These Wild Things conference resources and handouts were given out by presenters for the conference years 2007 through 2015. The resources are organized by the primary subjects area, i.e.:
- Advocacy/Constituency Building/Communication
- Arts/Culture/History
- Backyards/Neighborhoods/Urban Environment
- Birds/Bird Conservation
- Ecological Land Management and Restoration
- Ecological Monitoring/Research
- Natural History of the Chicago Region
- Sustainability/Climate Change
- Tools for Educators
- Volunteers/Stewardship/Community Engagement
- Water and Aquatic Ecosystems
- Youth Stewardship
Note: The link after the presenter’s name is to the session abstract for that conference year.
Advocacy/Constituency Building/Communication
- 7 Secrets the Government Does Not Want You To Know: Advocacy 101, Douglas Chien, 2015:2A
Resource(s): Advocacy 101 Outline.docx - Fighting a Five-Lane Highway through Deer Grove Forest Preserve: Lessons from the Struggle, Mark Krivchenia and copresenter(s), 2015:3A
Resource(s): Stopping Highway Thru Deer Grove.pdf - 7 Secrets the Government Does Not Want You to Know, Douglas Chien, 2013:A4
Resource(s): 2013 Presentation.pdf, Handout.docx - Get creative: Engage local elected officials in your conservation efforts, Bona J. Heinsohn and copresenter(s), 2011:A1
Resource(s): WildThingsA1.ppt - Economics and the environment: Opportunities for conservation finance and constituency building, Ken Bagstad, 2009:A3
Resource(s): WildThings09_Bagstad.pdf - People’s Changing Relationship with Nature, Dr. Oliver Pergams, 2009:J3
Resource(s): PergamsWildThings2009.wmf, www.videophilia.org - Conservation Economics for the Chicago Region, Ken Bagstad, PhD, 2007:A6
Resource(s): www.uvm.edu/~kbagstad/Ecoservices.html - Advocacy 101: How to Be an Effective Advocate, Karen Orenstein, 2007:A7
Resource(s): Effective_Advocacy.pdf, 4_07_IL_global_warming.pdf - Non-Profits and Lobbying – Yes You Can, Douglas Chien, 2007:M6
Resource(s): handout.pdf
Arts/Culture/History
- The City in Nature: Writing the Urban Landscape (Guided Discussion), Carol LaChapelle, 2015:2B
Resource(s): Wild Things Handout.pdf - Learning to Take Better Nature Pictures, Lisa Culp, 2015:3B
Resource(s): Wild Things Photography Talk 2015 for Trevor.docx - Water Monsters and Thunderbirds: Stalking the Mythological Wildlife of our Region, Judy Speer, 2013:B5
Resource(s): Water Monsters and Thunderbirds.doc - Water Monsters and Thunderbirds: Stalking the Mythological Wildlife of Our Region, Judy Speer, 2011:B3
Resource(s): Water Monsters and Thunderbirds resources.pdf, Water Monsters and Thunderbirds resources.doc - The Art and Artistry of Interpreting Nature , Lisa Roberts and copresenter(s), 2011:B6
Resource(s): PresentationWildThingsB6.pdf, www.sharonbladholm.com - Natural Bridges: Connecting Audiences to Nature through the Arts, Anamari Dorgan and copresenter(s), 2011:I1
Resource(s): TheMortonArboretumFunnel.pdf, WildThingsI1.pdf - Art and Nature: An Intersection Worth Visiting, Andrea Harris, 2009:B3
Resource(s): ArtAndNature.pdf - Simplifying the technique of digital photography, Charles Peterson, 2009:K2
Resource(s): Wild Things Conference.doc, ILbnl0406chp2712card-Edit.jpg and ILgwtrail0506chp2336.JPG - Henry Chandler Cowles: Pioneer Ecologist, Victor M. Cassidy, 2007:B4i
Resource(s): chicagowilderness.org/CW_Archives/issues/spring2007/cowles - Soarigami: Folding planes that look and fly like birds and bats, Sean Shaffer and copresenter(s), 2007:F1
