At Openlands, we have a variety of opportunities for volunteers of all skills and levels of commitment. Please review the current volunteer project descriptions posted below for our current opportunities. Also, be sure to check out Openlands' unique volunteer learning opportunities.

If you are interested in one of the specific opportunities posted, please fill out a volunteer application and enter the project title in the space provided on the second page. If you have any questions about a particular volunteer position, please email the contact person referred to in the volunteer project description.

But remember, even if none of the descriptions below are of interest, you can still fill out the volunteer application and we will contact you when a future volunteer project matches your interests! We’re eager to hear from you, know your skills and interests, and will work to find a place for you at Openlands.

We hope to hear from you soon!

• Dates: On-going.
• Work in a garden as part of a group and/or together with Openlands' Youth Garden Corps in one of the following Chicago neighborhoods: Austin, Humboldt Park, Pilsen and North Lawndale.
• Volunteers will be involved in weeding, installation and planting, general plant care, harvesting and assistance with special day activities in the garden.
• Please check out our Events Calender for scheduled garden workdays.

HomeGrown Chicago Farmers Market

Gardeners are educated about organic farming practices through workshops and seminars that culminate in the Farmers Market. The Market gives gardeners the opportunity to benefit from their participation in gardening through selling and showcasing their produce.

• Dates: Volunteers needed on Market Days, Saturdays, June through October from 9AM to 2PM. See our Events Calender for this listing.
• The Homegrown Market is held at the Association House, 1116 N. Kedzie, in Humboldt Park.
• Volunteers are needed for set up (9AM), tear down (2PM), staffing exhibit tables, helping with produce sales, staffing the market information table and assisting in special events such as performances, presentations and cooking demonstrations.

---

 

TreeKeepers

TreeKeepers are volunteers who are certified to give trees proper care and maintenance so they can thrive in the urban forest. During a seven-week course, volunteers will learn the proper way to care for our city’s trees while receiving expert instruction from teachers in the fields of arboriculture and tree research. At the conclusion of the course, TreeKeepers continue their volunteering through group workdays throughout the city. Please see our TreeKeepers page for more information.

StreamLeaders

StreamLeaders is a hands-on training course designed to encourage and promote community participation in local stream habitat conservation. The course is targeted at experienced volunteers and professionals and covers such topics as the fundamentals of stream ecology, stream preservation and restoration techniques, environmental advocacy and volunteer stewardship. It also includes an emphasis on biological surveys and volunteer stream monitoring techniques. StreamLeaders is intended to supplement and enhance the skills of experienced volunteers and facilitate the formation of project-oriented partnerships between volunteer stewards and natural resource professionals. Please see the StreamLeaders homepage for more detailed course information.