Forest Preserve Plans Volunteer Mornings To Start Off 2026

WILL COUNTY, IL — If you're looking for a way to stay active during the cold winter months, you can sign up for the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Volunteer Morning programs. The 2026 first quarter programs have been announced, and volunteers are being sought, the preserve said in a news release.

Space is limited, and registration is required. To get started, complete a waiver online. For information, contact Emily Kenny at 815-722-7364 or volunteerservices@fpdwc.org.

Volunteer Morning programs are held 9 a.m. to noon and are for ages 10 and older. At this time of year, the main activity is brush control, the preserve said.

Dates and locations are:

January

• Tuesday, Jan. 6: Hammel Woods Preserve – DuPage River Access, Shorewood.
• Tuesday, Jan. 13: Old Plank Road Trail – Wolf Road Access, Mokena.
• Monday, Jan. 19: Rock Run Preserve – Black Road Access, Joliet, MLK Jr. Day of Service.
• Thursday, Jan. 22: Hickory Creek Preserve – Hickory Creek Junction, Frankfort Township.

February

• Tuesday, Feb. 3: Evans-Judge Preserve, Custer Township.
• Saturday, Feb. 7: Sugar Creek Preserve, Joliet.
• Thursday, Feb. 12: Rock Run Preserve – Paul V. Nichols Access, Joliet.
• Sunday, Feb. 22: Hickory Creek Preserve – LaPorte Road Access, Mokena.

March

• Sunday, Mar. 1: Monee Reservoir, Monee Township.
• Thursday, Mar. 5: Riverview Farmstead Preserve, Naperville.
• Saturday, Mar. 14: Hickory Creek Preserve – Hickory Creek Junction, Frankfort Township.
• Sunday, Mar. 22: Kankakee Sands Preserve, Custer Township.

Participants should wear clothes appropriate for the weather, getting dirty and being near a fire, the preserve said.