Will County Volunteer Opportunities

Braidwood

Braidwood Dunes and Savanna workdays: (Will County Natural Area Volunteers)
Workdays vary, contact the site steward.
Directions: Located on Route 113, east of Route 53 and I-55, approximately 0.75 miles east of the town of Braidwood. For more information and directions contact Renee Gauchet (815) 727-8700.

Crete

Goodenow Grove workdays: (Will County Natural Area Volunteers)
Workdays vary, contact the site steward. Directions: 1.25 miles east of the intersection of Routes 1 and 394 on Goddenow Road, south of Crete. Meet at the Nature Center. For more information call Phyllis Schulte (708) 479-1097 or e-mail farfel51@hotmail.com

Frankfort

Hunter's Woods workdays: (Will County Natural Area Volunteers)
Directions: South of Route 30, on 78th street at the end of street.
For more information and directions contact Renee Gauchet (815) 727-8700.

Joliet

Black Road/Rock Run Access workdays: (Will County Natural Area Volunteers)
Workdays vary, contact the site steward.
For more information and directions call Richard Wachenheim (815) 866-3537 or e-mail rwachenheim@fpdwc.org .

Lockport

Lockport Prairie workdays: (Will County Natural Area Volunteers)
Workdays vary, contact the site steward.
Directions: Take Rt. 53 south to Division St. Turn east on Division St. and follow to trail head.
For more information call Richard Wachenheim (815) 886-3537or e-mail rwachenheim@fpdwc.org.

Long Run Seep workdays: (Will County Natural Area Volunteers)
Workdays vary, contact the site steward.
Directions: 1 mile south of 135th St. on New Avenue south of Lemont. Park on road shoulder.
For more information call Richard Wachenheim (815) 886-3537 or e-mail rwachenheim@fpdwc.org. .

Messenger Woods workdays: (Will County Natural Area Volunteers)
Directions: Bruce Road north of Route 6 (Southwest Highway) and east of Cedar Road in rural Lockport. For more information call Phyllis Schulte (708) 479-1097.

Mokena

Brightway Prairie workdays: (Will County Natural Area Volunteers)
Workdays vary, contact the site steward.
Directions: North of Route 30 on Wolf Rd., take Kluth west from Wolf Rd. to Brightway Lane, turn left and parking is at the cul-de-sac. For more information and directions contact Renee Gauchet (815) 727-8700.

Hickory Creek Barrens workdays: (Will County Natural Area Volunteers)

Directions: From Wolf Road turn west on Kluth (intersection is one mile north of Route 30) and proceed to South Brightway. Turn west on South Brightway and meet at the cul-du-sac.
For more information and directions call Phyllis Schulte at (708) 479-1097

Old Plank Road Trail workdays: (Will County Natural Area Volunteers)
For more information and directions contact Renee Gauchet (815) 727-8700.

Monee

Raccoon Grove workdays: (Will County Natural Area Volunteers)
Workdays vary, contact the site steward.
Located on Pauling Road, just east of Route 50 (Governors Highway), 1mi. south of Monee.
For more information call Richard Wachenheim at (815) 727-8700 or rwachenheim@fpdwc.org.

Romeoville

Romeoville Prairie workdays: (Will County Natural Area Volunteers)
Workdays vary, contact the site steward. For more information call Richard Wachenheim (815) 886-3537or rwachenheim@fpdwc.org. Directions: Meet at Isle a la Cache Museum parking lot, located at 501 E. Romeo Rd., 1/2 mile east of Rt. 53.

Wilmington

Midewin workdays: (Midewin Prairie Volunteers)
Wednesdays, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturdays, 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM

2007 Restoration Workdays: May 5th, May 19th, May 23rd.

Heritage Association Workdays: May 26th, June 16th.

New Volunteer Workshop: Learn all about our programs, meet staff, and match your interests to specific tasks. We'll take a tour of Midewin to see some restoration projects, stop and do some wildlife watching, and talk about our natural and cultural heritage. To register, contact Chris Pratt at (815) 423-2148 or cpratt@tnc.org

Workdays are held at the Midewin Supervisor's Office in the Administrative Center (SO), Jackson Creek Woods, and the River Road Seed Beds. Please call ahead (815-423-6370) if you plan on attending.

We've entered meteorological autumn and the prairie is changing. Gold and yellow and purple and tawny brown are replacing whites and pinks and blues. Come on over and see for yourself at a volunteer workday. To register, please call Chris Pratt at 815-423-2148 or email cpratt@tnc.org

General Directions to Midewin: Midewin is located on State Route 53, between Elwood and Wilmington. From Interstate 55, travel to exit 241 (Wilmington). At the exit's stop sign, take a left onto River Road. If you are traveling to the River Road seed production nurseries, travel straight for about 1.5 - 2 miles. The seed production nurseries are on the north side of the road. If you are traveling to Midewins Administrative Center, continue traveling east on River Rd. Turn left at the stop sign, which marks the intersection with State Route 53. Travel north (straight) for slightly more than one mile. Midewin Administrative Center, an old two-story brick house , is located on the east side of the road, and is marked by a large sign. For more further information on workdays at Midewin call Chris Pratt (815) 423-2148 or email cpratt@tnc.org