Community & Culture Restoration

Volunteers are an essential part of the goals we can accomplish on a yearly basis. From lending a hand to remove invasive shrubbery to sharing their expertise on restoration projects, our volunteers exponentially multiply how much work we can do in terms of quantity and quality. Culture restoration is about reciprocity, and in appreciation of their generosity we host events, provide land access opportunities and are restoring and creating communal areas that can benefit human and non-human animals beyond our community.

Community Restoration Timeline

2021: 

  • Community care: initial agreements 

  • Infrastructure: mower, generator

  • Stewardship: 4 workdays focused on clearing community area and trails

2022: 

  • Community care: initial design with differentiated areas 

  • Infrastructure: kids’ area with tree house

  • Stewardship: 8 workdays - clearing and access

2023: 

  • Community care: initial conflict resolution conversations

  • Infrastructure: gathering spot by an aspen grove, communal electric chainsaw and brush-cutter, wood chips

  • Stewardship: 11 workdays focused on access and land stewardship

2024: 

  • Community care: initial discussion to work with a facilitator our decision-making processes 

  • Infrastructure: new mower, website, initial dock to access water from one of our spring fed ponds

  • Stewardship: 15 workdays focused on access and land stewardship, including a work day entirely dedicated to native tree and shrub planting 

Culture Restoration Timeline

2021: 

Started a relationship with Tom Simpson, Senior Research Ecologist of the MCCD / Hosted our first Wonderfest - a social camp out gathering for sharing and enjoying together! 

2022: 

Created social media presence in Instagram / 1 - 2 volunteers per workday, with a couple of returning volunteers / 2nd Wonderfest with about 50 participants / First Foraging camp by Natalie!

2023: 

Initiated a relationship with Small Waters Education, Illinois Beaver Alliance and became part of Climate Land Leaders / 3 and sometimes even more volunteers per workday / Hosted Wonderfest, a Foraging camp, our first Grief Retreat and partnered with The Land Conservancy and the Savanna Institute to host a Women Learning Circle

2024: 

Started a relationship with Jeff Boland-Prom, from the Illinois Beaver Alliance and with The Land Connection / 5+ volunteers per workday / Hosted a Total Eclipse event, 2 Grief Retreats, Wonderfest, a Foraging camp / Co-hosted a field trip for Small is All from the Young Cultural Stewards program / Initiated conversations with volunteer about partnering for a project / Started relationship with hunter aligned with our ethical values