Resource(s): bat_1_.jpg, bat_text.jpg, flyingsquirreltext.bmp, peregrinetext.bmp, pigeontext.bmp, shortearedowltext.pdf and turkeyvulturetext.pdf
Backyards/Neighborhoods/Urban Environment
- Native Landscaping at Home -Saving the Planet One Yard at a Time, Judy Speer, 2015:1M
Resource(s): SAVING THE PLANET ONE YARD AT A TIME handout.pdf - Raising Monarch Butterflies: Monarch Butterfly Nannies and Spirits, Sean Shaffer and copresenter(s), 2015:3C
Resource(s): MonarchBrochure.pdf - Calumet Restoration and Recreation – Big Marsh: The Role of Recreation in Open Lands Stewardship, Steve Buchtel and copresenter(s), 2015:4L
Resource(s): Roosevelt & Muir Make History at Big Marsh - Native Landscaping on Urban Campuses – Providing a Scientific Foundation for the Ecological Benefits of Native Landscaping, Carter O’Brien and copresenter(s), 2015:5M
Resource(s): Sustainable Chicago Fall issue, A Greener Field.pdf - New Citizen Science – Partners in Fieldwork: Urban High School Youth Working as Student Scientists, Matt Mulligan, 2015:6M
Resource(s): Partners in Fieldwork.pdf - Pollinators and Gardens – Native Bees in the Garden, Adrian Fisher, 2015:7L
Resource(s): NativeBeesInTheGardenReferences.pdf - Pollinators and Gardens – How to Build a Native Bee Nest Box, Jack Speer, 2015:7L
Resource(s): native bee nestbox.pdf - A mentoring program for homeowners with native plant gardens, Carol Rice and copresenter(s), 2011:C2
Resource(s): A Guide for Mentors.doc, Elements to consider if establishing a native plant mentoring program.doc, Interview Questions.doc, NGYYAPPLICATION.pdf , WildThingsConf.Outline.doc, WPPCMentoringProgramPPforposting.pdf - CW Green Infrastructure Vision: Implementation Opportunities for Land Owners, Local Governments, and Developers, Dennis Dreher, 2011:C4
Resource(s): GreenInfrastructureVision.pdf - When your closest neighbor isn’t human–learning to co-exist with backyard wildlife, Beth Flitz, 2009:C3
Resource(s): WhenYourClosestNeighborResourceList.pdf - Conservation @Home – Helping homeowners build eco-friendly yards that benefit people, water and wildlife!, Jim Kleinwachter, 2009:C6
Resource(s): BIO.doc, House–coneflowers.JPG, Klein1.jpg - Why Rain Gardens are Important, Sue Cubberly, 2007:C3
Resource(s): www.raingardennetwork.com
Birds/Bird Conservation
- Longitudinal Bird Studies – Mist Netting Birds within Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve: 22 Years of Data, Brian Kraskiewicz and copresenter(s), 2015:3L
Resource(s): MAPS Program.pdf - Greater Prairie Chickens in Illinois: A Story of Persistence and Rarity, Bob Gillespie, 2015:5B
Resource(s): IAS Greater Prairie Chicken FAQ Sheet.pdf IAS Greater Prairie Chicken FAQ Sheet.pdf - Kane County Chimney Swift Tower Project, Rich and Marion Miller, 2015:7B
Resource(s): CHIMNEY SWIFT TOWER NESTING TIDBITS FOR MONITORS.docx, Hows and Whys of Monitoring.docx, IMPORTANT OBSERVATIONS WHEN MONITORING.docx, Tower Roosting Data Sheet.pdf, Tower Nesting Data Sheet.pdf, Resource List.docx - Introducing Birds: Tips and Tricks, John M. Elliott, 2013:K2
Resource(s): bird walk for wild things outline.doc - Learning to Bird by Ear: Recognizing and Identifying Birds by Their Vocalizations, Geoffrey A. Williamson, 2009:D1
Resource(s): Birding_By_Ear_sample_slides_Williamson.pdf, birding_by_ear_handout_Williamson.pdf - 100 Years of Changing Bird Communities in Illinois, Jeff Walk, 2009:D2
Resource(s): Walk et al.ppt - Resources for Bird Habitat Restoration Advocates, Bob Fisher and copresenter(s), 2007:M2
Resource(s): List of Resources for Bird Conservation Advocates - Birds of Fermilab, Peter Kasper, 2007:N5
Resource(s): home.fnal.gov/~kasper/#birds
Ecological Land Management and Restoration
- The Betz Prairie Turns 40: Lessons Learned and What You Didn’t Know About Current Ecological Land Management at Fermilab, Ryan Campbell, 2015:1D
Resource(s): Fermilab.pdf - Sleeping Beauties: How to Germinate Dormant Seeds, Kelly Schultz, 2015:2E
Resource(s): Sleeping Beauties slides handout.pdf - Ten-Year Case Study: Impacts of Ecological Restoration on Grassland Bird Communities at North Branch Conservation Area in McHenry County, Cindi Jablonski, 2015:3F
Resource(s): WildThings_NorthBranchStudy.pdf - Restoration Techniques – Prairie Plugs with No Hand Tools, Jim Alwill, 2015:3M
Resource(s): PrairiePlugsWithNoHandToolsSlides.pdf - Restoration Techniques – Life Cycle of Teasel and How to Eradicate It, Jim Alwill, 2015:3M
Resource(s): TeaselSlides.pdf, TeaselPoster.pdf - Restoration Techniques – Basal Bark vs. Cut, Stack, & Burn, Floyd Catchpole, 2015:3M
Resource(s): BB vs CSB.docx - Conserving Chicago’s North Shore Ravines, Rachel Goad and copresenter(s), 2015:4E
Resource(s): < Conserving Illinois Ravines_handouts.pdf, Conserving Illinois North Shore Ravines.pdf - The Chicago Ridge Prairie: The Management and Restoration of a Lake Plain Prairie in an Urban Landscape, Louis Mulé, 2015:4F
Resource(s): CRP Trail Notes 2014 v2.pdf, Crp.heritagelands.pdf, crp2008-species lists.pdf - Twenty Years of Bird Monitoring and Habitat Management at Springbrook Prairie, Joe Suchecki, 2015:5C
Resource(s): 2015 Springbrook Program.ppt - Creating Shrubland Bird Habitat – How to Turn a Shrub Thicket into Good Bird Habitat, Karen Glennemeier and copresenter(s), 2015:5L
Resource(s): Glennemeier – Creating Shrubland Bird Habitat.pdf - The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: How to Evaluate and Restore Natural Areas, Jack Shouba, 2013:M2
Resource(s): WildThings2013GoodBadUgly.docx - Bridgeview Court Natural Area: Restoration & Diversity Management in an Urban Setting, Louis Mulé, 2011:A4
Resource(s): bcna2010LifeList.pdf - Panel: Wildlife Restoration, Joanne Earnhardt and copresenter(s), 2011:E6
Resource(s): ResourcesManagingWildlifeHabitat.doc - Panel: Whether and how to include endangered and threatened species in restoration seed mixes or other types of distribution: current policies, practices, knowledge and guidelines, Susanne Masi and copresenter(s), 2011:F3
Resource(s): IllinoisPlantTranslocationPolicy.pdf, JGrilloWildThingsPanelStatement.docx, JaneBalabanQuestionstoguidepresentations.docx, TranslocationofEndangeredThreatenedSpecies.ppt - Panel: Invasive Species Control, Kent Fuller and copresenter(s), 2011:F6
Resource(s): Invasiveshandout.docx - What are the historic fire frequencies in Midwestern forests, woodlands, and savannas? New data from a 226-year fire scar record, Greg Spyreas, 2011:G4
Resource(s): https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/spyreas/Midwest Fire Regime/ - Site Based Restoration Planning and prioritization – Case studies, Steve Flexman and copresenter(s), 2009:E3
Resource(s): conrad12009.pdf - Oaks and Fire, Greg Nowacki, 2009:F2
Resource(s): AbramsNowacki Holocene.pdf, s9-02-08.pdf - Restoring Prairies and Managing Stormwater with Environmental Stewardship Vision: The MWRD Leading By Example, Lakhwinder S. Hundal, Ph.D. and copresenter(s), 2009:L6
Resource(s): Wildones-Handout.pdf - Oak Keepers of Project Quercus Survey Private Woodlots, Gregory T. Rajsky and copresenter(s), 2009:M4
Resource(s): Rajsky_Haderlein_Nelson_OakKeepers_ms2.pdf - Evaluation of an Oak Woodland Restoration at Deer Grove Forest Preserve, Pete Jackson, 2009:M5
Resource(s): wild things 2009 jackson_compressed.pdf - The Control of Invasives, Al Wilson, 2007:J3
Resource(s): The Control of Invasives.doc - Increased Diversity in Prairie Restorations, Stephen Packard and copresenter(s), 2007:M3
Resource(s): Increased_Diversity_in_Prairie_Restorations.pdf
Ecological Monitoring/Research
- A Users Guide to Floristic Quality Assessment (FQI and Mean C), Greg Spyreas, 2015:2F
Resource(s): Guide to Floristic Quality.pptx or Guide to Floristic Quality.pdf - Restoration, Colonization, and Recovery: A Ten-Year Study of Amphibian Community Dynamics Following Habitat Restoration, Allison Sacerdote-Velat, PhD, 2015:2G
Resource(s): Amphibians.pdf - Ten years of Demographic Changes in Du Page County Woodlands, Scott Kobal, 2015:3J
Resource(s): 10YearsDemographicChangesDuPageCoWoodlands.pdf - The Ecology of Acorns, Thomas Simpson, 2015:4G
Resource(s): Oak Research Summary F2014.pdf - Wildlife Research – Wildlife Recovery Projects in Lake, McHenry, and DuPage Counties, AllisonSacerdote-Velat, 2015:4M
Resource(s): Wildlife restoration.pdf - Soil Collapse Phenomenon Due to Off-Site Influence, Gregory Rajsky and copresenter(s), 2015:5E
Resource(s): SoilCollapsePhenomenon.pdf - The Chicago Region Oak Recovery Project, LindsayDarling, 2015:5F
Resource(s): Oak Recovery.pdf - Mapping Buckthorn at a Regional Scale, Mark Johnston and copresenter(s), 2015:6I
Resource(s): Mapping Buckthorn Presentation.pdf,
Buckthorn Mapping Project for Volunteer & Steward Data Entry - Demystifying Mapping: Low-Cost and Easy Tools for Mapping Natural Areas, Plus Other Fun Tech Tools, Erika Hasle and copresenter(s), 2015:6J
Resource(s): Demystifying Mapping.pdf - Fourteen Years of Spatial Data from Plants of Concern (POC): What Are We Learning?, Rachel Goad and copresenter(s), 2015:7F
Resource(s): Spatial Data POC.pdf - Introduction to the Insects, John and Jane Balaban, 2013:G2
Resource(s): Insects and Spiders 2013 – 9.pdf, Insects and Spiders 2013.pdf, Phylum Arthropoda-2013.docx - The Duckweeds Revealed, Wayne A. Lampa and copresenter(s), 2013:G5
Resource(s): Field Guide to Lemna v6.pdf - Orchid Restoration -Decisionmaking Process: Whether or not to cross pollinate between populations of the eastern prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera leucophaea), Cathy Pollack, 2013:J5
Resource(s): 2012 EPFO Cross-pollination Final Draft.pdf, Translocating_Genetic Material_EPFO_04_01_2012 (1).pdf - The Reproduction and Ecology of Oaks, Thomas Simpson, 2011:E2
Resource(s): Simpson-Oak Reproduction.pdf - Biological Survey of Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago Property, Ronald French and copresenter(s), 2011:G6
Resource(s): MWRDGCBioSurveySessionG6.pdf - Plants of Concern: 10 years of citizen-based rare plant monitoring, Susanne Masi, 2011:L4
Resource(s): PlantsOfConcernWildThingsPresentation2011.pdf - Citizen Science: Tracking Nature in Chicago Wilderness, Karen Glennemeier and copresenter(s), 2009:F1
Resource(s): POC info sheet.pdf - Carex in Woods and Woodland Gardens, Linda Curtis, 2007:E3
Resource(s): Carex.doc, Carex_front_coversmall.jpg, and http://www.curtistothethird.com - Monitoring Projects and Lessons we have Learned, Diane Huebner and copresenter(s), 2007:H3
