The Volunteer Stewardship group collaborates to establish regional standards for stewardship education. 

Growing a skilled pool of volunteer leaders who can act as site stewards or otherwise support Chicago Wilderness organizations in managing and restoring regional natural areas is a key strategy for supporting future biodiversity. But volunteers face barriers in getting the training needed.  

To support habitat restoration, personnel with the correct knowledge, skills, and training are needed. Representatives from multiple agencies have proposed that Chicago Wilderness develop regional standards for critical training programs. Creating standardized training that stretches across the region will make it easier for volunteers to participate and to put the training to use. Developing standards will also improve the quality of training, as best practices are shared across organizations. 

This working group, led by staff from The Morton Arboretum, has created standards for in Invasive Species ID & Management, Volunteer Leadership, and Brush Pile Burn Boss Training.  

Organizations or individuals interested in being added to this working group, or those who wish to receive updates on the process, should contact Megan Dunning, manager of adult learning programs at The Morton Arboretum.