Volunteers Keep Natural Areas Thriving

When federal priorities shifted this year and funding for conservation work was reduced, something troubling happened. Our staff could no longer visit our natural areas as often. We couldn’t run as many volunteer days. And for a moment, it felt like the places you care about — the wetlands, prairies, trails, and gardens you help protect — might not receive the attention they need to stay healthy.

Then something wonderful happened.

A group of people stepped forward. People who love these places just as much as you do. People who said, “I can help.”

They became our Volunteer Site Stewards.

These volunteers take on an extraordinary role. They walk the trails. They check on plants and wildlife. They remove invasive species and pick up trash. They alert staff when they see something that needs attention. They document what they see through photos, notes, and simple observations that help guide our decisions throughout the year.

Their impact has been remarkable.

At Arlington Wetlands, a steward noticed a large tree that had fallen across a trail. Because they reported it right away, visitors were able to enjoy that path again within hours, rather than waiting weeks.

At Poag Sand Prairie, stewards spotted invasive plants moving into new areas. Their early warning allowed staff to organize the next volunteer day around removing those plants before they spread further.

One steward, Jon Jonas, led Scout Troop 94 in planting native seedlings around newly created frog ponds. He also supported an Eagle Scout project that focused on removing invasive sericea lespedeza from the prairie.

At the Exploration Garden, stewards cared for plants from a garden grant that were struggling in the summer drought. They helped them survive until conditions improved in the fall, when the plants were finally able to go into the ground.

Because of volunteers like these, and supporters like you,  our natural areas remain safe, open, and thriving even during challenging times.