Poplar Creek Prairie Stewards Home

Restoring natural communities in northwest Cook County, Illinois

Poplar Creek Prairie Stewards

Winter Workday Hotline: (630) 855-6166

call after 8 a.m. on workdays, December 1 – March 31 for workday status

The Poplar Creek Prairie Stewards is a group of volunteers that works with the Forest Preserve of Cook County, Illinois, to restore native habitat in the Poplar Creek Forest Preserve, located in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. We hold outdoor volunteer workdays every weekend throughout the year.

Why restore? Illinois’ once-majestic prairies, savannas, and woodlands have suffered the effects of nearly two centuries of development—including suppression of fire, fragmentation, and the introduction of numerous non-native plant and animal species. Restoration seeks to reestablish a more natural balance on the open lands that remain, to create favorable conditions that can better support a wide diversity of plant and animal life.

anniversary picture

20 Years on the Prairie!

The Poplar Creek Prairie Stewards celebrated their 20th anniversary in September with a wonderful gathering at the Poplar Creek site that included tours, talks, and a picnic. Friends came from all over to reminisce and marvel at how wonderful the restoration looks.

The people listed below participated in the group shot at left.

Patrick Maher, Steve Byers, Dave Webb, Mary Webb, Lucas Webb, Sarah Webb, Mel Manner, Jay Coffey, Jane Balaban, Roger Hotham, John Balaban, Rick Manner, Dick Jamieson, Barbara Hill, Paula Lambertz, Jackie Coffey, Steve Packard, Margaret Mechtenberg, Linda Masters, Linda Kronholm, Arlene Kline, Mark Simon, Jim Robinson, Suzanne Williams, Kirk Garanflo, Dave Lloyd, Diane Benson, Jeff Cour, Jan Ahrensfeld, Matt Hokanson, Noreen Martin, Diana Granitto, Kate Gunderson, John Martin, Bill Gunderson, Bob Carter, Jill Carter, Domenico D'Alessandro, Dave Boyce, Cliff Trahan, Marge Trahan, Nani Boyce, Cathy Bloom, Rick McAndless, Lorian Hougland, Susanne Masi, Suzi Becker, Lee Ramsey, Jill Flexman, Victoria Chen, Steve Flexman, Matt Haas, Ed Taicsich, Connor Flexman, Marion Taicsich, Sheila Hoyos, Susan Kirt, Dale Shields, Valerie Jakobi, Charlotte Jakobi, John Navin

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