What if the thing you’ve been missing is not another show to stream, another errand to run or another doomscroll on your phone, but a chance to do something that has real meaning in your community? Volunteering in the Forest Preserves of Cook County turns free time into impact, curiosity into connection and ordinary days into stories worth telling.
Today we highlight steward and supporter Anthony Muñoz, whose social media posts featuring his winter volunteer days in the Forest Preserves caught our attention.
“Quickly warmed up wrangling acres of buckthorn despite the frigid temps. Even had a visit from a couple coyotes.”
“Might give up the gym membership. This is real.”
Better than a gym
We asked Anthony about his volunteer day removing invasive buckthorn plants at Thatcher Woods on a chilly 18 degree January day. He said that while some people like leisurely relaxing in the woods and “forest bathing,” he prefers to be more active and thinks of his volunteer mornings as "forest fitness."
“I love volunteering with the Forest Preserves. The winter is the perfect time too - no bugs, easy to see the lay of the land, and you very quickly get warm when you start moving. Anyone that has shoveled a sidewalk knows this! I always come home happy, tired and exhilarated.”
Fitness for the Preserves too
“I am thrilled we have such a huge resource of the Forest Preserves all around us in every direction. That said, big forest preserves need lots of help. Over time humans have boxed them in, stopped natural fires, and introduced invasive species that take over natural landscapes. Removing invasive species is one way to help. It is easy to make a big impact and I always feel so accomplished after a morning helping out.”
The people you meet
“One of the amazing parts of volunteering with the forest preserves is the people you meet. Some are just there to get out of the house. Some are there to get in some community volunteering hours. All are there because they share an enthusiasm for nature and are happy to lend a helping hand. I've met people of all ages and walks of life — from those who grew up in the area to those who just moved here from another country, and everyone from elementary school kids to retired professionals. It’s fun to meet new people and work together to make things better."
Thank you, Anthony, for your stewardship, your thoughts, and your photos!
Interested in volunteering?
You don’t need experience or special gear. You just need curiosity, a willingness to learn and a desire to feel more connected to the place you live. Prefer less of a workout than Anthony, see below.
This is not one-size-fits-all volunteering; it’s a new way to create-your-own-adventure outdoors. Love being hands-on? Join ecological restoration workdays where you help revive prairies, woodlands and wetlands by removing invasive plants and planting native species. Want to see immediate results? Litter cleanups make a visible difference in just a few hours. Prefer learning and observing? Community science and trail programs enable you to support wildlife research and help keep the Forest Preserves welcoming and safe for everyone.
If you are ready to trade in the screen for stewardship, visit https://fpdcc.com/volunteer/ to discover your role in protecting nature.
Another way to contribute
Volunteering doesn’t work for you at the moment? Donations are another way to contribute and care for the Preserves.