Ecological restoration is becoming increasingly necessary as humans degrade the landscape. Local ecological restoration volunteer programs educate concerned citizens in a hands-on fashion, connecting them with nature and perhaps leading them to behave in a more environmentally responsible manner. The master's project team worked with McHenry County Conservation District to revitalize a dormant ecological restoration-themed education program at Glacial Park in the greater Chicago area. The team contributed to planning, marketing, and implementing the three-day "Weekend of Restoration" event, which occurred in September 2011. During the event, 17 participants restored a wetland degraded by agriculture and learned about ecological restoration, Midwestern landscapes, and climate change through seminars and lectures. Participants reflected on their connection with the environment through discussions and through their active participation in the restoration process. The team administered a series of surveys to participants to evaluate the event and its impact on attitudes toward nature and environmental stewardship behaviors. The team also compiled a comprehensive set of recommendations and templates that McHenry County Conservation District will use to improve the event and transform it into a sustainable annual program.