Hey-Ya, Prairie Volunteers!

We have received the good news from the Elmhurst Park District that we can restart our volunteer work days at the Elmhurst Great Western Prairie as of this month. We missed a total of six organized volunteer events thus far this year, so we have a fair amount of catching up to do in the next five months. I hope you all can help out as events fit your schedule.

Due to the COVID-19 situation, the State of Illinois and the Elmhurst Park District are requiring a few understandable limitations including:
No more than fifty (50) people may participate in any event. This should not be an issue with us as we very rarely have more than 30 people helping out on any given volunteer day. Still, we will be tracking numbers and if we hit fifty, any latecomers will be kindly asked to leave.
Social distancing and mask wearing will be required, especially during our gathering at 9:00.
Please arrive a few minutes early as we will be holding a meeting at 9:00 with the EPD to discuss rules and expectations.
As this is a new year, all volunteers will be required to complete a new 2020 Elmhurst Park District Liability Waiver as well as the volunteer sign-in sheet.
Our next volunteer work day at the Elmhurst Great Western Prairie is Saturday, July 18 from 9:00 AM until noon.

For tasks this time out, we will be:
Cutting invasive woody growth and hauling and neatly stacking the brush at the curb for collection by the EPD.
Focusing on the area east of Berkley Ave, west of Spring Road.
News for you!
Over the winter, the Elmhurst Park District staff has made a real effort to remove much of the woody growth north of the north path, especially west of Berkley Ave. Thanks to David Price and crew!
The first Monarch Butterflies made their appearance at the EGWP about three weeks ago and now there is quite the resident population!
And finally:
The Elmhurst Park District requires all participants to complete and sign a Liability Waiver once each year and fill out the volunteer sign-in sheet each day you help out. Again, even if you filled one out last year, you must submit another for this year.
If you have not seen the Elmhurst Park District’s website page featuring the Elmhurst Great Western Prairie, see it here: https://www.epd.org/elmhurst-great-western-prairie
Visit the EGWP Volunteer Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Elmhurst-Great-Western-Prairie-269331223107249
As always, if you do not wish to receive further notices of EGWP activities, just pop me a quick email and I’ll take you off our list.
Talk it up with your friends! Hope to see you all on Saturday at 9:00!

We meet on the west side of Berkley Avenue at the Illinois Prairie Path (Prairie Path Lane). That is three blocks south of St. Charles Road, four blocks west of Spring Road and six blocks east of Rt. 83    https://goo.gl/maps/3ecednGmMK82   On volunteer days, we might be working anywhere in the mile long stretch between Spring Road to the east and Salt Creek to the west, but the bench at the halfway point at Berkley Ave is our home base and parking is easy there. Always fun and a full body workout, and more worthwhile than a couple hours at the gym! And sometimes after a few hours of work, we grab a burger and a beer together at a local beanery!

Take it easy, but take it!

Eric Keeley
Elmhurst Great Western Prairie Volunteer Steward

Please contact Eric Keeley at  keeley.eric@gmail.com  if you can come.

For more information, visit the Elmhurst Great Western Prairie  website.

Although this is not an IPPc event, send an email to  info@ipp.org  if you have any unanswered questions.