Stewardship Workdays
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Join us to get outdoors, get some exercise, learn new skills, meet new people and do some volunteer stewardship!
Workdays may be planned for any day of the week. This will enable us to accommodate the availability of more volunteers, and allow for activities that may pop up. (e.g., a mild winter and early spring cause invasive plants to start growing sooner). Workdays will be posted on our website approximately one month in advance. This information will also be posted on social media and sent to those who are on our volunteer e-mail list. To participate, please register in advance by contacting us at volunteer@heinzetrust.org or by calling us at 219-242-8558. For day of event information, call Eric at (219) 916-7625. |
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Volunteer Workdays
Native Plant Gardening
Most Tuesdays and Thursdays in August
8:00AM - 10:00AM
Join Stewardship Technician, Christine, on August 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, and 30 to help maintain our beautiful native plant garden. No need to register, just join us anytime between 8AM and 10AM in the native garden in front of our offices at Meadowbrook Nature Preserve in Valparaiso. We will be pulling weeds, mulching, and transplanting some plants. All needed gear will be provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own gardening gloves supplies.
Christine is a certified permaculture designer and educator and can teach you tips and tricks to use in your own garden!
For more information call the office at 219-242-8558 or email volunteer@heinzetrust.org.
Directions to Meadowbrook Nature Preserve: From Hwy 49: take Hwy 6 west to Meridian Rd. Turn left (south) on Meridian and travel approximately 1 mile to CR 700 N. Turn right (west) on 700. Travel another mile, Meadowbrook will be on your right hand side.
Most Tuesdays and Thursdays in August
8:00AM - 10:00AM
Join Stewardship Technician, Christine, on August 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, and 30 to help maintain our beautiful native plant garden. No need to register, just join us anytime between 8AM and 10AM in the native garden in front of our offices at Meadowbrook Nature Preserve in Valparaiso. We will be pulling weeds, mulching, and transplanting some plants. All needed gear will be provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own gardening gloves supplies.
Christine is a certified permaculture designer and educator and can teach you tips and tricks to use in your own garden!
For more information call the office at 219-242-8558 or email volunteer@heinzetrust.org.
Directions to Meadowbrook Nature Preserve: From Hwy 49: take Hwy 6 west to Meridian Rd. Turn left (south) on Meridian and travel approximately 1 mile to CR 700 N. Turn right (west) on 700. Travel another mile, Meadowbrook will be on your right hand side.
Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities
Native Garden Helper
Shirley Heinze Land Trust is in search for volunteers to help maintain the native garden outside our offices at Meadowbrook Nature Preserve in Valparaiso. Tools can be provided, but volunteers are welcome to bring their own. There are no set dates or times for this project. Volunteers are welcome to come as it fits in their schedule, we just ask you to let us know when you are coming by calling the office at 219-242-8558 or emailing volunteer@heinzetrust.org.
Adopt-a-Trail Program
This program is designed for volunteers to help maintain the 17 miles of hiking trails on Shirley Heinze Land Trust nature preserves. Individuals, families, or groups agree to maintain a section of trail at one of the preserves. Scouts, fraternities, sororities, and school groups are encouraged to participate. Volunteers are asked to make a 6-month commitment and may engage in the following activities:
Preserve Steward
Volunteers are available to apply for the Preserve Steward program after completing 6 months of Adopt-a-Trail. Preserve Stewards assume oversight responsibility for a specific Shirley Heinze Land Trust preserve. We need preserve stewards at all of our preserves, but currently these have the biggest need: Ivanhoe South Nature Preserve in Gary, Gordon and Faith Greiner, and Cressmoor Prairie Nature Preserves in Hobart, John Merle Coulter Nature Preserve in Portage, and the Little Calumet River Project Area in Chesterton.
Stewards may engage in some of the following activities:
If you are interested in any of these opportunities or have questions, please contact us at volunteer@heinzetrust.org or 219-242-8558.
Shirley Heinze Land Trust is in search for volunteers to help maintain the native garden outside our offices at Meadowbrook Nature Preserve in Valparaiso. Tools can be provided, but volunteers are welcome to bring their own. There are no set dates or times for this project. Volunteers are welcome to come as it fits in their schedule, we just ask you to let us know when you are coming by calling the office at 219-242-8558 or emailing volunteer@heinzetrust.org.
Adopt-a-Trail Program
This program is designed for volunteers to help maintain the 17 miles of hiking trails on Shirley Heinze Land Trust nature preserves. Individuals, families, or groups agree to maintain a section of trail at one of the preserves. Scouts, fraternities, sororities, and school groups are encouraged to participate. Volunteers are asked to make a 6-month commitment and may engage in the following activities:
- Walk the trail at least once a month
- Provide staff with routine updates on the current conditions and needs of the trail
- Pick up litter and debris
- Help maintain boardwalks, bridges, and benches
- Trim grass, brush, and low-hanging limbs
Preserve Steward
Volunteers are available to apply for the Preserve Steward program after completing 6 months of Adopt-a-Trail. Preserve Stewards assume oversight responsibility for a specific Shirley Heinze Land Trust preserve. We need preserve stewards at all of our preserves, but currently these have the biggest need: Ivanhoe South Nature Preserve in Gary, Gordon and Faith Greiner, and Cressmoor Prairie Nature Preserves in Hobart, John Merle Coulter Nature Preserve in Portage, and the Little Calumet River Project Area in Chesterton.
Stewards may engage in some of the following activities:
- Visit and monitor sites
- Help maintain trails and parking lots
- Assist with ecological management (requires training)
- Remove invasive species
- Monitor and report native species, interesting plants, birds, frogs, etc.
- Collect and distribute native seeds, plant trees, etc.
- Participate in workdays, events, and training opportunities associated with the preserve
If you are interested in any of these opportunities or have questions, please contact us at volunteer@heinzetrust.org or 219-242-8558.