O’Hara Woods Nature Preserve Workday

in 7 days

When

Saturday, March 28th 2026 at 09:00 US/Central

Join The Conservation Foundation and Friends of O’Hara Woods volunteers to improve the ecological health of this State Nature Preserve.

Work may include trash clean-up, removal of invasive shrubs and plants, creating/burning brush piles, and harvesting native seeds. Please dress for the weather and conditions, which includes long pants, long-sleeves, and sturdy shoes. Bring a water bottle and work gloves if you have them. Safety glasses, extra gloves, and tools will be provided.

If you have any questions, please email Renae Frigo at rfrigo@theconservationfoundation.org.

Please meet in the parking lot at the end of Beverly J. Griffin Drive, on the east end of the preserve. Use this link to find the meeting location.

FAQ Did you know?

Conservation Invasives Community Sustainability Local

Where

Romeoville, IL, USA

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Organizer

The Conservation Foundation

Simply put, we save land and we save rivers, and we’ve been at it for more than 50 years. Founded in 1972, The Conservation Foundation is one of the region’s oldest and largest not-for-profit land and watershed conservation organizations dedicated to preserving and restoring open space, protecting rivers and watersheds and promoting stewardship of the environment in northeastern Illinois. We focus our work in DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will Counties, but have also had the honor of working on significant projects in Cook, DeKalb, Grundy and LaSalle Counties.

FAQ

What is the main ecological goal of this workday and why does my participation matter?

The workday focuses on improving the ecological health of the State Nature Preserve by removing invasive plants, reducing trash, creating brush piles for habitat, and harvesting native seeds for future restoration. Removing invasives (which outcompete native plants) and collecting seeds helps restore native plant diversity, which benefits pollinators, birds, and overall ecosystem resilience. Every volunteer accelerates habitat recovery: even small clearing and seed-harvest efforts make a measurable difference over time when combined with follow-up stewardship.

How can I prepare so I'm as effective as possible while volunteering?

Dress for the conditions: long pants, long sleeves, and sturdy closed-toe shoes or boots. Bring a filled water bottle and, if you have them, work gloves and a small pair of pruners. Wear sun protection and bring rain gear if needed. Arrive ready to learn and follow brief safety and technique instructions from site leaders — they will assign appropriate tasks and show correct methods. Being on time, willing to take direction, and staying for the full shift maximizes your impact.

How do I identify and remove invasive plants without harming native species?

Site leaders will point out target species, but common invasive species at Illinois preserves include buckthorn, honeysuckle, garlic mustard, and autumn olive. If you're unsure, ask before pulling. For small invasive seedlings, pull the entire root system if possible. For woody shrubs, use loppers to cut stems near the base and remove or stack the cut material as instructed. Avoid pulling or cutting plants you can't positively identify as invasive. Disturb the soil as little as possible to protect native roots and minimize erosion.

What are the best practices for harvesting native seeds ethically and usefully?

Collect seeds only from abundant native plant populations and follow leader guidance on target species. Use small paper or cloth bags (or provided containers) and label each with species, date, and location. Gently remove mature seed heads — avoid taking more than 10–20% of a single population to leave seed for wildlife and natural regeneration. Keep seeds cool and dry; if you can, spread them out to dry before handing them over for processing and storage.

What safety precautions should I take while working in the preserve (weather, ticks, tools)?

Stay hydrated, take breaks in the shade, and dress in layers for changing weather. Use bug spray with DEET or picaridin and perform thorough tick checks after the event; tuck pant cuffs into socks to help prevent ticks. Learn correct tool use from leaders: carry tools pointed down, pass tools handle-first, and keep a safe distance from others while cutting or swinging. Watch for poison ivy (three-leaf clusters) and avoid pulling unknown vines. Report injuries or medical concerns to organizers immediately.

Did you know?

Did you know pollinators help produce about 75% of the world’s leading food crops? Protecting and restoring pollinator habitat (flowers, native plants, seeds) directly supports food security and local ecosystems.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) – Pollination: https://www.fao.org/pollination/en/

Did you know native plants support far more native insects—especially caterpillars—than nonnative ornamentals? Those insects are the primary food for nestling birds, so planting or restoring native species boosts bird and overall wildlife populations.

National Wildlife Federation – Why Native Plants Matter: https://www.nwf.org/native-plants/why-native

Did you know invasive plants and animals are a leading cause of biodiversity loss and impose very large economic costs? Controlling invasives locally helps protect native species and saves communities money over the long term.

National Invasive Species Information Center (NISIC), U.S. Dept. of Agriculture: https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/subject/economic-impacts

Did you know using locally collected native seeds (local provenance) improves restoration success? Local genotypes are often better adapted to regional climate and soil conditions, increasing resilience of restored habitat.

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) – Plant Materials & Native Seed Considerations: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/plantsanimals/plants/

Did you know community volunteer restoration projects are a cost-effective way to improve habitat? Volunteer-driven invasive removals and native plantings regularly lead to measurable increases in native plant cover and pollinator activity within a few seasons.

The Nature Conservancy – Volunteer and community conservation: https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/volunteer/

Did you know spending time in nature is linked to better health and wellbeing? Research finds people who spend at least about 120 minutes in nature each week are more likely to report good health and psychological wellbeing—so volunteering outdoors helps both nature and you.

White MP et al., Scientific Reports (2019) – ‘Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing’: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-44097-3