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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Volunteer Workdays
Amphitheater Clean-Up & Trail Clearing (Bonus: Birding Hike!)
Saturday, March 23
9am-Noon
Meadowbrook Nature Preserve
Valparaiso, IN
The Amphitheater at Meadowbrook has been a special place since the time of the Girl Scouts, with ceremonies and fun events being held in this special spot. But, the recent wind storms and rough winter weather have caused trees and limbs to fall around the amphitheater, as well as the trails leading to it. We would love your help to remove the downed branches, dead brush, and invasive plants to open up and beautify the space.
If you have a chainsaw and are comfortable using it, feel free to bring it! Not comfortable with a chainsaw? We need your help, too! Meet us in the parking lot at Meadowbrook at 9am and we will hike to the Amphitheater together. We will provide water and granola bars, but in an effort to be "green" we encourage you to bring your reusable water bottle.
We will provide safety equipment including leather gloves, safety glasses, and tools. However, if you feel more comfortable with your own equipment, please feel free to bring it. Sturdy shoes and layers appropriate for the weather are a must.
Afterwards, join local birder, Jim Haniford, for a casual birding hike on the trails around Meadowbrook. On a recent solo hike, he spotted 21 species! As the weather continues to warm, more will move into the area as the begin their spring migrations.
To RSVP or for more information, email us at volunteer@heinzetrust.org or give us a call at 219-242-8558
Litter & Invasive Plant Removal
Monday, March 25
9am-Noon
Coulter Nature Preserve
County Line Road, 1/2 mile north of Rte 20
Portage, IN
Coulter Nature Preserve includes a diverse array of habitats including oak savanna, sand prairie, and interdunal wetlands. As stunning as this preserve is, it needs our help to remove human debris, as well as invasive and aggressive plant species. Bring a pal or come solo to lend a hand in our efforts to improve this significant natural area of Northwest Indiana.
We will provide all the necessary equipment and gear, as well as water bottles and granola bars. We encourage you to dress appropriately and wear waterproof boots as some areas may be muddy or wet. Please note that there is no restroom facility at Coulter.
After our hard work is complete, you are invited to join us on a hike with local amateur botanist Myrna Newgent. She is a Life Board Member of Shirley Heinze Land Trust. Much of her knowledge was acquired as a volunteer while searching for rare plants (especially orchids) in the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.
Parking at Coulter is limited, but there is ample parking on E 5th Ave immediately west of Coulter. Carefully cross County Line Road and meet us inside the entrance of the preserve.
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.
Lodge Spruce-Up
Monday, April 15
9am-Noon
Meadowbrook
Valparaiso, IN
Don't you just love spring cleaning? The smell of lemon-fresh cleaner, removing cobwebs from the corners, and viewing nature through sparkling clear windows? Spring is nearly here and we will be opening the Meadowbrook Lodge for our annual Spring Bus Tour, as well as other upcoming events. We would love extra hands to help us spruce up the lodge and its amenities for everyone to enjoy. Come join the fun and laughter as we scrub, swipe, scour, and sponge away the heaviness of winter in preparation for a beautiful and abundant spring!
When all our hard work is done, join Master Naturalist Maureen Kolbusz and Master Gardener Peggy Foster as they share the bird and wildflower knowledge on a short hike on our trails! For more information, visit us here.
To RSVP, please call the office at 219-242-8558 or email Christine at cmaloney@heinzetrust.org.
200+ Tire Removal
Monday - Wednesday, April 29 - May 1
9am-Noon
Walner Nature Preserve
Taylor Street, 1/2 mile west of N. Calumet Road
Chesterton, IN
With its newly installed kayak launch, old oxbow wetlands, extensive floodplain, and upland forest, Walner Nature Preserve is a remarkable area along the Little Calumet River corridor. Unfortunately, over many years, over 200 tires have been dumped near the railroad on the western boundary of the preserve into the woods. This will be a large tire removal project, but as the old saying goes, "many hands make light work". Bring your partner, co-workers, hiking buddies, and strong-bodied friends to pull tires out from under years of debris and from the wetlands.
We will provide all the necessary equipment and gear, as well as water and granola bars. We encourage you to bring your reusable water bottle and dress appropriately. Wear waterproof boots as some areas may be muddy or wet. Please note that there is no restroom facility at Walner.
After our hard work is complete, you are invited to join us on a hike to see other areas of the preserve, including the kayak launch and the riverbanks of the Little Calumet River.
For directions to Walner Nature Preserve, visit our website: http://www.heinzetrust.org/keith-walner-preserve.html
Parking at Walner is limited, but there is ample parking on Taylor Street immediately west of the preserve parking lot. We will meet at the parking lot at 9am and hike to our work site.
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.
Amphitheater Clean-Up & Trail Clearing (Bonus: Birding Hike!)
Saturday, March 23
9am-Noon
Meadowbrook Nature Preserve
Valparaiso, IN
The Amphitheater at Meadowbrook has been a special place since the time of the Girl Scouts, with ceremonies and fun events being held in this special spot. But, the recent wind storms and rough winter weather have caused trees and limbs to fall around the amphitheater, as well as the trails leading to it. We would love your help to remove the downed branches, dead brush, and invasive plants to open up and beautify the space.
