Create lasting impacts into the region by creating real roots and connections to the land
The Where The Wild Things Grow program helps engage the bicycle community's involvement in ecological restoration throughout the Chicagoland trail network system. The programs foundation is to support those organizations that already are doing the crucial work to help conserve and restore our native habitats. We partner with awesome organizations such as Habitat2030, Friends of the Forest Preserves, Centennial Volunteers, The Chicago Park District, and many more.
Once a month, we lead a short, chill bike ride (5-10 miles) to our natural areas including forest preserves and park districts. We work with amazing conservation and restoration organizations to complete 3 hours of service that includes Native Seed Collecting, Invasive Plant Removal, Tree Plantings, Beach Clean-ups, and Trail Restoration. By biking to workdays, we create a supportive ideological environment for nature and conservation organizations. Afterward, we ride back and maybe grab a bite or a beverage along the way back.
So come ride with us, learn more about our local habitats, and give a hand to help protect the beauty of their biodiversity!
Once a month, we lead a short, chill bike ride (5-10 miles) to our natural areas including forest preserves and park districts. We work with amazing conservation and restoration organizations to complete 3 hours of service that includes Native Seed Collecting, Invasive Plant Removal, Tree Plantings, Beach Clean-ups, and Trail Restoration. By biking to workdays, we create a supportive ideological environment for nature and conservation organizations. Afterward, we ride back and maybe grab a bite or a beverage along the way back.
So come ride with us, learn more about our local habitats, and give a hand to help protect the beauty of their biodiversity!
Where The Wild Things Grow - March 21, 2020
Where The Wild Things Grow Volunteer Event – Forest Glen Woods
March 21, 2020 at 8:00am
Meet at Logan Square Monument
Join us for a day ride to Forest Glen Woods to complete 3 hours of environmental service. We will join other volunteers from the North Branch Restoration Project to remove invasive plants, collect and distribute native seeds, and reduce erosion issues. Forest Glen is a unique woodland, savanna, and floodplain ecosystem that serves as a corridor for migratory birds.
We will meet at the Logan Square Illinois Centennial Monument at 8:00am. We are heading out on bikes at 8:15 and completing a short 5 mile ride to Forest Glen Woods. The workday last until 12pm. Afterwards, we have an optional hangout to get lunch and a drink. If you can’t make the ride up, but want to volunteer for the workday, meet us at at the Forest Glen parking lot, located at 5420 N. Forest Glen Ave in Chicago.
What to bring: Your bike in good working order, a spare tube, a bike lock, water, a snack and gardening gloves if you have them. There will be some work gloves available at the site. Long pants are recommended but not required.
Feel free to reach out to wildthings@oofd.com with any questions.
March 21, 2020 at 8:00am
Meet at Logan Square Monument
Join us for a day ride to Forest Glen Woods to complete 3 hours of environmental service. We will join other volunteers from the North Branch Restoration Project to remove invasive plants, collect and distribute native seeds, and reduce erosion issues. Forest Glen is a unique woodland, savanna, and floodplain ecosystem that serves as a corridor for migratory birds.
We will meet at the Logan Square Illinois Centennial Monument at 8:00am. We are heading out on bikes at 8:15 and completing a short 5 mile ride to Forest Glen Woods. The workday last until 12pm. Afterwards, we have an optional hangout to get lunch and a drink. If you can’t make the ride up, but want to volunteer for the workday, meet us at at the Forest Glen parking lot, located at 5420 N. Forest Glen Ave in Chicago.
What to bring: Your bike in good working order, a spare tube, a bike lock, water, a snack and gardening gloves if you have them. There will be some work gloves available at the site. Long pants are recommended but not required.
Feel free to reach out to wildthings@oofd.com with any questions.
Where The Wild Things Grow - November 9, 2019
Where The Wild Things Grow Volunteer Event- LaBagh Woods Restoration
November 9, 2019 at 8:45am
Meet at Logan Square Monument
LaBagh Woods is located at the start of the North Branch Trail, on the North Branch of the Chicago River. The river is a major travel corridor for migratory birds, and we will help restore native shrubs that birds need for food, shelter, and rest. Just like we need rest stops on our long distance trails, birds need the shrubs, trees and plants we restore. We’ll join the North Branch Restoration Project, the Friends of the Forest Preserves, Chicago Audubon, Friends of the Chicago River, and other members of the restoration community.
We’ll meet at 8:45am, have a brief meeting, and start riding to LaBagh at 9am. We’ll lock our bikes, sign in before the work starts at 10am. There aren’t that many places to lock bikes, so most of us will need to lock our bikes together. The workday goes until 1pm, with a snack break in the middle. After the workday, we have an optional hangout to get lunch and a drink.
What to Bring- Your bike in good working order, a spare tube, water, a bike lock, and gardening gloves if you have them. Dress for the weather. Wear long pants and sturdy shoes or boots. There will be some work gloves available at the site. Snacks and water will also be provided for the workday.
If you can’t make the ride up, but want to volunteer for the workday, meet at Labagh Woods Picnic Grove 1 a little before 10am.
November 9, 2019 at 8:45am
Meet at Logan Square Monument
LaBagh Woods is located at the start of the North Branch Trail, on the North Branch of the Chicago River. The river is a major travel corridor for migratory birds, and we will help restore native shrubs that birds need for food, shelter, and rest. Just like we need rest stops on our long distance trails, birds need the shrubs, trees and plants we restore. We’ll join the North Branch Restoration Project, the Friends of the Forest Preserves, Chicago Audubon, Friends of the Chicago River, and other members of the restoration community.
