Forest Preserve High School Volunteer Program
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As the 2009-10 school year approaches, I would like to invite area schools to participate in a unique program for high school students run by the Cook County Forest Preserve District. The purpose of the Forest Preserve High School Volunteer Program is to: raise awareness of environmental issues, spark student interest in scientific and ecological careers and encourage students to explore and learn about the value of our forest preserves and natural areas
There are a variety of options for participation in the High School Volunteer Program:
- Volunteer in Preserves (VIP) is an entry-level partnership between Cook County High Schools and the Forest Preserve. High schools sign up to receive information about volunteer workdays, events and special service-learning projects and schools send students to several VIP Workdays each year.
- Preserve Keeper Corps (PKC) involves service-learning and outdoor classroom opportunities for high school-aged groups. School groups adopt a site in the Forest Preserve for two years and choose or develop their own stewardship project. Over multiple visits, students earn service-learning credit for graduation and make lasting connections to the Preserves.
- Preserves on Campus allows schools to utilize their resources to develop service-learning projects with the Preserves from the school or schoolyard, such as growing native seeds in a greenhouse to plant in the Preserves. There is a lot of potential for creativity in Preserves on Campus projects
- Career Mentoring is a program which connects high school and college students interested in environmental degrees and careers with mentors from Forest Preserve District staff. Mentoring projects vary based on the needs of the Preserves, partners and students.
If you are interested in getting more information about or participating in this program, please call my downtown office at (312) 603-4932.
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