Sitting between two mighty rivers, the Illinois and Mississippi, west-central Illinois is a landscape shaped by water and home to wetlands, prairies, and woodlands.
Explore the land between the rivers this September at the 2024 Illinois Master Naturalist Conference. This annual gathering brings Master Naturalist volunteers and coordinators together to learn and grow their skills as advocates, teachers, and environmental stewards.
On Thursday, Sept. 26, hit the road for the field trip of your choice to explore conservation sites on the journey to Macomb. That evening, get your campfire songs ready for a bonfire, food, insect night lighting, and a bat walk at Lake View Nature Center.
Then, on Friday, Sept. 27, grow your knowledge about conservation and ecology with a day of sessions with environmental experts from across the Midwest at the Spoon River Outreach Center in Macomb. World-renowned oak tree expert Guy Sternberg will start the day with the keynote address on native trees in a changing climate.
Details
Registration opens August 5. Sign up by September 15. The cost to attend is $45 and includes lunch on Friday. There are additional fees for some tours. Certified arborist CEUs are available.
T-shirts are available to preorder for $20. Orders are due by August 30 and can be made with registration or separately below.
For general conference questions, contact Chris Enroth at cenroth@illinois.edu or (309) 837-3939; or Katherine Budde at kbudde@illinois.edu or (309) 342-5108.
Lodging Options
- Hotels in Macomb: Hampton Inn of Macomb, Best Western Macomb Inn, University Union Hotel
- Camping: Argyle Lake State Park, Colchester; Spring Lake Campground, Macomb
Conference Schedule
Review the full schedule of events and session descriptions in the 2024 Illinois Master Naturalist Conference guide.
September 26 | Field Trips, Tours and Activities
Tours and sessions are open to Illinois Extension staff and Master Naturalists. The Thursday evening activity is open to other guests.
- 9:45 AM Illinois River Driving Tour
- 10 AM Mississippi River Boat, Drive, and Hike Tour
- 10 AM Sustainable and Regenerative Agriculture Farm Tour
- 10 AM Invasive Species and Habitat Restoration
- 10 AM Forest Management: Tree ID, Best Management Practices, and Invasive Species
- 1 PM Conservation Interpretation: Magic Through Making Art
- 5:30-8:30 PM A Night in Nature: Bats, Insects, and Bonfires
September 27 | Keynote Address and Breakout Sessions
9 AM-3 PM | Spoon River College Outreach Center, 2500 E Jackson, Macomb, IL 61455
Explore the event schedule with full descriptions on the Master Naturalist State Conference website.
- 9 AM Keynote Address: Native Trees in a Changing Climate
- 10:30 AM Breakout Session 1
- 11:30 AM Lunch
- 12:30 PM Breakout Session 2
- 1:45 PM Breakout Session 3
