What We Do
Join the legacy of forest preserve volunteers who serve the preserves in many ways – starting with the founding of the Forest Preserve District more than 90 years ago. The Forest Preserve District of Cook County is the first and largest urban natural areas system in the nation and has grown to 68,000 acres – 11 percent of the land area of Cook County.

Visionary citizen volunteers helped establish the Forest Preserve District for the purpose of protecting and preserving the flora, fauna, and scenic beauties of the District for the education, pleasure, and recreation of the public. It is an innovative concept that protects rare woodland, wetland, savanna, and prairie habitat for us and generations to come.

Volunteers are as vital today as they were when the District was founded. Keep the legacy alive by tackling important projects from removing invasive plants species and sowing seeds to cleanups and trail maintenance.

It's easy to find your role and get involved.

Volunteer stewards have been helping maintain healthy ecosystems for the past 30 years. The clean streams committee has worked for four generations to enhance the quality of the District's eight rivers. More than 7,000 volunteers serve the preserves in many ways every year.

Since 1915, the Forest Preserve District of Cook County has acquired, restored, and managed lands for the purpose of preserving open space for the education, pleasure, and recreation of the public. The Forest Preserve District is one of the oldest and largest forest preserves in the United States, protecting over 68,000 acres of land.

Currently, volunteers are working on over 70 land management sites throughout the Forest Preserve District assisting the District's staff with the control of invasive, herbaceous and woody species, scientific monitoring, trash collection, seed collection and dispersal, and prescribed burns.

Search this site for volunteer opportunities near you. Contact the organizers or call the Volunteer Resources Team at (773) 631-1790 for a wide range of opportunities available all over the county.