Illinois Forestry Association upcoming events

IFA 21st Annual Conference (09/17/2026)

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 18:00:00 GMT

See event program and more information

Overview

Join forest landowners, conservation professionals, and nature enthusiasts for three days dedicated to Illinois wildlife and habitat management. This year’s program features exclusive field tours at the renowned Nachusa Grasslands, expert-led educational sessions, and valuable networking opportunities.

Conference Schedule

Thursday, Sept 17: Kickoff with a pre-conference site visit to Nachusa Grasslands in the afternoon, and a fireside cocktail evening at the Jarrett Prairie Center.
Friday, Sept 18: Full day of educational sessions, member meeting, and silent auction.
Saturday, Sept 19: A special IFA annual conference attendee-only tour at the Nachusa Grasslands Fall Festival.

Why Attend?

Exclusive Access: Explore Nachusa Grasslands, a premier site for bison reintroduction, prairie restoration, and conservation research.
Expert Insights: Participate in hands-on demonstrations and talks focused on forest health and wildlife habitat.
Community: Connect with fellow conservationists during our networking sessions and support IFA programs through our silent auction.

Hotels Nearby

Courtyard by Marriott Rockford (32 min drive)
Hilton Garden Inn Rockford (34 min drive)

See event program and more information

IFA 21st Annual Conference (09/17/2026)

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 22:00:00 GMT

See event program and more information

Overview

Conference Schedule

Thursday, Sept 17: Kickoff with a pre-conference site visit to Nachusa Grasslands in the afternoon, and a fireside cocktail evening at the Jarrett Prairie Center.
Friday, Sept 18: Full day of educational sessions, member meeting, and silent auction.
Saturday, Sept 19: A special IFA annual conference attendee-only tour at the Nachusa Grasslands Fall Festival.

Why Attend?

Exclusive Access: Explore Nachusa Grasslands, a premier site for bison reintroduction, prairie restoration, and conservation research.
Expert Insights: Participate in hands-on demonstrations and talks focused on forest health and wildlife habitat.
Community: Connect with fellow conservationists during our networking sessions and support IFA programs through our silent auction.

Hotels Nearby

Courtyard by Marriott Rockford (32 min drive)
Hilton Garden Inn Rockford (34 min drive)

See event program and more information

IFA 21st Annual Conference (09/18/2026)

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT

See event program and more information

Overview

Conference Schedule

Thursday, Sept 17: Kickoff with a pre-conference site visit to Nachusa Grasslands in the afternoon, and a fireside cocktail evening at the Jarrett Prairie Center.
Friday, Sept 18: Full day of educational sessions, member meeting, and silent auction.
Saturday, Sept 19: A special IFA annual conference attendee-only tour at the Nachusa Grasslands Fall Festival.

Why Attend?

Exclusive Access: Explore Nachusa Grasslands, a premier site for bison reintroduction, prairie restoration, and conservation research.
Expert Insights: Participate in hands-on demonstrations and talks focused on forest health and wildlife habitat.
Community: Connect with fellow conservationists during our networking sessions and support IFA programs through our silent auction.

Hotels Nearby

Courtyard by Marriott Rockford (32 min drive)
Hilton Garden Inn Rockford (34 min drive)

See event program and more information

IFA 21st Annual Conference (09/19/2026)

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 15:00:00 GMT

See event program and more information

Overview

Conference Schedule

Thursday, Sept 17: Kickoff with a pre-conference site visit to Nachusa Grasslands in the afternoon, and a fireside cocktail evening at the Jarrett Prairie Center.
Friday, Sept 18: Full day of educational sessions, member meeting, and silent auction.
Saturday, Sept 19: A special IFA annual conference attendee-only tour at the Nachusa Grasslands Fall Festival.

Why Attend?

Exclusive Access: Explore Nachusa Grasslands, a premier site for bison reintroduction, prairie restoration, and conservation research.
Expert Insights: Participate in hands-on demonstrations and talks focused on forest health and wildlife habitat.
Community: Connect with fellow conservationists during our networking sessions and support IFA programs through our silent auction.

Hotels Nearby

Courtyard by Marriott Rockford (32 min drive)
Hilton Garden Inn Rockford (34 min drive)

See event program and more information

Third Annual Pawpaw Festival (09/26/2026)

Sat, 26 Sep 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Celebrate North America’s largest native tree fruit at the Third Annual Pawpaw Festival in Paw Paw, Illinois! This free, family-friendly event highlights the unique, tropical flavor of the native pawpaw and offers a great opportunity for woodland owners and native plant enthusiasts to learn more about this incredible species.

When: Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, beginning at 10 a.m.
Where: Paw Paw Veterans Park, 314 Chapman Street, Paw Paw, IL
Admission: Free and open to the public

Festival Highlights:

Tastings & Treats: Enjoy free tastings of fresh pawpaw fruit, along with unique creations like pawpaw beer, pawpaw ice cream, and custom pawpaw cheesecake by Eli's Cheesecake.
Trees & Fruit for Sale: Take home your own native pawpaw trees and fresh fruit from local growers.
Educational Programming: Learn about native fruit cultivation, forest stewardship, and the genetics of growing pawpaws.
Family Fun: Explore local vendors, live music, kids' activities, and educational tram tours highlighting local pawpaw patches.

For more details, vendor registration, or directions, visit pawpawfest.org.

Ladner Field Day (10/03/2026)

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us for a first-hand look at active forest management! This field day is a great opportunity for local landowners to see how a formal Forest Management Plan works on the ground and learn how to navigate cost-share funding programs for proper ty improvements.

What We'll Cover:

Management & Funding: The process of getting a forest plan written and securing financial assistance to offset costs.
Invasive Species Control: Real-world results of bush honeysuckle removal, including recent mechanical forestry mulching and contractor treatments.
Timber Stand Improvement: On-site contractor Mike McKim is handling the invasive mulching and will be there to share his expertise on all aspects of timber stand improvement, including specialized equipment and herbicide applications.
Owner Improvements: A look at hands-on timber stand and property improvements completed around the homestead, featuring firsthand insights directly from the landowner himself, Paul Ladner.

If you want a closer look at how a fellow landowner tackles property management on the ground, register today to join us!

Nipper Wildlife Sanctuary Field Day (10/24/2026)

Sat, 24 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Oh Deer! Evil Tree Tubes, Floods, and Plagues: Trials and Tribulations of a Restoration Tree Planting

Join the Illinois Forestry Association for an immersive and eye-opening field day at the beautiful Nipper Wildlife Sanctuary, located just southeast of Loami in Sangamon County. Led by tour leader Mike Kennedy, this two- to three-hour event takes you behind the scenes of a real-world oak and hickory ecosystem restoration to explore the monumental successes and frustrating struggles of bringing a woodland back to life.

The tour focuses heavily on the practical, hands-on realities of ecological restoration across ten acres of upland and bottomland woodlands. Participants will get an up-close look at extensive invasive species removal, discuss ongoing monitoring strategies, and examine the "good, the bad, and the ugly" of using various tree protection tubes to ward off deer and rodents. Mike will also dive into the forward-thinking concept of assisted migration and how selecting specific tree species can maximize future forest diversity and resilience.

To reach the woodlands, the tour begins with a quarter-mile walk on a mowed path through a beautifully restored prairie and wetlands. Once in the woods, expect a mile or less of walking on mowed, slightly hilly trails. Please dress for the weather, wear comfortable and sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots, and bring your questions for an honest look at habitat restoration. An on-site building with restroom facilities is available.