Volunteer Opportunities 

Volunteers are a vital part of Lake Katherine. Join a group of enthusiastic and talented volunteers. No previous experience is required. There are numerous ways you can volunteer and become part of the Lake Katherine Family.

 

Welcome Desk volunteers generally work 4 hours a week. They work at the nature center information desk, answering phones, greeting visitors, handing out trail maps, answering simple questions and making visitors feel welcome. The job also includes handling sales from our gift shop, registering people for our programs and assisting with facilities rental. Some volunteers choose to work once a week; others choose to work a more varied schedule.

 

To apply, complete and mail in our Volunteer Application. You will be contacted with further details after we receive your application. For further information contact Jessica at (708) 361-1873.

 

Garden Volunteers help maintain the various gardens on the preserve grounds. Lake Katherine’s gardens are maintained with assistance of Master Gardeners from University of Illinois Extension. Volunteer duties include watering, weeding, raking, pruning, mulching and occasional planting. Some gardening skills are helpful but not required

 

To apply, complete and mail in our Volunteer Application. You will be contacted with further details after we receive your application. For further information contact Gareth at (708) 361-1873.

 

Ecological Restoration volunteers help maintain and repair over 3 miles of hiking trails and care for close to 100 acres of wildlife habitat. The crews help to eradicate invasive exotic plant species. The volunteers work with staff regular basis or on our trail clean-up days.

 

To apply, complete and mail in our Volunteer Application. You will be contacted with further details after we receive your application. For further information contact Gareth at (708) 361-1873.

 

Volunteers introduce school kids to the wonders of nature! They lead school field trips through the gardens and trails of Lake Katherine.

 

To apply, complete and mail in our Volunteer Application. You will be contacted with further details after we receive your application. For further information contact Marian at (708) 361-1873.

 

Volunteers assist and contribute to the weekly planning and implementation of summer camp activities.

 

To apply, complete and mail in our Volunteer Application. You will be contacted with further details after we receive your application. For further information contact Marian at (708) 361-1873.

 

Help care for the inhabitants of our exhibits: fish, turtles, frogs, snakes, birds, insects and other bugs! Learn what it takes to keep animals happy and healthy. Requires a 6 month commitment, shifts can be 2 hours once a week or every other week.

 

To apply, complete and mail in our Volunteer Application. You will be contacted with further details after we receive your application. For further information contact Gareth at (708) 361-1873.

 

Volunteers assist during special events acting as greeters, admission collectors, hayride guides, food/beverage servers. They assist with set-up and take-down of event and also help with various crafts/activities related to that specific event.

 

To apply, complete and mail in our Volunteer Application. You will be contacted with further details after we receive your application. For further information contact Bill at (708) 361-1873.

 

Assist in the repair, construction and upkeep of the facility. Jobs include painting, repair of fences, window cleaning, and sweeping. Carpenter, plumbers and electricians needed for special projects.

 

To apply, complete and mail in our Volunteer Application. You will be contacted with further details after we receive your application. For further information contact Gareth at (708) 361-1873.

 

Meet your community service requirements - indoor and outdoor projects are available for any number of hours! Group and individual activities are available.

 

To apply, complete and mail in our Volunteer Application. You will be contacted with further details after we receive your application. For further information contact Marian at (708) 361-1873.