Volunteer Workday @ Bourbon Woods

Tucked away in Marshall County, Bourbon Woods is one of Shirley Heinze’s newest properties. Over the past six months, our Stewardship staff has been preparing the preserve to welcome hikers, birdwatchers, and other nature enthusiasts. While not officially open to the public, volunteers can get a glimpse of what this gem of an old-growth forest has to offer while helping to restore the woodland habitat. Stepping into Bourbon Woods, one is immediately transported to a quiet, vibrant, magical world. An ecologically diverse preserve, Bourbon boasts myriad ephemeral species in spring, the Dutchman’s breeches, trout lily, and bloodroot peppering a forest floor strewn with glacial erratic boulders. The expansive canopies of towering oaks and beeches keep the woodland damp and dim through most of the year, and a wide range of fungi colonize leaning snags and rotting logs.

As with any forested area bordering farm fields and subdivisions, though, the woods do harbor invasive plants like Japanese barberry and bush honeysuckle. In the course of our workday, we’ll remove these unwelcome invaders, freeing stretches of rich soil for more native species to grow. We hope you’ll join us for what will be only the second volunteer workday at this captivating preserve.

Be prepared to work outside and dress appropriately for the weather. Conditions on the workday may be wet and will likely be cold.  Volunteer workdays are held in all types of weather, although if conditions become hazardous during or leading into the workday, we may be forced to cancel abruptly. Your safety is our first concern!We will provide all the necessary equipment, gear, light snacks, and water. We encourage you to bring your own reusable water bottle!

Please RSVP through the website form below. Question? Call the office at 219-242-8558 or email volunteer@heinzetrust.org.

Please fill out the online Volunteer Application prior to attending. We’ll also have hard copies for you at the workday. Come lend a hand, enjoy some time out in the woods with fellow volunteers, and learn about other meaningful opportunities with Shirley Heinze!