Training classes are available to all volunteers with at least 15 volunteer hours or a recommendation from an Ecological Stewardship leader or Forest Preserves staff.
On this page:
Training Opportunities
Volunteers looking to become Ecological Stewardship leaders, or simply learn a new skill, can attend a variety of training classes provided by the Forest Preserves and/or partners:
- Brushcutter Training
- Brush Pile Burn Boss
- Chainsaw Safety
- First Aid/CPR
- Group Leadership
- Managing Invasives
- Practical Herbicide & Herbicider Test
- Prescription Burn
- Tree Health Monitor
Leadership Roles
Brush Pile Burn Boss
Duties:
- Monitors weather conditions before and throughout the Stewardship Day
- Monitors fire through the Stewardship Day
- Safely shuts down fire until no flames are present
- Makes calls to entities listed on the Site “Call Sheet”
Training Requirements:
- Completion of the Brush Pile Building and Burning Class (3 hours)
- Completion of 2 Field Observations at 2 different sites
Chainsawyer
Duties:
- Able to run, safe and effective chainsaw operation at Forest Preserves Stewardship Sites
- Basic maintenance
- Follow site’s management schedule and fell designated trees or tree species
- Wear Kevlar boots and other PPE during chainsawing
Training Requirements:
- To become a Feller 1 – attend Chainsaw Training session and pass administered field observation and skills test
- To become a Feller 2 – Be a current Feller I and attend an additional training and field portion
- Chainsaw Maintenance Class highly recommended
Herbicide Applicator
Duties:
- Carries herbicide license whenever they are applying herbicide
- Applies herbicide using proper herbicide techniques to species identified in the Management Schedule
- Ability to mix herbicide according to the requirements presented on the herbicide label and the safety precautions on the MSDS sheet
- Maintain herbicide log for their own applications. Provides log to the Forest Preserves on a quarterly basis
- Works with other site leaders and volunteers to maintain a safe work environment including necessary measures to keep volunteers and Preserve patrons out of herbicided area
- Posts signs as required by Land Management Guidelines and Managing Invasives class in accordance with label requirements
- Handle all chemicals and chemical exposed tools properly and safely
Training Requirements:
- Pass the IL Dept. of Ag. General Standards and one additional test
- Renew license via Volunteer Resources
Herbicide Operator
Duties:
- Follows the same rules as Herbicide Applicator, but is unable to mix herbicide.
Training Requirements:
- Pass the IL Dept. of Ag. General Standards
- Renew license via Volunteer Resources
- Must be listed under a Herbicide Applicator
Seed Collection Leader
Duties:
- Effectively instruct others in species identification and seed collection techniques
- Coordinate with the Site Steward about recordkeeping, proper seed storage, etc.
- Organize with Site Steward the administrative tasks such as Stewardship Day posting, waivers, attendance, reporting hours, etc.
- Work within management schedule for the site
- Requires higher level of coordination and recordkeeping for all threatened and endangered species
- May also collect and dispose of seeds of invasive plants, e.g. teasel, using the appropriate methods
Training Requirements:
- Complete Group Leadership Training – classroom training with written exam
- Approval by Site Steward – site specific and species specific
Stewardship Day Leader
Duties:
- Stewardship Day Leaders are responsible for decisions at Stewardship Days in the absence of a Site Steward
- Communicate with Site Steward(s) to plan Stewardship Days that operate within the approved Management Schedule
- Plan Stewardship Day logistics – i.e. waivers and necessary tools
- Lead introduction and communicate Stewardship Day safety rules, demonstrate proper techniques for basic Stewardship Day activities (for example, brush cutting, brush pile burning, collecting and sowing seed)
- Assign roles/positions to volunteers in accordance to their experience
- Act as an ambassador for your site and for FPCC by actively engaging & recruiting volunteers
Training Requirements:
- Attend and complete the following trainings: Group Leadership, Managing Invasives, and Brush Pile Burning and Building
- Work with two mentors
Site Steward
Duties:
- Have a basic understanding of the core concepts of ecological restoration
- Make a continuing and committed effort to learn the flora and fauna of their site
- Collaborate with FPCC staff & other volunteers to develop a Management Schedule for their site
- Communicate with the Regional Ecologist on updates to the Management Schedule, new challenges, progress towards restoration goals and on land management questions
- Work with FPCC on requests for contractor, intern and Resource Management support
- Ensure that Stewardship Day leaders and volunteers understand and comply with applicable rules and regulations
- Understand the importance of accurate and complete records including maintaining Stewardship Day, seed collecting, and planting data, and entering/maintaining FPCC required records
- Understand the importance of others’ perceptions of restoration work and be sensitive to public attitudes and education; be able to answer questions (from the public and from other volunteers) in terms that are accurate and clear to the lay person
- Recognize situations where his/her knowledge may be incomplete and proceed with caution, seeking the advice and counsel of others more experienced and/or knowledgeable in restoration
- Know the abilities of volunteers; choose capable leaders and assign volunteer tasks effectively
- Give feedback to volunteers throughout Stewardship Days and consistently educate others about species, processes, and goals of management relating to natural areas
- Act as an ambassador for their site and for FPCC by actively engaging volunteers and the public
- Promote growth and continuity of the volunteer group
Training Requirements:
- Complete Stewardship Day Leader certification
- Recommendation from Coach/Mentor (complete forms)
- Recommendation from Stewardship Program Coordinator (complete forms)
- Recommendation and site walk with Regional Ecologist (complete forms)
Training Documents & Resources
Volunteer Handbook
Guidelines & Practices
- Land Management Guidelines (PDF)
- Best Management Practices – Cutting, Removing, Treating of Invasive Brush and Trees (PDF)
- Seed Source Policy & Guidelines (PDF)
- Natural and Cultural Resources Master Plan
Path to Stewardship
- Stewardship Workday Leader Packet (PDF)
- Stewardship Workday Leader Checklist (PDF)
- WDL Field Observation A (PDF)
- WDL Field Observation B (PDF)
- WDL Field Observation C (PDF)
- WDL Field Observation D (PDF)
Plant Identification
- Seed Collection Chart – Woods to Wetlands
- Seed Heads of Common Native Plants of the Tallgrass Prairie Region – Field Museum
- Tree and Shrub Identification Made Simple (PDF)
Tree Health Monitoring
Training Class – Brush Pile Building & Burning
Training Class – Group Leadership
Training Class – Managing Invasives
- Managing Invasives – Manual (PDF)
- Managing Invasives – Test (PDF)
- Managing Invasives – Field Observation Form (PDF)
- Resources:
- Phenology Calendar (PDF) – Northeastern Illinois Invasive Plant Partnership (NIIPP)
- Management of Invasive Plants and Pests of Illinois (PDF) – The Morton Arboretum, University of Illinois Extension and Southern Illinois University
Training Class – IL Dept. of Ag Herbicide Testing
Training Class – Practical Herbicide
- Practical Herbicide – Manual (PDF)
- Resources:
- Illinois Nature Preserves Invasive Species Management Guidelines – Illinois Nature Preserves Commission
- Phenology Calendar (PDF) – Northeastern Illinois Invasive Plant Partnership (NIIPP)
- Management of Invasive Plants and Pests of Illinois (PDF) – The Morton Arboretum, University of Illinois Extension and Southern Illinois University
Training – Chainsaw
- Chainsaw – Manual (PDF)
- Chainsaw Sharpening – STIHL.com