Just steps from Optima Verdana®, Elmwood Dunes Preserve is a green space that serves as a living classroom and testament to what community involvement can achieve. We’re thrilled to support this event and encourage residents to participate in a meaningful day of stewardship.
Join Friends of Elmwood Dunes at the preserve (Elmwood Avenue, Wilmette) for a hands‑on workday on Thursday, August 7, 2025, dedicated to habitat restoration. All are welcome—from beginners to seasoned volunteers. Come prepared to dig in, make connections, and leave your mark—helping preserve Wilmette’s natural heritage and bringing people together in service of nature.
The team will:
Remove invasive shrubs that threaten native plant communities
Clear brush and maintain pathways
Sustain the integrity of the restored dune and swale ecosystem
Elmwood Dunes Preserve is Wilmette’s last natural bluff-and-dune ecosystem, restored over several years with the help of community volunteers. Today, it’s home to over 50 native plant species and serves as habitat for migratory birds and endangered flora.
This stewardship workday continues that legacy—reclaiming the space from invasive species and strengthening its ecological resilience into the future.
What to Expect
This two-hour workday offers:
A fulfilling outdoor activity under the morning sun
A chance to learn about local ecology and conservation practices
A community of fellow nature lovers, working toward a shared goal
An invitation to return as the seasons change (other upcoming workdays: September 11, etc.)
Quick Info
Summer Stewardship Workday
Date & Time: Thursday, August 7, 2025, 8:00 am – 10:00am
Location: Elmwood Dunes Preserve (Elmwood Avenue, Wilmette)
Hosted by: Friends of Elmwood Dunes & Wilmette Park District
What to Bring: Gloves, water, long pants, closed-toe shoes (tools provided)
Come explore, serve, and celebrate this beautiful preserve. Bring friends or family, or sign up for future stewardship days—let’s make this summer both restorative and impactful.
