Rend Lake Pollinator Garden Stewardship Day

University of Illinois Extension is partnering with the US Army Corps of Engineers to provide public pollinator garden stewardship opportunities at the Rend Lake Project Office Visitor Center from February to October 2026.  

Volunteers will receive training of how to care for pollinator gardens, assist with garden stewardship, meet other volunteers, and have fun! Wednesday volunteer sessions begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. and will run until 11:00 a.m.  Sessions include 2 hours of garden stewardship tasks and a 30 minute educational program.  Saturday volunteer sessions begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. and will run until noon.  Sessions include a 30 minute educational program and 1.5 hours of garden stewardship tasks.

Registration is required so you can be notified if the garden stewardship day is cancelled due to inclement weather.  Volunteers will be asked to fill out volunteer paperwork.  These opportunities are free and open to the public.  All are welcome.  Registration is limited to 15 participants, so tools can be provided.  Please bring your own knee pads or gardening pads and water. Wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, gardening gloves, and sturdy walking shoes are recommended.