GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE RESOURCE GUIDE | 37 Forest Preserves of Cook County BEST PRACTICES: SITE MAINTENANCE & OPERATIONS BEST PRACTICE: ENGAGE COMMUNITY IN INSPECTION, OPERATIONS, AND MAINTENANCE DESCRIPTION: Engaging community members in maintenance and inspection activities can help relieve pressure on limited resources. Removing trash, leaf litter, and invasive species, and conducting regular inspections are simple, effective ways to involve volunteers. Volunteer programs such as the Stormwater Stewards program in the Puget Sound create opportunities to engage trained community members to take a proactive role in maintenance of green stormwater infrastructure practices. It is important to consider and address any liability concerns prior to allowing volunteer activities.112 STRATEGIES: • Work with a local organization to establish a volunteer maintenance program that trains volunteers to take on inspection and maintenance responsibilities for specific green stormwater infrastructure devices.113 • Determine upfront how to handle liability concerns and emphasize proper training for those volunteer activities where needed.114 • Work with organizations that may be looking for service-learning opportunities such as schools, faith-based communities, or neighborhood groups to recruit volunteers.115 EXAMPLES: • In Montgomery County, Maryland the Montgomery Parks department extends liability coverage to registered long-term volunteers that are supervised by staff. Volunteers participating in park cleanup and shorter-term events are not covered.116 • Cook County, Illinois boasts a strong volunteer program that helps maintain its Forest Preserves. Volunteers learn while they serve, acting as citizen scientists and helping with ecological restoration. Their website dedicated to volunteer resources provides guidelines, supply needs, and training materials to ensure volunteers are fully informed before their work.117 • New York City has an extensive volunteer program offering many levels of involvement. They offer both individual volunteer events and specific, ongoing programs such as the NYC Parks Stewardship program or Green Neighborhoods program, which recruit volunteers with specific interests and provide ongoing training and planned support. Their website is also a helpful, easy-to-use resource, making it easy to get involved. RESOURCES: • Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: Creating Sustainable Community Parks and Landscapes (See Chapter 5: Education and Awareness). Volunteer group in the forest preserves of Cook County
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