Volunteer Opportunities

The Natural Land Institute has many opportunities available for volunteer service. Please view the descriptions of the various jobs. Give us a call at (815) 964-6666 if you have any questions about taking part in protecting nature in our region.

Watch this video to learn what land stewardship/restoration means and what volunteers do at land stewardship/restoration service days:

Thank you to Julie Uram, former AmeriCorps member and 815 Outside Coordinator, for producing this video.

VOLUNTEER at Land Stewardship/Restoration Days

Pop-Up Stewardship Events (days vary) occur at various preserves throughout the year. As needs arise Stewardship Staff will send out an email to the “volunteer email list” about a Pop-Up Stewardship Event for a specific date, time and location. If you aren’t already getting these notifications ask to be added to this volunteer email list by sending an email to volunteer@naturalland.org.

You may contact NLI Land Stewardship Staff with questions:

• Kyle Hulbert, Director of Land Stewardship, 608/214-9215, khulbert@naturalland.org
• Grace Wieland, Field Biologist, gwieland@naturalland.org
• Cate Nelson, Natural Resources Technician, cnelson@naturalland.org

THIRD SATURDAY STEWARDSHIP DAY

• Silver Creek Woods Preserve | Third Saturday of the Month | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.. Contact Jim Akers to let him know you plan to help on a specific date. jnakers@hotmail.com. Location subject to change. Be sure to contact Jim to find out where the Third Saturday workday will be for a specific date.

LYNDON-AGNEW PRAIRIE NATURE PRESERVE

• The Whiteside County Natural Area Guardians (NAGs) host weekend workdays at this NLI preserve and other Whiteside County natural areas. Check their Facebook page to see their schedule: https://www.facebook.com/WhitesideNAGs, or email them to find out more: nagsofwcil@gmail.com.

For all workdays dress for the weather in layers. Wear pants, long sleeves and sturdy closed toe shoes or boots. It’s best to wear natural fiber outerwear due to potential burning of brush piles. Bring work gloves if you have them, plenty of water (with your water bottle), and snacks.

BE SURE TO CONTACT THE SITE STEWARD OR STEWARDSHIP STAFF TO CONFIRM A SPECIFIC DATE THAT YOU WANT TO HELP. All information subject to change.

Click here for the most recent Volunteer Land Stewardship Flyer

Community Outreach and Engagement Volunteer Opportunities

Contact Kim Johnsen, Director of Marketing & Membership about the following opportunities at kjohnsen@naturalland.org or 815/964-6666.

We need YOUR help with…

Planning, preparing for, setting up, working at and cleaning up NLI 2026 events:

• Rockton Pelican Fest (May 16)
• BioBlitz (June 19 & 20)
• Party on the Prairie (July 18)
• Fall Prairie Harvest Day (Sept. 26)
• Open Houses at preserves (May 5 and Sept. 9)
• OAKtober Hike (Oct. 24)

Assist with field trips and other learning programs

Participate on the Community Outreach & Engagement Committee

Hosting an NLI information table at community events:

• Spring Native Plant Sale at Country Road Greenhouses (May 16 and 17)
• Employee and volunteer fairs
• Garden Fair (June 6 & 7)

Leading a kids activity at community events:

• Pollinator Palooza (May 2)
• IBEW Family Safety Fair (June 13)

Administrative, clerical, or data entry type of work in the NLI office

Social media posts: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X

Resources

Benefits of volunteering for seniors: https://www.aginginplace.org/how-to-volunteer-as-a-senior/