Lake Forest Open Lands maintains over 700 acres of open space, including woodlands, wetlands and several rare and globally-significant prairies, ravines and savannas. By restoring these properties to their native condition, the habitats are greatly improved for uncommon animals such as the Eastern Bluebird and the Great Egret, and wildflowers such as the Indian Paintbrush and Giant White Trillium. These nature preserves reach all the way from the lakefront to the more rural landscapes west of Waukegan Road.

Schedule of Volunteer Workdays

All workdays will be held from 9:00 am until 12:00 noon unless otherwise noted. Please wear tough clothing and appropriate footwear. We will supply work gloves.  

• September 6 - Middlefork Farm Nature Preserve.
  Trail access and parking are located on Middlefork Drive, west of Waukegan Road. Park on south side of road, near kiosk entrance to the preserve. 
• September 20 - McCormick Ravine Beach Clean-Up
  McCormick Ravine is located east of Sheridan Road and south of McCormick Drive, just north of the Old Fort Sheridan.
• October 4 - Mellody Farm Nature Preserve.
  Trail access and parking are located on the southwest corner of Deerpath and Waukegan Roads.
• Monday, October 13 - Everett Farm Nature Preserve.
  Trail access and parking are located on James Court and walk east to the trailhead and kiosk.
• November 8 -  North Shore Bike Path Prairie.
  Meet at the Fort Sheridan train station overflow parking lot on the north side of Old Elm Road.
• December 6 - West Skokie Nature Preserve.
  Trail access and parking are located on the south side of Westleigh Road, 1/4 mile east of Waukegan Road.

If you would like to join us on the above date, send your
e-mail address to Ryan London, Restoration Ecologist. It's also OK just to show up!