Be a part of river and forest revitalization by joining an inspiring movement of volunteers gathering to restore this special site along the Little Calumet River. Learn what it takes to restore diverse wildlife, trees, wildflowers, and health in our forest preserves and our river system. Our goal is to grow a community of people who will become caretakers and stewards through on-going education and training.

Click here to register!

Rich with native plants and animals, Somme Woods East is part of the visionary Next Century Conservation Plan to ensure that thousands of acres of healthy woodlands, wetlands, and prairies continue to exist and thrive in our forest preserves. 

Forest Glen is part of the Lower North Branch Preserves. This unique woodland, savanna, and floodplain ecosystem needs help from our volunteer community to remove invasive plants, collect and distribute native seeds, and reduce erosion.

Spend your Monday lunches on the Chicago Riverwalk and gain perspective on river related topics.  We invite you to join us every Monday from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. to hear an expert tell you a little bit about the river, wildlife, or architecture along the river.  It is free and open to the public.  Join us on the museum's outdoor plaza on the Riverwalk. 

Join the North Branch Restoration Project and help the Centennial Volunteers restore this oak woodland to its former beauty!

Spend your Monday lunches on the Chicago Riverwalk and gain perspective on river related topics.  We invite you to join us every Monday from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. to hear an expert tell you a little bit about the river, wildlife, or architecture along the river.  It is free and open to the public.  Join us on the museum's outdoor plaza on the Riverwalk. 

Join us as we install 4,500 native plants along the banks of the North Shore Channel. We will be working across 4 days in June and July. Volunteers may join for a half day, full day, or more than one. Lunch and all necessary equipment will be provided.   

Volunteer waitlist now available.

Forest Glen is part of the Lower North Branch Preserves. This unique woodland, savanna, and floodplain ecosystem needs help from our volunteer community to remove invasive plants, collect and distribute native seeds, and reduce erosion issues.

Register here!

Somme Woods East, the furthest east of the Sommes, has bur and white oak woodlands with massive old oaks, open marshes, and ephemeral ponds. Rich with native plants and animals, they are being restored to their original beauty. This site is part of the visionary Next Century Conservation Plan to ensure that thousands of acres of healthy woodlands, wetlands and prairies continue to exist and thrive in our forest preserves. Be a part of river and forest revitalization by joining an inspiring movement of volunteers gathering to restore this special site along the Chicago River. Learn what it takes to restore diverse wildlife, trees, wildflowers, and health in our forest preserves and our river system. Our goal is to grow a community of people who will become caretakers and stewards through on-going education and training.

Register here!

Spend your Monday lunches on the Chicago Riverwalk and gain perspective on river related topics.  We invite you to join us every Monday from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. to hear an expert tell you a little bit about the river, wildlife, or architecture along the river.  It is free and open to the public.  Join us on the museum's outdoor plaza on the Riverwalk.