This year, the Cary Park District launched a new partnership with the Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves (FOIP) and the Cary Prairie Stewards to support hands-on restoration at several of our local prairie sites. With the help of dedicated volunteers, we spent the fall season collecting native seeds, managing invasive brush, and learning more about the long-term stewardship needs of these rare ecosystems.
Growing a Volunteer-Driven Effort
The idea for a community-based restoration group began in fall 2024. After an initial volunteer interest meeting and a seed collection event that October, momentum continued to build. An Intergovernmental Agreement with Friends of the Illinois Prairie was finalized in December 2024, allowing for a more coordinated workday schedule in 2025.
From January through September 2025, FOIP hosted monthly work sessions with eight to twelve volunteers at each event. These regular outings helped set the foundation for an active fall restoration season.
Sands Main Street Prairie
October 11 • Community Workday (10 am–12 pm)
Volunteers kicked off the fall season by collecting native seed and knocking back invasive brush.
October 26 • Project Wingspan Visit
Project Wingspan returned to Sands Main Street Prairie for pollinator-focused seed collection. Final participation numbers are pending.
Water Tower Prairie
October 18 (9 am–12 pm)
Seed collection and brush clearing.
October 25 (9 am–12 pm)
Seed collection and a discussion about managing short- and long-term restoration projects.
November 8 (9 am–12 pm)
Seed collection and brush clearing.
November 15 (9 am–12 pm)
Seed collection, brush clearing, and tree girdling to reduce woody encroachment.
November 22 (9 am–12 pm)
Volunteers continued cutting brush along the high-quality prairie edges to protect and expand healthy native plant communities.
Hillside Prairie
November 1 (9 am–12 pm)
Seed collection and brush clearing.
Impact and Next Steps
These workdays helped strengthen the ecological health of our prairie sites while building a strong foundation for long-term community stewardship. Volunteers gained hands-on experience, learned about prairie ecology, and played a direct role in preserving these rare landscapes.
We look forward to continuing this partnership with FOIP and the Cary Prairie Stewards in 2026. Workdays will be posted on our website, shared in our e-newsletter, and promoted on social media. Community members of all experience levels are welcome to join.
If you’d like to get involved or learn more about local prairies, please visit https://friendsofillinoisnaturepreserves.org/.
Check out photos from our Work Days here.