Volunteer 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 ensure that you receive information on upcoming workdays and events, or for questions, contact Volunteer Coordinator Katy Crass at volunteer@heinzetrust.org or 219-242-8558. |
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Join the Environmental Restoration Group at the Beverly Shores Great Marsh
Date: Saturday, August 26 Time: 9am - 12pm Shirley Heinze Land Trust is partnering with the Environmental Restoration Group to remove invasive species on a portion of our property in Beverly Shores known as the Bellevue/Charing Trail. If you have not yet visited this property, it is worth your while to just stop by and see what a jewel it is. Staff will provide tools, safety equipment, and water. Please dress for the weather and prepared for sun, mosquitoes, ticks and some poison ivy. Wear sturdy shoes, long pants, long sleeves, a hat, and bring some insect repellent and a reusable water bottle. Directions: Meet at 520 East Bellevue, Beverly Shores. If driving, you will be directed to a parking area nearby or the driveway at 520 East Bellevue. For questions, contact Eric at ebird@heinzetrust.org or 219-242-8558. |
Wetlands in the Great Marsh provide critical habitat and ecosystem services
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Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities
Preserve Steward
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, Bur Oak Woods, 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:
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:
If you are interested in any of these opportunities or have questions, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Katy, at volunteer@heinzetrust.org or 219-242-8558.
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, Bur Oak Woods, 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
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
If you are interested in any of these opportunities or have questions, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Katy, at volunteer@heinzetrust.org or 219-242-8558.
