Make your way to the wetlands on Saturday, June 2, for a morning of planting native flowers and grasses in Chicagoland’s Calumet region at Indian Ridge Marsh.

Once consisting of nearly 45,000 acres of wetlands, the Calumet region covers much of southeast Chicago and portions of northwest Indiana. In the late 1800s, industrial development reduced its biodiversity, leaving only a patchwork of remnant wetland habitats.

The Wetlands Initiative, Audubon Great Lakes, Chicago Park District, and Illinois Soybean Association are partnering to offer volunteers an opportunity to roll up their sleeves alongside urban conservationists and Illinois soybean farmers with the hope of seeing swifter progress in this critical ecosystem.

Information for volunteers:

• Meet at the north end of Indian Ridge Marsh on East 116th Street, just west of South Torrence Avenue.

• Transportation is available, with eco-friendly biodiesel shuttles departing at 8:00 in the morning from two Bridgeport Coffee locations in Chicago: 3101 S. Morgan St. (Bridgeport) and 5030 S. Cornell Ave. (Hyde Park).

• Parking is available at the north end of Indian Ridge Marsh, or commute on your bike.

• Volunteers should bring water and wear long pants, long sleeves, work boots, and a hat.

• Gloves, tools, additional water, and lunch will be provided.

• Activities are suitable for most children over 12.

Please sign up here if you plan to attend.