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Volunteers from Windrose shared their time and energy at a recent Spring Creek Workday. Thank you for supporting your forest preserves! Photo by Kris DaPra

June 2019

People of the Preserves

BABS EDDINGTON

"I used to bring my kids to Crabtree Nature Center to walk on the trails because it’s just such a warm and welcoming place. In 1998 I donated a bench here in memory of my daughter, and the people here were really nice. I saw a little flier that said they needed volunteers so when I retired from nursing, I called them and they invited me for an interview. They asked me what I liked to do so that they could match me up to a role, and they took me as a volunteer. They really try to match you up with the things you enjoy doing, and you can just step right into it. I help with the preparation for kids projects, cutting paper, folding, and I also paint signs outside. I like the people here. They’re just really sweet and kind. I love the trees and the nature out here, and Darryl the turkey vulture, my bud. Darryl really has a personality. He tried to attack me one time in the classroom and I had to go behind chairs, but he knows me now since I come every week, just for an hour or two. It’s my routine. It’s easy and I think people would really enjoy it. I recommend it."

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CHARLIE

"I got accepted to live at Misericordia Heart of Mercy on October 30th of this past year and I actually moved into a CILA, and that stands for Community Integrated Living Arrangement, a home for residents where I live with five other guys. I actually heard about River Trail from Nora who is one of the staff from the Holbrook Work Center and she is a part of Engage Chicago. I really, really enjoy volunteering here and teaching kids about wildlife animal species. I have been volunteering since April but our volunteer training was in March. My favorite topic to talk to kids about is birds. I just love the way birds feel. I really like the duck that we get to demonstrate to the kids, and how to pet it correctly. Kids ask questions like ‘How many different birds are there?’. I really enjoy coming here and seeing the staff. I enjoy that it’s in a lovely nature setting and I really like communicating with everybody."

TRAININGS

First Aid & CPR
7/10, 8/9
"Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive, stayin' alive." If you don't understand what Bee Gees lyrics have to do with CPR training, take the class and find out.

Trail Watch
7/28
Join a community of nearly 400 volunteers who report troubling conditions, prevent poaching and make the Preserves more welcoming for all.

See All Volunteer Enrichment & Training

EVENTS

Sunday, 6/30

Get to know Ted Stone, a lovely property in the central zone of our County where dolomite prairie meets oak/hickory woodland at our next Regional Ecology Gathering. These gatherings are an opportunity for Volunteer Leaders to meet with their Regional Ecologist, Project Management and Volunteer Resources staff. Walk the site while gaining an understanding of site-specific issues, and celebrating successes and volunteer accomplishments.

Sunday, 7/28

Come to Swallow Cliff Woods South on Sunday, July 28th at 9am for a summer woodland wildflower walk hosted by Palos Restoration Project. Walk a lovely, mostly shaded 1.1 mile loop trail looking for woodland sunflowers, Joe Pye weed, baneberry, and the numerous other plants this rich, diverse preserve offers. Please visit the Palos Restoration Project website for more information, and to RSVP.

Hey you! Yes, you!
Send over an inspiring photo or tell us something good. We want to hear from you!
We just might include it in a future Volunteer Ecosystem.
E-mail us!

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536 N. Harlem Avenue
River Forest, IL 60305

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