Although the parks remain open, historic and educational buildings at Kennekuk County Park and Forest Glen Preserve remain closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But the Vermilion County Conservation District is seeking volunteers to help in the event those buildings can re-open this summer. And the District has already said it plans to host its summer camps and programs this year. Events may still be canceled or postponed, though, because of COVID-19.
Lara Danzl is the Volunteer Coordinator and Education Supervisor for the Conservation District. She says they are looking for volunteers for various positions in the parks.
‘’One of them is being a trail steward, where you get to adopt a trail and hike the trail – and then report any conditions back to us. Whether there needs to be a tree removal, trail repairs, clean up any litter along the trails – that sort of thing. It’s super flexible job because you get to come out and hike it whenever you want to. And we like volunteers to hike the trail about once or twice a month,’’ said Danzl.
Danzl adds they are also looking for volunteers to work as building hosts for the historic buildings and educational facilities at both Kennekuk County Park and Forest Glen – (including the Bunker Hill Historic Area, Kennekuk Environmental Education Center, and Visitor Center at Kennekuk County Park…plus the Pioneer Homestead Cabin, Nature Center and Visitor Center at Forest Glen Preserve.)
Danzl (shown here) adds volunteers merely need to enjoy the outdoors and want to have fun, and take time to do it.
‘’There’s not much more else than that,’’ said Danzl. ‘’There is a simple volunteer application form that we have here at the park. We just collect basic information about you and what you’re interested in. That way we can help get you to the right volunteer job. And I have a volunteer handbook and job descriptions that I can give to them so they can get to know us a little better. But basically all you have to do is give me a call or send me an email and we can get you on the list,’’ added Danzl.
(This empty classroom at the Kennekuk Environmental Education Center is where Danzl hopes to see kids enjoying summer camps again this year. Those camps were canceled last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.)
If you would like to be a volunteer, call the Vermilion County Conservation District headquarters at 217-442-1691, or go to the District’s website at www.vccd.org and find a pull down tab with more information. Or you can contact Volunteer Coordinator Lara Danzl at www.ldanzl@vccd.org.
