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). Pop-up workdays are scheduled when volunteers are available to come. This allows us to be flexible with weather and preserve needs. This information will be shared on social media and through our volunteer newsletter, so make sure you are signed up! 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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Beverly Shores Invasive Species Removal
Saturday, October 19
9am-12pm
Beverly Shores Project Area
In our continuing partnership with the Beverly Shores Environmental Restoration Group (ERG), we will be holding a workday for invasive plant removal along the 20 acre Bellevue/Charing Wetland Trail, located a block west of Merrivale along Beverly Drive. This beautiful natural area has trailheads on Beverly Drive and East Bellevue. The workday will take place Saturday, August 17 between 9:00 a.m and 12 p.m. Park along East Bellevue just west of Merrivale. Parking permits will be obtained from the Marshal.
Due to limited parking, we recommend that you carpool, walk, or bicycle, if possible to the workday.
We will provide bottled water (but bring your own reusable water bottle if you prefer) and insect repellant, loppers, gloves, goggles, TecNu poison ivy protection, and other basic equipment. But come prepared with protective footwear, long pants, long sleeves, hats and sunscreen. There is some poison ivy and of course our other friends, mosquitos and ticks.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Terry Bonace of ERG at (219) 201-4541 (tbonace@gmail.com) or Christine Maloney of SHLT at (219) 242-8558 (cmaloney@heinzetrust.org).
Native Wildflower Seed Collecting
Meadowbrook Nature Preserve
Saturday, October 26 9am-12pm
Greiner Nature Preserve
Tuesday, October 22 1pm-3pm
Cressmoor Prairie
Tuesday, October 22 9am-12pm
Saturday, October 26 9am-12pm
Collecting native wildflower and grass seeds from our local prairies is an important way to ensure the survival of our native pollinator plants. Join our Stewardship Staff and learn about local wildflowers species, best practices for collecting seeds, and what plants would grow best in your yard.
Meet us in the parking lot to sign in. We'll hike back to the prairie together to collect seeds. All the necessary equipment and gear will be provided, as well as granola bars and water, although we encourage you to bring your own reusable water bottle. Please dress appropriately for the weather and come prepared with protective footwear, long pants, long sleeves, hats and sunscreen. There may be poison ivy, mosquitoes and ticks, but we will have bug spray and TecNu on hand for protection.
To RSVP, please call the office at 219-242-8558 or email Christine at cmaloney@heinzetrust.org. For information about last minute cancellations, please check Facebook.
Barker Woods Historic Fence Restoration
Tuesday, October 22
1pm-4pm
Barker Woods
Michigan City
The vintage white-picket fence at the trailhead of Barker Woods Nature Preserve is being lovingly and painstakingly restored to its original splendor. Many dedicated volunteers have worked together to remove the rotted pieces, salvage the good ones, reassemble the sections, install new posts, recreate the arched gates, and paint the slats. We still need to reinstall the gates, replace some pieces, and finish the painting. Join us as we make a final push to restore the historic ambience at this beautiful 40-acre preserve!
There are also a few other projects that need attention: digging out and restoring the old windmill blades, removing invasive plant species, harvesting composted leaf litter for growing seedlings, and patching the straw-bale mortar. If any of these projects interest you, stop by! We'd love to have your help!
We will provide all the necessary equipment and gear, as well as granola bars and water, although we encourage you to bring your reusable water bottle. Please dress appropriately for the weather and come prepared with protective footwear, long pants, long sleeves, hats and sunscreen. There is some poison ivy and, of course, our other friends - mosquitoes and ticks.
To RSVP, please call the office at 219-242-8558 or email Christine at cmaloney@heinzetrust.org. For information about last minute cancellations, please check Facebook.
Lydick Bog Invasive Species Removal
Wednesdays, October 30 and November 27
9am-12pm EASTERN TIME
Lydick Bog
South Bend
Join us at Lydick Bog as we continue to remove invasive plants such as bush honeysuckle and multiflora rose that shade out spring wildflowers and hinder the growth of saplings. The preserve is in the early years of our restoration efforts, so we need your help! Afterwards, we will hike the trails to see the varied habitats on the preserve.
Meet us in the parking lot at Lydick Bog. We will provide all the necessary equipment and gear, as well as granola bars and water, but we encourage you to bring your reusable water bottle.
Dress appropriately for the weather and wear waterproof boots if you have them as some areas may be muddy. Long pants and sleeves are suggested to protect against ticks, mosquitos, and poison ivy.
