​Restoring an ecosystem involves help from volunteers ​like you!

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Volunteer Opportunities

Conservation and habitat restoration are part of Nachusa Grasslands' core mission and one of the preserve's greatest needs. Initially, the first preserve acquisitions contained small, rich, remnant hills separated by farm fields. Over the past several decades, these agricultural lands have been restored to prairie. This work is ongoing. Of all these opportunities, our greatest need is for folks willing to help with restoration, mainly seed collection and weed management.

To volunteer at Nachusa Grasslands, there is no need to complete a volunteer application. Volunteers have diverse backgrounds, wide ranging skills and abilities, and, above all, a strong desire to make a difference.

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Getting Started
Volunteers participate in many, if not all, aspects of managing and restoring habitat, leading tours, and running events. Volunteers are treated as colleagues and are given training at the same level as staff. Volunteers may even work with chainsaws, tractors, and participate in controlled burns if they have the ability and pass safety and online training. Specific volunteer tasks are shown below. 

Thursday and Saturday workdays are a great way to begin volunteering and find out what happens at Nachusa. Activities vary depending on the time of year and weather conditions. Learn more about Work Days Here. 

During controlled burn season in March and April, no regular volunteer workdays will take place, so that personnel, vehicles, and equipment are always available for prescribed fires. Check back in April for sign-up opportunities.

​​Join Our Weekly Volunteer Workday E-Mail List!
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Volunteer Workday Schedule

Advanced Stewardship​
Volunteers who have the desire to lead restoration efforts are encouraged to become land stewards. Information about stewardship and how to become one can be found on the Stewardship page.  

College Students
College students seeking extra credit or fulfilling class requirements are welcome to participate in workdays from May through early November. Potential volunteer activities include weed removal and seed collection. 

If you are planning on attending a workday, please discuss your participation with your instructor. You do not need to telephone or email us, but you do need to sign up in advance.

During the late fall and winter, Nachusa staff and trained volunteers focus on tree and brush removal. Because of safety considerations, workdays are not open to students seeking extra credit or fulfilling class requirements from early November to February. No workdays are conducted in March or April.

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Seasonal Volunteer Activities

Fall

• ​Harvesting Seeds for Grasslands Restoration​
• Processing and Storing Seeds
• Weeding and Brush Clearing
• Serving on a Controlled Fire Crew (Certification Required)

Winter

• Planting Seeds
• Clearing Trees and Brush
• Applying Herbicide to Invasive Trees and Shrubs

Spring

• ​Harvesting Seeds for Grasslands Restoration
• Weeding and Brush Clearing
• Serving on a Controlled Fire Crew (Certification Required)

Summer

• Harvesting Seeds for Grasslands Restoration​
• Weeding
• Applying Herbicide to Invasive Trees and Shrubs
• Visitor Center Docent
• Species Monitors

Year Round

• Stewarding Units
• Leading or Attending Workdays
• Leading Tours (public tours cancelled for 2020)
• Equipment/Vehicle Maintenance
• Woodworking and Construction
• Giving Presentations
• Coordinating or Helping with Special Events, including Autumn on the Prairie (cancelled for 2020)
• Developing Publications and Marketing Strategies
• Raising Funds
• Taking Photographs & Video
• Stream Monitoring
• Social Media (website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & Blog)

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UPDATED 2/2021