The butterfly population in Northern Illinois is growing! It was recently reported on the radio that volunteers who spend time monitoring butterflies on public lands had seen an increase in butterflies this summer compared to previous years. While of course, I am thrilled that the efforts to support the butterfly population are working, I am more interested in the volunteers and their efforts.
Volunteering is such a rewarding experience. I often find that the person who volunteers benefits just as much (if not more) from the experience than the organization in which the volunteering takes place. We all know that working within nature has tremendous health benefits. Combine that with volunteering and that seems like it would be a powerful combination. This led me to do a bit of research in the field of gardening and possible opportunities for volunteering.
The Illinois Butterfly Monitoring Network is an organization that creates a system for which data is collected with respect to butterfly populations. Volunteers receive training, site assignments and log in the results online. They are asked to visit their site 6-8 times through the summer, spending about 1-2 hours completing a survey. For more information or to apply to be a volunteer, please visit their website at www.bfly.org.
A little closer to home, the Sunflower Garden Club is a very active organization that makes quite a difference within the Sun City Community, the Village of Huntley and the surrounding communities.
As Patrice Goosetree, an active member states “I have chosen to volunteer through Sunflower garden club to meet people and bring a little sunshine to the lives of others.”
She certainly does that! Patrice and about 35 volunteers work with DeFiore Funeral and Cremation Service. When they have flower arrangements available, the volunteers act quickly. They spend time rearranging them and delivering them to nursing homes. They are used to bring joy to those who might not otherwise have fresh flowers that day. For more information, please check the Lifestyle Magazine. You may also reach out to Sue Coltman. Her email is sue.conway@comcast.net
McHenry County Conservation District also accepts and appreciates volunteers. Volunteers are eligible for early registration, free educational workshops, and a discount to the Weekend of Restoration event. MCCD volunteers are asked to get involved with a wide range of projects. They vary from restoring habitat, to promoting safety and helping to keep local history alive. For more information and to apply go to www.mccdistrict.org or call 815-338-6223. You could also email volunteers@mccdistrict.org
The Forest Preserve District of Kane County is seeking volunteers to assist with the promoting of the mission ‘Restoring, restocking, protecting and preserving lands for the education and pleasure of Kane County citizens.’ The Volunteer Office is available by phone at 630-762-2741 or email at volunteer@kaneforest.com. Their website is www.kaneforest.com
A volunteer at a recent visit to the Anderson Japanese Gardens really made our visit special. As a docent, he pointed out unique features of the garden that we would have missed if left on our own. The Gardens, located in Rockford, have a robust volunteer program. They are asked to commit to 2 four hours shifts per month from May to October. The application is available on line at www.andersongardens.org
You may also contact Leah at 815-316-3285 or lweyermann@andersongardens.org
The Huntley Area Public Library Friends Foundation has over 250 members. Their members organize book sales, hold basket raffles and Culver’s night activities. Their monthly meetings are fun and informative. Want to be the first to have a look through the plethora of gardening books at their book sale on December 7-8? Sign up to volunteer! More information is available at www.huntleylibraryfriends.org
You may also contact Pamela Kampwerth at 847-669-5386 ext. 28.
Kathleen Carr is the owner of The Growing Scene, Inc., a garden center and landscaping company. She can be reached by calling 815-923-7322 or emailing her at Kathleen@thegrowingscene.com. Have a gardening question? Please contact her. She may address it in an upcoming column.
Editor’s note: This is Kathi’s final column for the 2019 gardening season before she takes her annual break for winter. You can enjoy more Gardeners Forum columns starting spring 2020.
