Social Distancing Workdays
Thursday and Saturday Workdays
November 17, 2020, Message from Bill Kleiman, project director of Nachusa Grasslands:
Due to the high infection rate for COVID-19 statewide and in our local counties, we will cancel the Thursday and Saturday workdays for three weeks, until December 10.
Thursday and Saturday workdays are a great way to begin volunteering and find out what happens at Nachusa.
COVID-19 Safety Protocols are in effect for all workdays and other volunteer events until further notice.
Advance registration for workdays is required: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080945afa82baafb6-nachusa8.
Volunteers meet at the Visitor Center prior to workdays.
Check out the answers to these commonly asked questions and the photos below to learn more about our workdays.
Due to the high infection rate for COVID-19 statewide and in our local counties, we will cancel the Thursday and Saturday workdays for three weeks, until December 10.
Thursday and Saturday workdays are a great way to begin volunteering and find out what happens at Nachusa.
COVID-19 Safety Protocols are in effect for all workdays and other volunteer events until further notice.
Advance registration for workdays is required: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080945afa82baafb6-nachusa8.
Volunteers meet at the Visitor Center prior to workdays.
Check out the answers to these commonly asked questions and the photos below to learn more about our workdays.
When and where do Workdays take place?
- In 2020, we will be offering both Thursday and Saturday workdays, dependent on the availability of steward leaders. Thursday leaders will define their own start and stop times. Saturday workdays will be from 9 am to noon.
- Meet at the Nachusa Grasslands Visitor Center, 2075 Lowden Road in Franklin Grove, IL.
- Each week's plans are are posted on our Calendar, Twitter feed, and Friends of Nachusa Grasslands Facebook page two or three days in advance of workdays with open slots.
What can i expect to do on a workday?
- An experienced steward will plan and lead the workday, making sure that everyone understands the day's tasks and follows safety protocols.
- Training, equipment, and snacks will be provided.
- From November through May, most Nachusa Grasslands workdays involve:
o Felling trees with chainsaws by trained sawyers
o Loppering branches and shrubs
o Applying herbicide
o Dragging limbs and vines to brush piles
o Burning brush piles when conditions permit - From June through October, most Nachusa Grasslands workdays involve:
o Collecting seeds, using scissors and snips
o Pulling, digging, or clipping weeds
o Applying herbicide - Depending on the day's activities, the effort required can range from easy to strenuous.
- The safety of everyone involved is always our first priority, and each participant must remain aware of potential hazards when volunteering at the preserve.
- Download Nachusa's Workday Information.
- Check out The Nature Conservancy website to learn more about Nachusa workdays.
what should i wear to a workday?
- For all workdays, wear long pants, sturdy footwear, socks, a hat, and work gloves.
- Face masks are required when gathering before the workday.
- Masks are not required when participants are out in the field as long as they stay six feet apart.
- During winter, wear adequate cold weather gear: heavy jacket, sweatshirt, long pants, boots, gloves, and a hat.
- You may encounter multiflora rose and other thorny plants, so choose old clothing that you don't care about snagging.
- For all work in wooded areas, eye wear is required. If you do not have eye wear, safety glasses will be provided to you.
- For all tasks requiring the use of hand cutting tools (loppers, snips, scissors, bow saws, etc.), work gloves are required.
What should I bring to a workday?
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, bring
o Masks (required)
o Work gloves (required)
o Water and snacks (Food and drinks will not be provided to share as long as the COVID virus is an issue.) - Wear sunscreen in the summer and mosquito spray when you work in wooded areas.
- If you are coming for extra credit, bring the form or paper that the steward needs to sign. It is your responsibility to make sure this gets done.
- Bring a lunch if you would like to join other volunteers, stewards, scientists, and crew members at noon.
How do I sign up in advance to attend a workday?
- To volunteer at Nachusa Grasslands, you don't have to complete a volunteer application or attend an Introductory Volunteer Session, but you do need to register in advance to attend a workday via SignUpGenius (https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080945afa82baafb6-nachusa8).
- You will also need to sign the The Nature Conservancy Liability Release for Volunteer Activities if you have not already done so.
- Our volunteers have diverse backgrounds, wide ranging skills and abilities, and, above all, a strong desire to make a difference.
WHEN CAN COLLEGE STUDENTS ATTEND WORKDAYS TO EARN EXTRA CREDIT OR FULFILL A CLASS REQUIREMENT?
- College students seeking extra credit or fulfilling class requirements are welcome to participate in workdays from early May through early November. Stewardship activities usually include weed management and seed collecting.
- During the late fall, winter, and early spring, Nachusa staff and trained volunteers focus on tree and brush removal involving heavy equipment. Because of safety considerations, workdays are not open to students seeking extra credit or fulfilling class requirements from early November to February.
- Note that no workdays will take place during controlled burn season in March and April.
- If you are planning on attending a workday, please discuss your participation with your instructor. You do not need to telephone or email us.
See our volunteer opportunities page for more details.
are there workday age requirements?
- During the months of November to February, special safety protocols are followed, and children under age 18 may not participate.
- From May to October, children ages 10 to 17 should be accompanied by an adult.
- Younger children may find the workday tasks tedious or difficult, and stewards cannot usually accommodate their interests and abilities.
what are the SPECIAL safety protocols for late fall and winter workdays?
- Safety measures, age requirements, and college student restrictions have been set up for late fall and winter workdays.
- See our Workdays - November to February page for details.
in addition to workdays, are there other volunteer opportunities at nachusa?
Additional volunteer opportunities at Nachusa include:
- Serving on a prescribed burn crew (requires certification)
- Monitoring streams and species from blooms to insects to birds
- Leading hikes and tours (cancelled for 2020)
- Serving as a Visitor Center docent
- Sharing photography, art, or writing
- Maintaining equipment, vehicles, and facilities
- Assisting with woodworking and construction projects
- Giving presentations
- Coordinating or helping with special events
- Developing publications and marketing strategies
- Raising funds
When and how are workdays and other nachusa events cancelled?
- Workdays may be cancelled when special events are taking place at Nachusa Grasslands, during controlled burns, or due to inclement weather conditions: temperatures below 15°, high winds, rain, deep snow, or icy roads.
- Whenever possible, cancellations are posted on our Calendar, Twitter feed, and Friends of Nachusa Grasslands Facebook page.
Workday Photo Gallery
The pictures below describe a typical May-November workday from start to finish. Follow the links below to sign-up and learn more about our COVID-19 restrictions. We hope to see you soon!
1. Before volunteers meet at the Visitor Center, the workday leader gathers all the necessary sanitized equipment needed. Volunteers must bring their own work gloves, mask, water, and snacks. 
2. Volunteers meet at the Visitor Center and learn about the days tasks. Masks and social distancing are required at the briefing. When driven to the workday location, volunteers will remain masked. |
3. Volunteers will be led a specific area. Social distancing will be maintained, but masks are not required. We strongly suggest wearing long pants, long sleeves, and sturdy shoes. 
4. Experience is not required, only the willingness to get outside and help us! The workday leader will show you how to perform the task. Likely tasks include weed removal, seed harvesting, or brush clearing. |
5. Volunteers will work throughout the morning, taking breaks as needed. Our leaders are very knowledgeable will make sure each workday is engaging and educational.
6. At the end of the workday, equipment will be collected and sanitized, brush or weeds piled up, and seeds transferred. Volunteers are welcome to stay after the workday and enjoy the rest of Nachusa. |
To be notified of each workday's plans, join our weekly Workday E-Mail List and/or our Facebook page.
If your workday questions are not answered above or on another website page (including our general Nachusa FAQs), please Contact Us.
UPDATED 11/2020