2012 VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS

To participate in any of our volunteer programs, please call (773) 883-PARK or e-mail volunteer@lincolnparkconservancy.org We look forward to hearing from you.

Lincoln Park Docent Program
Become a docent for the Lincoln Park Conservatory and Gardens, North Pond Nature Sanctuary, or Lincoln Park's newest National Historic Landmark — The Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool. Volunteer docents foster a greater appreciation and understanding these beautiful park sites by providing interpretative tours to the general public and groups on weekends and some weekdays (weekdays optional). Training takes place on six consecutive Saturday mornings where you will receive training from area experts on horticulture, the art of interpretation, the history of Lincoln Park, animal and plant life, and landscape design. Time commitments vary by park site. This program is for adults 18 and over.

Spring 2012 — Spring Docent Training for the Lincoln Park Conservatory and Gardens, North Pond Nature Sanctuary and Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool begins April 14, 2012. Registration deadline April 9, 2012. 

Join us on Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. until Noon for our 11th season of gardening among the wildflowers. Help beautify and maintain the North Pond Nature Sanctuary and its surrounding areas as we plant trees, shrubs and native wildflowers. Over the weeks, volunteers will learn how to apply native seed, plant new wildflowers, remove invasive species, prune trees and shrubs, mulch trees, maintain nature trails, and collect seed heads from prairies and savannas. Training provided at workdays. Optional formal training session offered once each summer. No time commitment required, but please sign up in advance. This program is for adults 18 and over. Join now for a groovy free t-shirt!

2012 Workday Schedule

NATURE MONITORS
Volunteer to survey for frogs*, butterflies, or dragonflies at the North Pond Nature Sanctuary or Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool and develop your inner scientist. Monitoring a natural area is more than just collecting data; it's a measurable method of helping nature. Knowing the types of species and their population numbers in a given year tell us how the sites are progressing. It's an indicator of nature's health. Based on this long-term data, we can make decisions so nature can continue to grow and prosper. Time commitments vary. One three-hour training session required. Registration is necessary. This program is for adults 18 and over.

2012 Training Dates

• Frog Calls: Call for dates and location.
• Dragonflies: March 21 - 10 a.m. to Noon, Lincoln Park
• Butterflies: April 11 - 6 to 8 p.m. or April 14 - 10 a.m. to Noon, Lincoln Park
• Butterflies - Intermediate: May 9 - 6 to 8 p.m. or May 12 - 10 a.m. to Noon, Lincoln Park

* Frog monitoring is not available at the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool.

BEE SPOTTING WITH PHOTOGRAPHY
Are you a photographer who is not afraid to get close to bumblebees and honey bees? If so, you can help in a nationwide initiative to collect data on bee demographics. Bees are important to our environment, yet are disappearing in great numbers. We are looking for volunteers to take color photographs of bees at the North Pond Nature Sanctuary for scientific research. Please contact us for more information.

Lincoln Park Conservancy Tree Care Corps
If you love trees and would like to learn how to care for them, then joining the LPC Tree Care Corps is for you. Volunteers are sent to Open Land's TreeKeepers training to learn how to identify tree species, detect tree diseases, and use proper pruning and mulching techniques. After seven consecutive Saturday mornings of training, volunteers become certified TreeKeepers. Once certified, volunteers then receive training from Lincoln Park Conservancy staff on special tree-management techniques used to care for trees at the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool and North Pond Nature Sanctuary. Volunteers must commit to a minimum of one season of service with the Lincoln Park Conservancy.

Special Group Workdays for Corporations, Clubs & Schools
We are happy to design a special workday for your group (minimum age 18). Small groups are also welcome to join us at regularly scheduled North Pond Gardener workdays with advanced notice.

Chicago Cares Workdays
If you volunteer through Chicago Cares, you can join us twice a month at regularly scheduled workdays supervised by Lincoln Park Conservancy staff at the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool. For more information, contact Chicago Cares at (312) 780-0800 or www.chicagocares.org.

13th Annual Earth Day at the North Pond Nature Sanctuary
Saturday, April 21 -- 10 a.m. to Noon

Each April we celebrate Earth Day by mulching trees and other fun projects around the North Pond Nature Sanctuary. This community-wide workday attracts over 100 volunteers each year and takes place from 10 a.m. to Noon on a Saturday morning in mid-April. Groups are welcome with advanced notice.

12th Annual Public Land's Day at the North Pond Nature Sanctuary
Saturday, September 29, 2012 — 10 a.m. to Noon

Each September we celebrate National Public Lands' Day by mulching trees and other fun projects around the North Pond Nature Sanctuary. Groups are welcome with advanced notice.

3rd Annual 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance at the North Pond Nature Sanctuary
Saturday, September 8, 2012 — 10 a.m. to Noon

Join us for a moment of silence to remember the tragedy of September 11, 2001. Then roll up your sleeves for a day of service in the park. Groups are welcome with advanced notice.

Summer Internships
Summer internships with the Lincoln Park Conservancy are available each year to help maintain the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool and North Pond Nature Sanctuary under the supervision of our staff. Interns will learn about the environmental importance of native Midwestern landscapes such as prairies, savannas, woodlands and wetlands and the connection between plant and animal diversity. Field internships are part-time from approximately June 1 to September 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.