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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Meadowbrook Mondays
Mondays, Aug 12 - Sept 16
9am-Noon
Meadowbrook Nature Preserve
Valparaiso
Our summertime series of Volunteer Workdays at Meadowbrook Preserve includes projects for everyone's interests - dividing and transplanting native wildflowers and grasses, restoring the original Girl Scouts Butterfly Garden, transforming former fire pits into Story Gardens, weeding & mulching the Rain Garden, constructing small boardwalks from salvaged lumber, creating a meditation labyrinth, clearing weeds away from our signs on 700N for greater visibility, removing invasive species (vinca, oriental bittersweet, and more), as well as painting, cleaning, and organizing the Northern Lights lodge and transforming it into a community space for workshops, meetings, and classes. All skill levels are welcome!
This Monday, we'll be potting up native wildflower seedlings from plug trays into 2" pots so they can stretch out and grow strong healthy roots in time for autumn planting. Join us as we mix up our potting soil, fill the pots, transfer the plugs, and give them a good drink of water.
When we're done, we will hike one of our trails, loosen up our sore muscles, look for interesting birds, butterflies and plants, and enrich our community with personal connections.
We will provide all the necessary equipment and gear, 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 is 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 & Greenhouse Sprinkler Repair
Tuesdays, August 20 and 27
1pm - 4pm
Barker Woods Nature Preserve
Michigan City
The vintage white-picket fence at the trailhead of Barker Woods Nature Preserve is being 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 a few pieces, and finish the painting. Join us as we continue restoring the historic ambience at this beautiful 40-acre preserve!
If the weather isn't terribly hot, we will also be repairing the leaky sprinkler system in the greenhouse. Each of the joints needs to be taken apart and wrapped well with plumbers tape. When all the joints are sealed, we'll test the system and make sure it's good to go for planting native wildflower seeds this winter.
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, August 28, September 25, October 30, November 27
9am - 12pm EASTERN
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! After we work for a bit, we will hike the trails to see the varied habitats on the preserve.
Meet 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. Please 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.
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.
Clean Water Ambassadors Wanted
Save the Dunes is looking for Clean Water Ambassadors to promote clean waterways in Northwest Indiana. Volunteers will receive free training, distribute septic system outreach and education materials, encourage participation in a yard sign campaign during Septic Smart Week (Sept 16-20), and participate in check-ins and follow-up meetings. No experience is necessary and there is a $500 stipend for program participation and completion. Participants must live in an identified septic system neighborhood in Northwest Indiana; contact Save the Dunes to see if you qualify. Call 219-879-3564 x 122, or email cleanwaterambassador@savedunes.org
Mondays, Aug 12 - Sept 16
9am-Noon
Meadowbrook Nature Preserve
Valparaiso
Our summertime series of Volunteer Workdays at Meadowbrook Preserve includes projects for everyone's interests - dividing and transplanting native wildflowers and grasses, restoring the original Girl Scouts Butterfly Garden, transforming former fire pits into Story Gardens, weeding & mulching the Rain Garden, constructing small boardwalks from salvaged lumber, creating a meditation labyrinth, clearing weeds away from our signs on 700N for greater visibility, removing invasive species (vinca, oriental bittersweet, and more), as well as painting, cleaning, and organizing the Northern Lights lodge and transforming it into a community space for workshops, meetings, and classes. All skill levels are welcome!
This Monday, we'll be potting up native wildflower seedlings from plug trays into 2" pots so they can stretch out and grow strong healthy roots in time for autumn planting. Join us as we mix up our potting soil, fill the pots, transfer the plugs, and give them a good drink of water.
When we're done, we will hike one of our trails, loosen up our sore muscles, look for interesting birds, butterflies and plants, and enrich our community with personal connections.
We will provide all the necessary equipment and gear, 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 is 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 & Greenhouse Sprinkler Repair
Tuesdays, August 20 and 27
1pm - 4pm
Barker Woods Nature Preserve
Michigan City
The vintage white-picket fence at the trailhead of Barker Woods Nature Preserve is being 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 a few pieces, and finish the painting. Join us as we continue restoring the historic ambience at this beautiful 40-acre preserve!
If the weather isn't terribly hot, we will also be repairing the leaky sprinkler system in the greenhouse. Each of the joints needs to be taken apart and wrapped well with plumbers tape. When all the joints are sealed, we'll test the system and make sure it's good to go for planting native wildflower seeds this winter.
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, August 28, September 25, October 30, November 27
9am - 12pm EASTERN
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! After we work for a bit, we will hike the trails to see the varied habitats on the preserve.
Meet 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. Please 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.
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.
Clean Water Ambassadors Wanted
Save the Dunes is looking for Clean Water Ambassadors to promote clean waterways in Northwest Indiana. Volunteers will receive free training, distribute septic system outreach and education materials, encourage participation in a yard sign campaign during Septic Smart Week (Sept 16-20), and participate in check-ins and follow-up meetings. No experience is necessary and there is a $500 stipend for program participation and completion. Participants must live in an identified septic system neighborhood in Northwest Indiana; contact Save the Dunes to see if you qualify. Call 219-879-3564 x 122, or email cleanwaterambassador@savedunes.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.