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 particpate, please register in advance by contacting Volunteer Coordinator Katy Botbyl at volunteer@heinzetrust.org or by calling us at 219-242-8558. For day of event information, call (219) 916-7625. |
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Volunteer Workdays
Saturday, April 28 from 9am - noon
Preserve Beautification
Bayless Dune Nature Preserve
Volunteers and staff will work together to continue restoration of this high-dune habitat in Miller. Come help us remove invasive species including tree of heaven, oriental bittersweet, and garlic mustard.
Sunday, May 6 at 10am-1pm EASTERN
Invasive Species Removal at Lydick Bog
We'll be pulling garlic mustard if it is ready, removing other invasives with loppers. Dress for muddy conditions and wear sturdy boots. A walk of about 1/2 mile is required to get to the work area. Gloves and eyewear will be provided. See directions to site above.
Directions to Lydick Bog:
From the east, take the South Bend Bypass/US 31 to US 20. Go west on US 20 approximately one mile. Look for event signs on the south side of the road.
From the west, take US 20 east. The entrance is about 1/2 half mile east of Quince. Look for event signs on the south (right) side of the road.
Friday, May 11 from 2pm - 3:30pm
Garlic Mustard Removal
Meadowbrook Nature Preserve
Join volunteer coordinator, Katy, on a hunt for garlic mustard. We will be removing the invasive by hand while enjoying a leisurely hike through the preserve.
Preserve Beautification
Bayless Dune Nature Preserve
Volunteers and staff will work together to continue restoration of this high-dune habitat in Miller. Come help us remove invasive species including tree of heaven, oriental bittersweet, and garlic mustard.
Sunday, May 6 at 10am-1pm EASTERN
Invasive Species Removal at Lydick Bog
We'll be pulling garlic mustard if it is ready, removing other invasives with loppers. Dress for muddy conditions and wear sturdy boots. A walk of about 1/2 mile is required to get to the work area. Gloves and eyewear will be provided. See directions to site above.
Directions to Lydick Bog:
From the east, take the South Bend Bypass/US 31 to US 20. Go west on US 20 approximately one mile. Look for event signs on the south side of the road.
From the west, take US 20 east. The entrance is about 1/2 half mile east of Quince. Look for event signs on the south (right) side of the road.
Friday, May 11 from 2pm - 3:30pm
Garlic Mustard Removal
Meadowbrook Nature Preserve
Join volunteer coordinator, Katy, on a hunt for garlic mustard. We will be removing the invasive by hand while enjoying a leisurely hike through the preserve.
Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities
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 the Volunteer Coordinator, Katy, at volunteer@heinzetrust.org or 219-242-8558.
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 the Volunteer Coordinator, Katy, at volunteer@heinzetrust.org or 219-242-8558.
