According to Ron and Crystal Stout, two of our incredible volunteers: “the natural world, the goodness of people, and your own capabilities” are what you can learn as a volunteer.
The Stouts started volunteering with HLC through the Tree Stewards training program. “It sounded like a wonderful opportunity to learn and to meet others who care about the environment like us.”
Now, a year later, they have become an invaluable part of conservation. “There are kind and friendly people in this group who genuinely care about nature and who are happy to share their knowledge with others. We also enjoy helping the environment and saving native species,” they said.
And help the environment they have! In 2024, the Stouts volunteered with HLC 24 times for a combined total of 64 hours. That’s almost three straight days of making Southern Illinois a better place for water, wildlife, and the community.
They even recently spent their wedding anniversary volunteering at Poag Sand Prairie, removing invasive honeysuckle from the prairie. “We love spending time together, and a volunteer work day just happened to fall on the same day… It’s uplifting to be in nature and brightens our day knowing that there are so many compassionate people out there who care and feel the same way we do… [it] goes to show that any day is a good day to volunteer.”
We are grateful to the Stouts for sharing their love of nature with the community.
Any day is a good day to volunteer.