Wild Things 2025: Full Schedule

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.

10:15am CST

Climate VIP's: Increasing youth engagement in climate education by making it personal

Saturday March 1, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am CST

Room 42

We’re most familiar with ‘VIP’ standing for ‘very important person’. The ‘P’ in VIP can also stand for places, phenomena, project, or passion. During this session you will explore your own Climate VIP and come away with tools to help people view the climate crisis as something that affects them directly. After identifying their Climate VIP, people can begin the conversation about how each individual already possesses the interests and skills needed to take climate and environmental justice action regardless of age, prior knowledge, or background.

Presenters

Jessica Stevens

Saturday March 1, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am CST
Room 42

Environmental Education, Intro

Session Session Block A: 10:15 - 11 AM

10:15am CST

Planting the Future: Teaching Kids to Appreciate and Protect Native Ecosystems

Saturday March 1, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am CST

Room 45

The topic of native plants in early childhood and youth education is vital and often overlooked. Discover practical strategies for integrating local flora and fauna into the classroom and at home, fostering a deeper connection to nature. We'll share hands-on, age-appropriate activities designed to spark curiosity and teach children of all ages about biodiversity and ecosystem health. Leave equipped with simple, creative ideas to make nature education interactive and impactful. Together, with hands dirty and hearts full, we can inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.

Presenters

Michelle Bolander

Sag Moraine Native Plant Community

2025 Wild Things Presentation Planting the Future pdf

Planting the Future Supplement 2025 Wild Things pdf

Saturday March 1, 2025 10:15am - 11:00am CST
Room 45

Environmental Education, Intro

Session Session Block A: 10:15 - 11 AM

11:15am CST

Becoming a Watershed Warrior

Saturday March 1, 2025 11:15am - 12:00pm CST

Room 43

You’ll see in the award-winning short film Watershed Warriors, Friends of the Fox River builds a watershed community of caretakers focusing on youth education; their unique niche is hosting students in local streams to discover its abundant life, collect data, and foster stewardship. Their annual It’s Our Fox River Day, covers the 200-mile watershed featuring over 50 events, including numerous municipalities and partners, involving over 1000 participants. Extensive outreach education, cleanups, celebrations, and advocacy fill their calendar. Friends of the Fox River serves as an inspirational model for individuals like you and your organizations to give your watershed a voice.

Presenters

Gary Swick

President and Educator, Friends of the Fox River

Former classroom and field educator, now working as a volunteer. Focusing upon protecting and restoring the Fox River Watershed through education and advocacy. Avid paddler.

Courtney Boe

Katelin Shields Johnson

Saturday March 1, 2025 11:15am - 12:00pm CST
Room 43

Environmental Education, Intro

Session Session Block B: 11:15 - 12 PM

12:30pm CST

Inclusion Strategies for Early Childhood Programs

Saturday March 1, 2025 12:30pm - 1:00pm CST

Room 49

Opportunities to experience camp and nature play should be accessible for all children. Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s Camp program and the Hamill Family Play Zoo welcome children with various cognitive and physical disabilities by creating inclusive experiences based on universal design. Zoo staff share their insight around utilizing specific tools and strategies to best support this and allow children of all abilities to connect to, care for, and conserve nature.

Presenters

Sarah Blazer

Kelly Reina

Manager, Early Childhood Education, Brookfield Zoo Chicago

I have a passion for promoting equity and inclusion in education programs (particularly in STEAM and conservation programs).

Jill Damato

Manager of Nature Play Programs, Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Jill has been part of the Hamill Family Play Zoo team since the exhibit opened over 20 years ago. Starting as frontline staff and now as the Manager of Play Programs, she’s had opportunities to learn and collaborate in informal early childhood education, nature play, and disability... Read More →

Saturday March 1, 2025 12:30pm - 1:00pm CST
Room 49

Environmental Education, Intro

Session Session Block C: 12:30 - 1 PM