We’ll meet at 8:45am, have a brief meeting, and start riding to LaBagh at 9am. We’ll lock our bikes, sign in before the work starts at 10am. There aren’t that many places to lock bikes, so most of us will need to lock our bikes together. The workday goes until 1pm, with a snack break in the middle. After the workday, we have an optional hangout to get lunch and a drink.
What to Bring- Your bike in good working order, a spare tube, water, a bike lock, and gardening gloves if you have them. Dress for the weather. Wear long pants and sturdy shoes or boots. There will be some work gloves available at the site. Snacks and water will also be provided for the workday.
If you can’t make the ride up, but want to volunteer for the workday, meet at Labagh Woods Picnic Grove 1 a little before 10am.
Where The Wild Things Grow - June 8, 2019
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Where The Wild Things Grow Volunteer Event- LaBagh Woods Restoration
June 8, 2019 at 8:45am Meet at Logan Square Monument LaBagh Woods is located at the start of the North Branch Trail, on the North Branch of the Chicago River. The river is a major travel corridor for migratory birds, and we will help restore native shrubs that birds need for food, shelter, and rest. Just like we need rest stops on our long distance trails, birds need the shrubs, trees and plants we restore. We’ll join the North Branch Restoration Project, the Friends of the Forest Preserves, Chicago Audubon, Friends of the Chicago River, and other members of the restoration community. We’ll meet at 8:45am, have a brief meeting, and start riding to LaBagh at 9am. We’ll lock our bikes, sign in before the work starts at 10am. There aren’t that many places to lock bikes, so most of us will need to lock our bikes together. The workday goes until 1pm, with a snack break in the middle. After the workday, we have an optional hangout to get lunch and a drink. |
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What to Bring- Your bike in good working order, a spare tube, water, a bike lock, and gardening gloves if you have them. There will be some work gloves available at the site. Snacks and water will also be provided for the workday.
If you can’t make the ride up, but want to volunteer for the workday, meet at the Irene Hernandez Picnic Grove a little before 10am. https://goo.gl/maps/b1gMymJRd6tZVD449
If you can’t make the ride up, but want to volunteer for the workday, meet at the Irene Hernandez Picnic Grove a little before 10am. https://goo.gl/maps/b1gMymJRd6tZVD449
Join Us for Earth Day - April 20, 2019
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Major Taylor Trail Earth Day Volunteer Event
Meet at Logan Square Monument April 20, 2019 at 8am Work Site Address: Major Taylor Trail- 105th and Throop Ready to help maintain a historic trail, and get a good ride in for Earth Day? Major Taylor was the #1 track cyclist in the world in the late 1800’s through to his retirement in 1910. He set world records, and had international renown, during an era where most clubs and tracks in the US excluded African Americans. We will join the Friends of The Major Taylor Trail, The Major Taylor Cycling Club, and others in the Major Taylor cycling community. |
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We’ll meet at the Logan Square Monument at 8am, and ride down to the trail maintenance workday site at 105th and Throop. We’ll help clear the trail of overgrown branches and brush, and other debris. The workday ends at lunchtime, and we’ll have an optional hangout to get food and drinks nearby. You are also free to explore the trail or head home at any time.
What to bring- Your bike in good working order, a spare tube, water and snacks for the ride, and gardening gloves(if you have them). Friends of the Major Taylor Trail will provide water and snacks during the workday.
Our Route: We will take Milwaukee to Halsted, Halsted all the way to Vincennes, and then Vincennes to Throop and 105th. Feel free to join us along the way! The ride down is 18 miles.
Also, if you don’t feel like riding, the 103rd Street Metra Station, Rock Island Line, is right at the worksite.
There are a few option for the return trip:
Link to the Friends of the Major Taylor Trail event page:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/major-taylor-trail-park-earth-day-clean-up-tickets-53658087785
What to bring- Your bike in good working order, a spare tube, water and snacks for the ride, and gardening gloves(if you have them). Friends of the Major Taylor Trail will provide water and snacks during the workday.
Our Route: We will take Milwaukee to Halsted, Halsted all the way to Vincennes, and then Vincennes to Throop and 105th. Feel free to join us along the way! The ride down is 18 miles.
Also, if you don’t feel like riding, the 103rd Street Metra Station, Rock Island Line, is right at the worksite.
There are a few option for the return trip:
- Hang out with us for lunch, and ride back to Logan Square!
- The 103rd Street Metra Station, Rock Island Line, is right at the workday site. The Rock Island Line will get you to the LaSalle Street Station. If you want to ride the trail a bit, there’s also a station at 91st Street.
- CTA Red Line- The 95th Street station is close by.
Link to the Friends of the Major Taylor Trail event page:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/major-taylor-trail-park-earth-day-clean-up-tickets-53658087785
Native Corridors Leading into Openlands
Our aim is to assist & create native corridors that represent that natural heritage of the landscape for which our trails belong to. We help to build a network of natural pathways for animals, insects, plants, and bicyclists which lead to nature preserves and native openlands.
Partners and Alliance Members
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"To see where something leads its best to wait until you reach the end"
