something back to the system, there is an array of ways to volunteer and improve the forest preserves. Opportunities include canoe/kayak guide, frog monitor, gardener, museum gallery guide or youth steward, for example. Tom Smith, the district's stewardship coordinator is the go-to guy at (847) 968-3329.

Here's a few opportunities that are ongoing or coming up. For details, maps and other information, visit www.lcfpd.org:

• Those who want to meet others who enjoy hiking and learning about nature can help plan monthly routes and lead groups through various forest preserves. No experience is required. Call Jenny Sazama at (847) 968-3482.

• Help establish plants in the native seed nursery by planting, weeding, watering, collecting seed and transplanting plants. Volunteers are welcome for individual work days or on a regular basis beginning May 6 at the Rollins Savanna Greenhouse. Call Sarah Stevens at (847) 265-6325.

• Grab your gloves and work boots for restoration work days, which run every weekend from Saturday through May 25. These typically involve sowing prairie and woodland seeds and garlic mustard management. No experience necessary, all ages accepted. Contact Smith.

• Keep the waters flowing by joining the Water TrailKeepers group, an umbrella organization of canoe and kayak clubs, retailers, outfitters and providers. Volunteers adopt a section of a local river and help keep the waterway safe by removing log jams and clean up trash. If you're new to canoeing but want to help, training is provided by a certified instructor. Call Paul Klonowski (847)687-2477 or e-mail pklonowski@comast.net.

• Birders can monitor and report nesting successes of bluebird nest boxes on forest preserve lands. The volunteer will work independently or with other trained personnel following training with a staff biologist. Time commitment is flexible, usually requiring 90 minutes per week during nesting season from April through July. Contact Smith.