Resource(s): Monitoring Projects.doc and Plants of Concern.doc
Natural History of the Chicago Region
- Introduction to Identification and Ecology of Oak Woodland Leaf Litter Spiders, James Steffen, 2015:1H
Resource(s): Spiders.pdf, Spider References.pdf, SteffenTGLE2010.pdf - Bears, Cougars and Wolves…Oh My! Adapting to Life with Large Carnivores in Chicago’s Urban Wilderness, Karly Tumminello and copresenter(s), 2015:1I
Resource(s): WildThings2015.pdf, animaliaproject.org/wildlife, ben.edu/museum/resources.cfm - Rare and Showy Plants of the Chicago Region and the Habitats That Support Them, Christopher David Benda, 2015:2I
Resource(s): Rare and Showy Plants of the Chicago Region - Singing Insects: Conservation Concerns, Carl Strang, 2015:4I
Resource(s): 2015 Singing Insects Outline.docx
Please see Online Resources—Insects for an updated guide. - The Flora of a Globally Imperiled Flatwoods Community in LaPorte County, Indiana, Scott Namestnik, 2015:5G
Resource(s): Flora of Imperiled Flatwoods Community.pdf - An Ecological History of Bison in Illinois over the Last 9,000 Years, Chris Widga and copresenter(s), 2015:posters
Resource(s): NativeBeesInTheGardenReferences.pdf, native bee nestbox.pdf - The Plant Class, Barbara Birmingham, 2013:B3
Resource(s): Ppt0000000.ppt - An introduction to the insects and spiders of the North Branch, John and Jane Balaban, 2011:J5
Resource(s): Phylum Arthropoda-alt.docx - Singing Insects on the Move, Carl A. Strang, 2011:J6
Resource(s): 2011 Wild Things handout.doc, Singing Insects 2010.doc - Singing Insects, Carl A. Strang, 2009:F6
Resource(s): CW_presentation_outline[1].pdf - The Fragmented Landscape: Post-settlement Changes in the Natural Vegetation of the Chicago Region of Illinois, Marlin Bowles and copresenter(s), 2007:E2
Resource(s): Prairie.pdf, Wetland.pdf and Forest.pdf - Introduction to Singing Insects, Carl Strang, 2007:G5
Resource(s): Singing_insects_brief_handout.doc, sound samples for crickets and katydids, sound samples for cicadas
Sustainability/Climate Change
- Transit to Trail: Exploring Conservation Areas without a Car, Susan Ask and copresenter(s), 2015:6K
Resource(s): TransitToTrailWildThings2015.pdf, link to Transit to Trail program and link to the Transit to Trail facebook page - Shifting Migrations: Chicago Birds Respond to Climate Change, Michael J. Spear and copresenter(s), 2015:7I
Resource(s): Shifting Migrations.pdf - The Bugs and The Bees, Christine Nye and copresenter(s), 2013:C5
Resource(s): Wild Things Resources.docx - Outreach – Get heard through the noise: best practices in conservation communications (Lightning Round), Meg Matthews and copresenter(s), 2013:K5
Resource(s): Wild Things 2013- Shedd Resources.pdf - Sustainability Studies: Re-envisioning Education in the Urban Environment, Michael A. Bryson and copresenter(s), 2011:D6
Resource(s): BrysonZimring WildThings 2011 v2.pdf, BPS SUST Fact sheet.pdf, BA SUST Fact sheet.pdf - Climate change impacts in the Chicago Wilderness region, Kimberly Hall, 2011:I2
Resource(s): Hall_Chicago_Wildthings_March2011.pdf - What Natural Areas managers could do now to begin to adapt to climate change, Bill Kleiman, 2011:I4
Resource(s): WildThingsChicagoClimateAdaptationTalk2011March5.pptx - Restoring Sustainability to Human Landscapes, Judy Speer, 2009:A2
Resource(s): wild things presentation 2009 handout.doc, WILD THINGS CONFERENCE 2009 PRESENTATION.doc - Global Warming: The Choice is Ours, Richard Treptow, 2007:K2
Resource(s): Global_Warming_Presentation_Summary.doc
