The Wild Things conference is a celebration of nature, wildlife, ecosystem restoration, birding, botanizing, networking, and discovery – from the lowly mushroom to the high-flying falcon. The conservation community comes together to learn from each other and the best experts, and enjoys a day jam-packed with handpicked panels that run the spectrum in causes, complexity, and creativity. Spend a day with other people who care for the ecosystems of Illinois, and the planet, and find ways to help. We are stewards, advocates, and educators – volunteers and professionals – coming together with urgent hope to appreciate and protect prairies, woodlands, wetlands, wild yards, and wilder hearts.
For the first time ever, Wild Things is moving south for 2026 - join us in O'Fallon, IL on January 31, 2026!
Wild Things is an educational program of Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves.