Southland forest preserve volunteer opportunities

In south suburban Riverdale, volunteers are gaining skills, knowledge, and exercise while saving Illinois’s endangered plants and animals.

On the first Saturday of every month, volunteers descend on Whistler Woods Forest Preserve, 678 W. 134th Street, to help save 300-year old oaks. On the fourth Saturday, they come to Kickapoo Woods, 14498 S. Halsted, to collect seeds and sow unique prairie plants.

Called “habitat restoration,” these projects offer Southsiders the opportunity to make a difference and feel less guilty about environmental problems while seeing deer, ducks, frogs, opossums, and the occasional coyote.

The projects are sponsored by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County and three local groups: the Friends of the Chicago River, Friends of the Forest Preserves, and Audubon Chicago Region.

All events are free and open to the public. Both groups and individuals are welcome, including youth and seniors. For more information, contact Chris at 773-746-5223 or chris@fotfp.org.