Tools for Educators
- Less Is More: Good Signs = Effective Communication, John Elliott, 2015:2J
Resource(s): FF tests.doc, Less is More 2015.pdf, References.doc, right size story.doc, some language thoughts.doc - Prairie Preservation: A Collaborative Effort between Citizens for Conservation and Barrington District 220 Fourth Grade Citizen Scientists, Edith Auchter and copresenter(s), 2015:2K
Resource(s): WildThingspublic.ppsx - Creating Ecological Restoration Summer Camps for Cook County Children (Guided Discussion), Mark Krivchenia, 2015:4J
Resource(s): Cook County Ecological Restoration Summer Camps.pdf - Project Learning Tree: A Trail Mix of Activities for Students & Teachers, Laura McCoy and copresenter(s), 2015:5I
Resource(s): PLT and the NGSS.pdf, How To Use NGSS in a Non-Formal Setting-Handouts.pdf - Forest Preserve District of DuPage County: Centennial BioBlitz and Nature Discovery Day, Carl Strang, 2015:5J
Resource(s): 2015 Bioblitz Outline.docx - Birds in Poetry, John Elliott, 2011:D3
Resource(s): BirdsWThingsppt.pdf, BirdsWildThings2011.pdf - Monarchs: biology, migration, citizen science conservation and becoming a certified waystation, Pat Miller, 2011:H5
Resource(s): monarch Resources.doc - Recruiting Church Groups and Other Faith-based Organizations as Volunteers in Natural Areas, Jack Speer and copresenter(s), 2009:J1
Resource(s): M wild things notes.doc, Workshop WILD THINGS Jack Speer.doc - Reaching the Community through Organization of Festivals, Events, and Lectures, Becky Hartman and Jane Balaban, 2009:J2
Resource(s): NachusaGrasslandsCommunityOutreach.jpg - Reaching the Community by Engaging Schools, Community Leaders, and Corporations, Kent and Jerry Fuller and copresenter(s), 2009:J5
Resource(s): WildThings09-Partners.pptx - Create Awareness while Raising Money for Stewardship, Karen Hunter , James Ellis and Derek Liebert, 2009:J6
Resource(s): WildThings 09-Tech.pptx - Leave No Child Inside: Regional Efforts & National Strides, Sean Shaffer and copresenter(s), 2009:K1
Resource(s): Data Trends SPG.doc - Telling Stories with Pictures – Painting Pictures with Words, Barb Wilson, 2007:F3
Resource(s): Barb’s Presentation.pdf
Volunteers/Stewardship/Community Engagement
- How to Reach and Connect with People (Guided Discussion), Patricia Hayes and copresenter(s), 2015:2L
Resource(s): ReachAndConnectWith People.docx - How do stewards educate the public and get politicians’ support for open space and ecological management?, Patricia Hayes, 2011:K4
Resource(s): WildThingsK4.pptx - Natural Collaboration, Emily Kenny and copresenter(s), 2007:F5
Resource(s): F5.doc - The Chicago Wilderness Field Passport, Patricia Hayes, 2007:F6
Resource(s): Steward_Participation.doc and Summary.doc - “Oh, Help Me!” Getting the Help You Need, April Anderson, 2007:L6
Resource(s): Wild_Things_Conference2007.pdf This program may not be copied without permission and acknowledgement
Water and Aquatic Ecosystems
- Urban Streams – Buffalo Creek, Urban Stream Syndrome, and Community-Based Solutions, Jeff Weiss, 2015:2M
Resource(s): BuffaloCreekUrbanStreamSyndrome.pdf
Youth Stewardship
- The Next Generation of Conservation Leaders: Creating Advocates and Stewards for the Next Century (Guided Discussion), Alison Paul and copresenter(s), 2015:7K
Resource(s): 5 things you can do.pdf - The Living Map – Teaching Natural History and Restoration to Elementary Aged Students, Kim Caldwell, 2007:F2
Resource(s): Living_Map.pdf and RestoringIL.pdf