Please call the office to RSVP at 219-242-8558 or email Christine at cmaloney@heinzetrust.org.
Saturday, October 19
9am-12pm
Beverly Shores Project Area
In our continuing partnership with the Beverly Shores Environmental Restoration Group (ERG), we will be holding a workday for invasive plant removal along the 20 acre Bellevue/Charing Wetland Trail, located a block west of Merrivale along Beverly Drive. This beautiful natural area has trailheads on Beverly Drive and East Bellevue. The workday will take place Saturday, August 17 between 9:00 a.m and 12 p.m. Park along East Bellevue just west of Merrivale. Parking permits will be obtained from the Marshal.
Due to limited parking, we recommend that you carpool, walk, or bicycle, if possible to the workday.
We will provide bottled water (but bring your own reusable water bottle if you prefer) and insect repellant, loppers, gloves, goggles, TecNu poison ivy protection, and other basic equipment. But come prepared with protective footwear, long pants, long sleeves, hats and sunscreen. There is some poison ivy and of course our other friends, mosquitos and ticks.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Terry Bonace of ERG at (219) 201-4541 (tbonace@gmail.com) or Christine Maloney of SHLT at (219) 242-8558 (cmaloney@heinzetrust.org).
Native Wildflower Seed Collecting
Meadowbrook Nature Preserve
Saturday, October 26 9am-12pm
Greiner Nature Preserve
Tuesday, October 22 1pm-3pm
Cressmoor Prairie
Tuesday, October 22 9am-12pm
Saturday, October 26 9am-12pm
Collecting native wildflower and grass seeds from our local prairies is an important way to ensure the survival of our native pollinator plants. Join our Stewardship Staff and learn about local wildflowers species, best practices for collecting seeds, and what plants would grow best in your yard.
Meet us in the parking lot to sign in. We'll hike back to the prairie together to collect seeds. All the necessary equipment and gear will be provided, as well as granola bars and water, although we encourage you to bring your own reusable water bottle. Please dress appropriately for the weather and come prepared with protective footwear, long pants, long sleeves, hats and sunscreen. There may be poison ivy, mosquitoes and ticks, but we will have bug spray and TecNu on hand for protection.
To RSVP, please call the office at 219-242-8558 or email Christine at cmaloney@heinzetrust.org. For information about last minute cancellations, please check Facebook.
Barker Woods Historic Fence Restoration
Tuesday, October 22
1pm-4pm
Barker Woods
Michigan City
The vintage white-picket fence at the trailhead of Barker Woods Nature Preserve is being lovingly and painstakingly restored to its original splendor. Many dedicated volunteers have worked together to remove the rotted pieces, salvage the good ones, reassemble the sections, install new posts, recreate the arched gates, and paint the slats. We still need to reinstall the gates, replace some pieces, and finish the painting. Join us as we make a final push to restore the historic ambience at this beautiful 40-acre preserve!
There are also a few other projects that need attention: digging out and restoring the old windmill blades, removing invasive plant species, harvesting composted leaf litter for growing seedlings, and patching the straw-bale mortar. If any of these projects interest you, stop by! We'd love to have your help!
We will provide all the necessary equipment and gear, as well as granola bars and water, although we encourage you to bring your reusable water bottle. Please dress appropriately for the weather and come prepared with protective footwear, long pants, long sleeves, hats and sunscreen. There is some poison ivy and, of course, our other friends - mosquitoes and ticks.
To RSVP, please call the office at 219-242-8558 or email Christine at cmaloney@heinzetrust.org. For information about last minute cancellations, please check Facebook.
Lydick Bog Invasive Species Removal
Wednesdays, October 30 and November 27
9am-12pm EASTERN TIME
Lydick Bog
South Bend
Join us at Lydick Bog as we continue to remove invasive plants such as bush honeysuckle and multiflora rose that shade out spring wildflowers and hinder the growth of saplings. The preserve is in the early years of our restoration efforts, so we need your help! Afterwards, we will hike the trails to see the varied habitats on the preserve.
Meet us in the parking lot at Lydick Bog. We will provide all the necessary equipment and gear, as well as granola bars and water, but we encourage you to bring your reusable water bottle.
Dress appropriately for the weather and wear waterproof boots if you have them as some areas may be muddy. Long pants and sleeves are suggested to protect against ticks, mosquitos, and poison ivy.
Please call the office to RSVP at 219-242-8558 or email Christine at cmaloney@heinzetrust.org.
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.