Forest district seeks volunteers for April cleanups
You can celebrate Earth Day throughout April by lending a hand removing litter and enhancing the environment at any number of volunteer workdays sponsored by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.
Individuals and families as well as school and church groups, Scout troops and other organizations are invited to work together for the benefit of visitors and wildlife alike. All ages are welcome at workdays, but adults must accompany children. Participants should dress to work outdoors by wearing layers and making sure to bring hats and gloves.
"The work that volunteers do to remove litter and invasive brush and collect and plant seeds makes a big impact in supporting the plants and animals that call DuPage County home," said Forest Preserve District Commissioner Marsha Murphy, District 1.
"Habitat restoration workdays this time of year can be particularly effective because it's easy to spot invasive plants for removal and to maneuver through natural areas without damaging native species," said Joe Cantore, president of the forest district.
Volunteer workdays include:
• Volunteer Spring Cleanup, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, Blackwell, Warrenville. Keep your forest preserves looking beautiful and enjoy a walk while you pick up litter.
• Helping Hands at Herrick Lake, 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 9, Herrick Lake, Wheaton. Celebrate Earth Day by removing litter from this popular preserve.
• Cache In, Trash Out Restoration Workday, 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 16, Fullersburg Woods, Oak Brook. Step into the woods with your fellow geocachers to help remove weedy brush.
• Spring into Volunteering, 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 16, Spring Creek Reservoir, Bloomingdale. Show the Earth a little kindness and help clean up a popular preserve.
• Volunteer Spring Cleanup, 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 16, Mallard Lake, Bloomingdale. Celebrate Earth Day by keeping your forest preserves looking beautiful and enjoy a walk while you pick up litter.
• Volunteer Workday at the Native Plant Nursery, 8 to 11 a.m. Saturdays, April 23 and 30, Blackwell, Warrenville. Lend a hand weeding, watering or collecting and cleaning seed. Ages 12 and older; younger than 18 with an adult.
Other Volunteer Restoration Workdays are from 9 a.m. to noon:
• Wednesday, April 6, at Springbrook Prairie, Naperville.
• Saturday, April 9, at Churchill Woods, Glen Ellyn; Fullersburg Woods, Oak Brook; West Chicago Prairie, West Chicago; and Springbrook Prairie, Naperville.
• Saturday, April 16, at Churchill Woods, Glen Ellyn; Springbrook Prairie, Naperville.
• Sunday, April 17, at Springbrook Prairie, Naperville.
• Saturday, April 23, at Springbrook Prairie, Naperville; West Chicago Prairie, West Chicago; Churchill Woods, Glen Ellyn.
• Saturday, April 30, at Churchill Woods, Glen Ellyn; Springbrook Prairie, Naperville.
Volunteers must register in advance by calling (630) 933-7233 to ensure the appropriate equipment is available at the event. Individuals should register five days in advance; students fulfilling requirements and organized groups of five or more should register 10 business days in advance.
For information about other volunteer opportunities at the district, visit the website at dupageforest.org or call Volunteer Services at (630) 933-7681.