Eden Place Nature Center is a small, not-for-profit organization, and our organization would not survive without the generous participation of volunteers. There are a number of ways in which you might get involved at Eden Place as a volunteer to contribute to our work with education, conservation, and community development.  Read below for more information!

 

 

 

 

Individual volunteer opportunities fall into two general categories: Ongoing Volunteering and Special Events.  Please see below for a description of each of these opportunities, and call Ariel or Jackie at (773) 624-8686 for more information about becoming a volunteer. 

Individuals may become involved at Eden Place as regular volunteers. This type of volunteer work might include gardening and plant maintenance, animal care, working with visiting school groups, and general office work. Special training is required for some of these duties, and volunteer shifts will be scheduled beforehand.

 

We rely upon volunteers to help enact small- and large-scale community events.  Volunteers for these events might help with set up, clean up, running activities, checking in visitors, passing our fliers, and other duties as required. We will contact Special Events volunteers on an as-needed basis.

 

Eden Place is a great place to plan a group volunteer service day for your work organization, faith congregation, youth group, school, or family!  If you are interested in scheduling a volunteer service day for your group, fill out the following form to submit a request or download a Volunteer Day Request Form here. Read below for our policies regarding group volunteer service days.

 

 

The group should enter Eden Place through the main gate at 43 Place and Shields, 3 blocks west of the Dan Ryan Expressway, one block south of 43 Street, and across the street from Hendricks Academy School.  Buses and large passenger vans may pull down 43 Place to drop off the group.  There is also ample street parking for cars at this intersection.  

 

Volunteers are never allowed to operate power tools or other dangerous equipment.  Youth should be supervised by adult chaperones in the group at all times.  Any physical limitations of any members of the volunteer group should be listed in the section above and/or described to the volunteer coordinator upon arrival at Eden Place.  

 

All members of your group should arrive wearing clothes appropriate for working outdoors in current weather conditions.  Closed-toed shoesshould be worn at all times.  Long pants, hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen are also recommended.  

 

Eden Place does not provide filtereddrinking water to visiting groups.  Water from the hose is available to fill up water bottles if desired, or the group should arrive with plenty of drinking water for the volunteer service day.  Food and refreshments may be available for purchase at Du Sable Trading Post, the on-site store, but you should consult with the volunteer coordinator to determine if the store will be open during your group’s visit. 

 

Picnic tables, benches, and grass space are available to groups on a first-come, first-served basis.  When your group has finished your volunteer service time, you are welcome to stay at Eden Place and enjoy the grounds for the remainder of our open hours. 

 

We kindly request that if you need to reschedule or cancel your visit, you will do so as soon as possible, but no later than 24 hours before the scheduled visit.