Description

We’re celebrating women in conservation with a chainsaw training session for the ladies (femme-presenting folks also welcome)! We’ll talk about selecting the right tools for your restoration project, with hands on practice led by restoration ecologist Elyse Leannais, stewardship ecologist Jackie Bero, and working lands ecologist Brenna Ness.

This will cover all of the same material as a regular chainsaw training session, including the basic set-up, maintenance, and trouble-shooting of using a chainsaw for restoration projects. Hands-on practice time is included.

If possible, volunteers should provide their own chainsaws and personal protective equipment (ex. helmet, chaps, leather work gloves, steel-toed boots, and safety glasses). A limited amount of chainsaws and protective equipment are available to be checked out from our volunteer supplies for the training day. Gym shoes are not acceptable - you must at least be wearing sturdy leather boots.
Interested volunteers should contact Stewardship Ecologist Jackie Bero (jbero@mccdistrict.org) or instructor Elyse Leannais (eleannais@mccdistrict.org or 815-763-2577) in case of any questions on borrowing equipment, parking, changes, or cancellations due to weather.
Please watch this chainsaw safety video prior to attending.
*Note: If this event is cancelled due to weather, the back-up day will be Saturday, December 13th.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
How often do you host this training?
We typically only offer this training once per year due to staff availability. After these sessions, the next time to attend chainsaw training will be next December.
How much does it cost to attend training?
This training is FREE – one of our perks for being a registered volunteer!
Can I attend training if I don’t own a chainsaw or other gear?
Chainsaw gear can be expensive. Some folks may not be able to purchase their own gear or would like to get recommendations before making the purchase.
The short answer is YES you can attend training, but please let us know that you’d like to borrow a chainsaw and/or personal protective equipment (PPE). We have a limited amount of this equipment, but typically we’ve been able to accommodate.
If you would like to help out at staff-led restoration days during the week, we can bring an extra chainsaw and PPE for you. However you must have your own chainsaw and PPE to help at restoration days led by our volunteer site stewards.
What are the prerequisites for attending chainsaw training?
The only prerequisite is being a registered District volunteer.

---

This training is only available to registered District volunteers. If you have not yet completed Intro to Volunteering, you will need to attend the next session (offered 3x per year). After that, you can sign up for next year's chainsaw training or if you have prior experience you may contact the Stewardship Ecologist to test out of chainsaw training.
Interested volunteers should contact Stewardship Ecologist Jackie Bero (jbero@mccdistrict.org) or instructor Elyse Leannais (eleannais@mccdistrict.org or 815-763-2577) in case of any questions on parking, changes, or cancellations due to weather.
*Note: If this event is cancelled due to weather, the back-up rain day will be Saturday, December 13th.

Age Category

Just for Adults

Skills

Registered Volunteer

Location

Location TBA - you'll be notified about 1 week beforehand

Prerequisites

Registered Volunteer

Instructor

Jackie Bero