Resources

Want to help run this group by organizing restoration workdays, nature hikes, and camping trips in the Chicagoland region? Contact habitat2030@gmail.com



Becoming a Cook County Workday Leader, Site Steward, and Other Roles
Finding (and Landing) a Conservation Job
Other Volunteer Organizations

Spread the Word


Becoming a Cook County Workday Leader, Site Steward, and Other Roles

Friends of the Forest Preserves put together a helpful page about the Path to Stewardship program. The Path to Stewardship is open to any volunteer wanting to increase their dedication to restoring healthy nature. Field experience, classes, and mentoring give you the qualifications you need to become a leader. Regardless of your age, schedule, or fitness level there are ways you can contribute!

While you need no training to come out as a regular workday volunteer, becoming a workday leader requires 3 basic classes. These classes are free and run through the Forest Preserves of Cook County (FPCC). They include:
*Managing Invasive Species
*Group Leadership
*Brush Pile Building & Burning

Sign up at fpdcc.com/volunteer.

Though the requirements say you need 30 volunteer hours, we may be able to get a current steward to vouch for you. Report as many hours as you can using their online system, and let us know if you run into any problems or are short hours. Becoming a steward just requires those three classes + time as an apprentice under a current steward. Other training FPCC offers include using a brushcutter, chainsaw safety and use, first aid/CPR, and herbicide use in natural areas, including licensing. These are not only helpful (or sometimes required) classes as a volunteer, but are also opportunities to gain skills looked upon highly for certain jobs in this field.

The FPCC’s Next Century Conservation Plan calls for at least 400 stewards to guide thousands of volunteers to restore and maintain the ecological health of 30,000 acres of land in Cook County within the next 25 years…will you be one of them?


Finding (and Landing) a Conservation Job
The Chicago Wilderness Next Generation of Conservation Leaders Working Group developed a 1-pager titled Five Things You Can Do to Jumpstart Your Environmental Career in the Greater Chicago Region.” The five things are:

  1. Volunteer
  2. Network
  3. Become Certified
  4. Learn
  5. Have Fun!

CENThe flyer has a list of resources included. If you’re looking for a job, the oft-refreshed job board page for Chicago is the Chicagoland Environmental Network website. Although your best way to finding a job is likely through networking, the majority of regional conservation-related jobs are posted on this website.


Other Volunteer Organizations

Wild Things Community, Find Your Spot: Engage with nature at a preserve you love! Explore the Wild Things Community’s map of Chicago Region sites where volunteer groups nurture, restore, and build community around nature.

See also: List of Ecological Monitoring Programs, Volunteer for Nature Map

Spread the Word
Download a flyer to put up at your local coffee shop, outdoors store, or other locale to spread the word about Habitat 2030 (PDF or JPG).