By Andi Anderson
A new opportunity for community members to support pollinator health is available through the Rend Lake Pollinator Garden Stewardship Day.
The University of Illinois Extension is partnering with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to offer volunteer stewardship sessions from February through October 2026 at the Rend Lake Project Office and Visitor Center in Benton, Illinois.
These sessions are designed to help the public learn how to care for pollinator gardens while supporting an important local habitat.
Volunteers will receive basic training on how to maintain pollinator-friendly spaces. This includes learning proper planting care, weed management, and ways to support butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects.
Participants will also have the chance to meet fellow volunteers and enjoy a fun, hands-on experience in the garden.
Wednesday volunteer sessions begin at 8:30 a.m. and continue until 11:00 a.m. Each session includes two hours of garden stewardship tasks, followed by a 30-minute educational program.
Saturday sessions start at 10:00 a.m. and end at noon, offering a 30-minute educational program and one and a half hours of garden work. These sessions provide a balanced mix of learning and active participation, making them suitable for both new and experienced volunteers.
Registration is required for all sessions. This ensures participants can be notified if a stewardship day is cancelled due to weather. Volunteers will also be asked to complete standard volunteer paperwork. All sessions are free and open to the public, but space is limited to 15 participants so that tools can be provided for everyone.
Participants should bring their own knee pads or gardening pads and water. Wearing wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, gardening gloves, and sturdy walking shoes is encouraged for comfort and safety during outdoor activities.
Anyone who needs a reasonable accommodation to participate is encouraged to contact the event coordinator. These opportunities welcome all individuals who want to support pollinator conservation and learn more about caring for local garden spaces.
Photo Credit: istock-kerem-hanci
Categories: Illinois, Rural Lifestyle