Wild Things 2009: Overview
Saturday, February 7, 2009
University of Illinois at Chicago
Wild Things will feature more than 70 large and small-group sessions drawn from real-life experiences with everything from the nitty gritty of habitat management and wildlife conservation to advocacy, education, art, culture, history and backyard and neighborhood ecology. It’s a great opportunity to listen, ask questions, and contribute to the effort to conserve the natural ecosystems and habitats of the greater Chicagoland area.
Our keynote speaker this year is Doug Ladd, Director of Conservation Science, Missouri Field Office of The Nature Conservancy. His topic is:
Sustaining our natural heritage: where are we and what next?
Chicago Wilderness has pioneered an approach for holistically integrating conservation into the fabric of human society. While much has been accomplished, success is still uncertain. Given the daunting trends impacting natural resources on several fronts, it is critical that we dispassionately assess where we stand and lessons learned to date. At the same time, we need to change default perceptions regarding key conservation issues, both in the conservation arena and among general society. In order for society to embrace an explicit vision of conservation success, Chicago Wilderness and similar efforts will have to increase their leadership roles in defining and promoting what we as a people must accomplish to sustain a vibrant, productive culture that recognizes its dependence on a diverse, healthy biosphere.
For directions, fees and how to register, and exhibit space, see below.
To volunteer to help with the conference, send us an email at send us an E-mail. You may also help publicize the conference.
For more information, call 847.328.3910 ext. 21. (If you have a problem with the Audubon payment page, please send an email to us including the error message.)
Conference Fees:
$27 registration on or before 1/26
$35 registration after 1/26
$15 student registration
$10 box lunch (includes vegetarian option)
Registration fees are non-refundable. If you need a reduced rate because of special circumstances, leave a message at 847.328.3910 ext. 21.
Sessions may be changed, added, or dropped prior to the conference. You will receive an updated schedule on the day of the conference. There is limited room for all sessions.
Registration:
You may register one of three ways:
- Register online (On the first registration page, please select your preferences for breakout sessions so that we can assign room sizes to meet demand. Once you have completed the first page, you will be taken to the payment page sponsored by the Audubon Society. The Audubon payment page is on a secure server. You will need to enter your personal credit card information there in order to complete the transaction.)
download the conference brochure and mail it to: 1718 Sherman Avenue #210, Evanston, IL 60201. Make checks payable to National Audubon Society.- Register by faxing the brochure to 847.328.4146.
Audubon accepts only Visa, Mastercard, or American Express credit cards.
Getting there:
The conference will be held in the Student Center East at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
The UIC Student Center East is located at 750 South Halsted (between Harrison and Taylor) in Chicago. Directions to the University (including public transportation) and a map are available from the UIC website. A parking garage is located just across Halsted from the Student Union and costs $6 for the day.
