Corporate and Group Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Forms | Nature Workday Schedule | The Spirit
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County invites you and your group to an experience that takes place within the pleasant surroundings of one of DuPage County's open spaces. Gather your group for fun, outdoor camaraderie, then, work together to make a positive impact on the conservation of one of DuPage County's valuable ecosystems.
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, in conjunction with Wheaton Park District, now offers groups the opportunity for a customized, facilitated Team Building Program on location at the workday!
One-Time Workdays for Groups and Corporations:
Your group may choose to volunteer for a project at one of our many preserves. We ask for time to design a workday for your group at a time and location that may suit your needs. This provides a positive experience for your group as well as assists the District in accomplishing excellent work.
Designing the plan may take up to two months depending on the extent of the project, but the investment is well worth it. The desired result is a positive workday experience and a sense of accomplishment for the corporation and its workers and improved facilities for the Forest Preserve District.
Depending on the location of the workday, groups may be able to take advantage of some of the educational programs offered by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County as a learning supplement to the day.
For more information, call volunteer services at (630) 933-7681 or e-mail volunteer@dupageforest.com.
Team Building Workdays for Groups and Corporations:
Your group might want to consider adding an additional team-building component to the workday by adding a facilitated program offered by one of the District's partner agencies, Wheaton Park District. This program will be offered on location at any preserve where your workday has been scheduled. The Team Building portion of the workday is usually scheduled prior to the actual work so that the program can invigorate employees and then follow with the planned workday at the preserve.
The group will be coached through a series of fun and challenging activities designed to promote team spirit by recognizing the value of each individual within the group. Each exercise will be followed by a discussion that will link the experience to the group's everyday environment and to the volunteer efforts that follow.
Group members will then join Forest Preserve District of DuPage County staff during a rewarding volunteer activity to apply their newly energized team-building skills toward helping one of DuPage County's valuable habitats. Members' efforts will complement ongoing endeavors to restore part of DuPage County to a functioning native ecosystem. Activities may include the removal of invasive exotic plant species, the collection or planting of native seeds, or a de-littering project depending upon the location and time of year.
For more information, call volunteer services at (630) 933-7681 or e-mail volunteer@dupageforest.com.
Short-Term Program Specific Group/Corporation:
Short-Term Program Adoptions – For groups or corporations who want a greater impact than a single workday (but are not ready for a long-term commitment). Short-term program adoptions may be the perfect alternative. The District offers many program to schools and groups through the year that are reflective of the seasons. Adoption can be provided in many supportive ways, from behind the scenes support, to donation of employees' time as volunteer interpreters.
Special Events – A group may wish to volunteer for one of the District's special events. This builds camaraderie in addition to supporting the activities of the day. Volunteers are needed in various roles during events such as Saving the Savannah, Danada Fall Festival, or "Just for Kids" Fishing Derby. Group participation brings great satisfaction and general good fun while sustaining an event's activities.
For more information, call volunteer services at (630) 933-7681 or e-mail volunteer@dupageforest.com.
Long-Term Program Specific Group/Corporation:
Adopt-An-Area or Program -- Some corporations or groups choose to make a long-term commitment with the District and adopt-an-area, facility or program through regularly scheduled workdays. These groups may support a variety of projects on an on-going basis at a facility or preserve close to their location. District staff encourages this valuable enterprise and will assist groups in development of a project plan. Volunteers have participated in natural areas restoration projects such as removal of garlic mustard, brush cutting, seed collection, native seed planting and revival of water plants to restore eroded lake front areas. Massive litter clean-up efforts have been organized on a regular basis to enhance a variety of preserves. This long-term support gives the group recognition of their accomplishments and the continued satisfaction in a job well done.
Donation of Volunteer Hours/Flextime For Volunteering --Another long-term commitment option for corporations is the donation of volunteer hours. As many of the District volunteer programs need volunteers for 3-4 hour weekday shifts, corporations can choose to sponsor employees' time for volunteering or, may want to sponsor a shift; where employees share the shift while their company donates their time. If this is not possible, the corporation may consider allowing employees to flex their time to accommodate for their volunteer shift.
For more information, call volunteer services at (630) 933-7681 or e-mail volunteer@dupageforest.com.
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 5000, Wheaton, IL 60189-5000
email: forest@dupageforest.com (630) 933-7200 Fax: (630) 933-7204 TTY: (800) 526-0857