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The Wild Things Conference Returns Saturday, March 1, 2025 - SOLD OUT

We’re thrilled to welcome you again to learn and share your expertise with our community. We’ve put together an exciting lineup of workshops and sessions from regional and national experts, plus meet & greets, video content, exhibitors, and sponsors. With over 140 presentations and discussion panels to choose from, the in-person program engages a diverse range of topics, research, and skills, and plenty of opportunities to meet with friends, old and new.

Thank you as well to our sponsors, scholarship supporters, and exhibitors who are all helping to make this another tremendously successful Wild Things.

Tickets for Wild Things 2025 are sold out. For additional information on the 2025 conference, visit wildthingscommunity.org.

**PLEASE NOTE: Some details are subject to change.**

NOTICE: Please be advised that photos and videos will be taken during Wild Things 2025. By attending, you consent to be photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded. Your attendance on this event constitutes your agreement to the use of any resulting media by Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves for promotional, marketing, or any other purpose in perpetuity, without further approval or any compensation. 
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The Giant Puffball: Meet Illinois' first official state mushroom and the students who made it happen
Saturday March 1, 2025 1:15pm - 2:00pm CST
Room 40
In November 2023, spurred by the question of a 5th grade student, the Prairie School of DuPage began a journey that linked civics and science. After studying state symbols, the entire Upper Elementary class began the rigorous process of ensuring Illinois could designate an Illinois state mushroom species. Through the process of gathering qualitative and quantitative data and working with local state legislatures, students decided to advocate for the Giant puffball. Learn how students made history ensuring that SB3514 passed into law in August 2024.
Presenters
avatar for Erin Hemmer

Erin Hemmer

Upper Elementary Teacher, Prairie School of DuPage
I began my career as an educator 19 years ago. I have taught multiple age levels and subjects in a variety of settings in Illinois. The past two years I have served as an Upper Elementary Math and Language Arts teacher at Prairie School of DuPage. There I helped the students designate... Read More →
LM
Saturday March 1, 2025 1:15pm - 2:00pm CST
Room 40
  Environmental Education, General

Attendees (74)


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