One of the advantages to being a Friends volunteer is the opportunity to visit and help maintain a variety of natural areas – many on private property or with limited access.
There are opportunities for stewardship each month. Dates are listed below for planned workdays through the end of May. You don’t have to attend all of them, just choose the ones that fit your schedule.
Activities include cutting and removing invasive species, prepping for controlled burns, plant and insect inventories and more.
The most rewarding part is to return in a few months too see how the site has responded to management. We look forward to seeing you at a workday soon.
March
Every Tuesday: 10 a.m. – noon at Glenwood Woods
March 19: 10 a.m. – noon at Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site
March 20: 1 – 3 p.m. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary
April
Every Tuesday: 10 a.m. – noon at Glenwood Woods
April 9: 1 – 3 p.m. at the Wolf Preserve
April 16: 1 – 3 p.m. at Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site
April 17: 1 – 3 p.m. at the Adams Wildlife Sanctuary
April 23: 1 – 3 p.m. at Walden West
April 24: 1 – 3 at the Nipper Wildlife Sanctuary
April 30: Tour of Mary Lou Lael’s property
May
Every Tuesday: 10 a.m. – noon at Glenwood Woods
May 14: 1 – 3 p.m. at Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site
May 15: 1 – 3 p.m. at the Adams Wildlife Sanctuary
May 21: 1 – 3 p.m. at the Wolf Preserve
May 28: 1 – 3 p.m. at Walden West
May 29: 1 – 3 p.m. at the Nipper Wildlife Sanctuary surveying plants and insects
Places we work, and directions to each site:
Adams Wildlife Sanctuary: Join us at the Illinois Audubon Society’s sanctuary in Springfield. Meet in the sanctuary’s parking lot. Address: 2315 E Clear Lake Ave, Springfield, IL 62703.
Glenwood Woods: Join us for stewardship activities at this City Water Light and Power property on Lake Springfield every Tuesday morning. Meet at Lake Wood Drive, the first road east of Glenwood Middle School.
Nipper Wildlife Sanctuary: Join us at this prairie restoration outside Loami. From Springfield or Chatham, take E. Loami Road west to Lead Line Road. Turn south (left) on Lead Line to Withers Road. Turn West (right) on Withers. Go about one-half mile until you see the signs for the sanctuary. Meet in the parking lot at 9560 Withers Road.
Walden West: Join us at this privately-owned natural area near Manito. Meet at the Hardees at Walnut and Jefferson Streets in Springfield one hour before the time listed above.
Washington Park: Join George Rose in controlling exotic species in Springfield’s Washington Park. George will schedule workdays throughout the season when he is available. Call George at 787-1940 if you are interested.
Wolf Preserve: Join us for stewardship activities at our preserve near Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site. Meet at the Hardees at Walnut and Jefferson Streets in Springfield one half-hour before the time listed above.
Unless noted otherwise, call Vern LaGesse at (217) 525-1410 for more information. Workdays usually last about two hours and often include a tour. Work gloves and boots are recommended for all work days. All other equipment is provided.
Prescribed burns are weather-dependent and are NOT scheduled in advance. Call Vern to be included on his e-mail list of volunteers interested in helping burn. Due to weather conditions, there may be only a day’s notice prior to a burn being conducted. See our Stewardship page for more information.
Friends of the Sangamon Valley 