If you have a chainsaw and are comfortable using it, feel free to bring it! Not comfortable with a chainsaw? We need your help, too! Meet us in the parking lot at Meadowbrook at 9am and we will hike to the Amphitheater together. We will provide water and granola bars, but in an effort to be "green" we encourage you to bring your reusable water bottle.
We will provide safety equipment including leather gloves, safety glasses, and tools. However, if you feel more comfortable with your own equipment, please feel free to bring it. Sturdy shoes and layers appropriate for the weather are a must.
Afterwards, join local birder, Jim Haniford, for a casual birding hike on the trails around Meadowbrook. On a recent solo hike, he spotted 21 species! As the weather continues to warm, more will move into the area as the begin their spring migrations.
To RSVP or for more information, email us at volunteer@heinzetrust.org or give us a call at 219-242-8558
Litter & Invasive Plant Removal
Monday, March 25
9am-Noon
Coulter Nature Preserve
County Line Road, 1/2 mile north of Rte 20
Portage, IN
Coulter Nature Preserve includes a diverse array of habitats including oak savanna, sand prairie, and interdunal wetlands. As stunning as this preserve is, it needs our help to remove human debris, as well as invasive and aggressive plant species. Bring a pal or come solo to lend a hand in our efforts to improve this significant natural area of Northwest Indiana.
We will provide all the necessary equipment and gear, as well as water bottles and granola bars. We encourage you to dress appropriately and wear waterproof boots as some areas may be muddy or wet. Please note that there is no restroom facility at Coulter.
After our hard work is complete, you are invited to join us on a hike with local amateur botanist Myrna Newgent. She is a Life Board Member of Shirley Heinze Land Trust. Much of her knowledge was acquired as a volunteer while searching for rare plants (especially orchids) in the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.
Parking at Coulter is limited, but there is ample parking on E 5th Ave immediately west of Coulter. Carefully cross County Line Road and meet us inside the entrance of the preserve.
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.
Lodge Spruce-Up
Monday, April 15
9am-Noon
Meadowbrook
Valparaiso, IN
Don't you just love spring cleaning? The smell of lemon-fresh cleaner, removing cobwebs from the corners, and viewing nature through sparkling clear windows? Spring is nearly here and we will be opening the Meadowbrook Lodge for our annual Spring Bus Tour, as well as other upcoming events. We would love extra hands to help us spruce up the lodge and its amenities for everyone to enjoy. Come join the fun and laughter as we scrub, swipe, scour, and sponge away the heaviness of winter in preparation for a beautiful and abundant spring!
When all our hard work is done, join Master Naturalist Maureen Kolbusz and Master Gardener Peggy Foster as they share the bird and wildflower knowledge on a short hike on our trails! For more information, visit us here.
To RSVP, please call the office at 219-242-8558 or email Christine at cmaloney@heinzetrust.org.
200+ Tire Removal
Monday - Wednesday, April 29 - May 1
9am-Noon
Walner Nature Preserve
Taylor Street, 1/2 mile west of N. Calumet Road
Chesterton, IN
With its newly installed kayak launch, old oxbow wetlands, extensive floodplain, and upland forest, Walner Nature Preserve is a remarkable area along the Little Calumet River corridor. Unfortunately, over many years, over 200 tires have been dumped near the railroad on the western boundary of the preserve into the woods. This will be a large tire removal project, but as the old saying goes, "many hands make light work". Bring your partner, co-workers, hiking buddies, and strong-bodied friends to pull tires out from under years of debris and from the wetlands.
We will provide all the necessary equipment and gear, as well as water and granola bars. We encourage you to bring your reusable water bottle and dress appropriately. Wear waterproof boots as some areas may be muddy or wet. Please note that there is no restroom facility at Walner.
After our hard work is complete, you are invited to join us on a hike to see other areas of the preserve, including the kayak launch and the riverbanks of the Little Calumet River.
For directions to Walner Nature Preserve, visit our website: http://www.heinzetrust.org/keith-walner-preserve.html
Parking at Walner is limited, but there is ample parking on Taylor Street immediately west of the preserve parking lot. We will meet at the parking lot at 9am and hike to our work site.
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.
Woodworkers Wanted
We are in need of folks with woodworking experience to construct Leopold benches, picnic tables, bird and bat houses, and boardwalks for several of our preserves. We have a cache of salvaged and scrap lumber, and would love to "be green" and repurpose it. If you have pieces of scrap lumber you'd like to donate to assist in the construction of these items, we'd greatly appreciate it as well!
For more information, contact Christine at cmaloney@heinzetrust.org or 219-916-8940.
We are in need of folks with woodworking experience to construct Leopold benches, picnic tables, bird and bat houses, and boardwalks for several of our preserves. We have a cache of salvaged and scrap lumber, and would love to "be green" and repurpose it. If you have pieces of scrap lumber you'd like to donate to assist in the construction of these items, we'd greatly appreciate it as well!
For more information, contact Christine at cmaloney@heinzetrust.org or 219-916-8940.
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.