Meet us at the Midwest Society for Acoustic Ecology (MSAE) exhibitors’ table and hear MSAE members Alex Braidwood and Eric Leonardson deliver talks and music on soundwalking and nature.

The Wild Things 2023 Conference invites nature enthusiasts from across Illinois and beyond to learn about the flora, fauna, and natural history of the Prairie State! Join a community of volunteers, conservationists, and natural resource professionals at the 2023 Conference to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Illinois Nature Preserves.

Wild Things and MSAE are thrilled to welcome you again to learn and share your expertise with our community. Wild Things 2023 offers an exciting lineup workshops and sessions from regional and national experts, plus meet & greets, video content, exhibitors, and sponsors.

With dozens 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! You can add a boxed lunch at checkout; there is also several dining options near the conference venue. Plus, be sure to join the celebratory evening happy hour featuring poster sessions, music by Nature Sound DJ Alex Braidwood, and more!

Once you complete checkout, you will be redirected to our conference app where you can view conference sessions and begin to build your schedule for the day!

Thanks to the support of our partner, The Nature Conservancy in Illinois, we are proud to offer scholarships to Black, Indigenous and Other People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA+, Veterans, and People with Disabilities to help cover conference registration fees, lunch, travel, and lodging. Learn more and apply here. Students can also access discounted admission for the in-person program (please use a .edu email address to register).

COVID-19 vaccination is required for all in-person attendees, presenters, staff, volunteers, and guests at Wild Things 2023. Refunds of your admission and any additional purchases will be offered for 14 days after the date of purchase. View our health and refund policies here.

For more information on Wild Things 2023, please visit wildthingscommunity.org.