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
• Leadership Roles
• Training Documents & Resources

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

Weed Watchers

Duties:

• Able to effectively instruct others in invasive species identification & removal techniques
• Able to clearly demonstrate control techniques as needed
• Able to perform herbicide application or supervise others doing herbicide application

Training Requirements:

• Group Leadership Training – classroom training with written exam
• Must be a Herbicide applicator/operator if treating herbicides
• Approval by Site Steward

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

• Volunteer Handbook (PDF)

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

• Apprentice Steward Path Packet (PDF)
• 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

• Tree Health Assessment Sheet (PDF)

Training Class – Brush Pile Building & Burning

• Brush Pile – Manual (PDF)
• Brush Pile – Test (PDF)
• Brush Pile – Field Observation Form (PDF)
• Resources:
  • Brush Pile Burn Checklist (PDF)

Training Class – Group Leadership

• Group Leadership – Manual (PDF)
• Group Leadership – Test (PDF)

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

• Illinois Pesticide Training – General Standards Review (PDF)

Training Class – Practical Herbicide

• Practical Herbicide – Manual (PDF)
• Resources:
  • Practical Herbicide – Checklist (PDF)
  • Practical Herbicide – Treatment Guidelines (PDF)
  • 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

Training – Brushcutter

• Brushcutter – Manual (PDF)