Volo Bog needs stewards to protect rare and endangered species

Volo Bog supporters are looking to bring together volunteer stewards committed to protecting rare and endangered species at the one-of-a-kind habitat.

Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves wants to build a community of stewards to provide long-term support at Volo Bog State Natural Area in Ingleside. A kickoff event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 30.

Volunteer stewardships — like the one planned for Volo Bog and another launched Sept. 16 at Illinois Beach Nature Preserve in Zion — are local outlets to support the environment, according to Jonathan Sabath, field representative of the not-for-profit group.

“We try to prioritize places that have something special about them,” he said.

“Grade A” ecosystems, such as Volo Bog, constitute just 7/100th of 1% of the land in Illinois, according to the organization, which works with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources staff and others.

A half-mile-long…