ALL FIELD TRIPS TAKE PLACE ON NOVEMBER 5
Registration Opens August 3
The Negaunee Foundation’s generous support of the Chicago Wilderness Alliance Congress 2026 Field Trips will help advance regional conservation by making these field-based learning experiences available at NO COST TO PARTICIPANTS.
These excursions highlight habitat protection and ecological restoration at the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge and Lake Plains Coastal Preserves, sustainable and regenerative agriculture at select sites across Lake County, and native seed banking
and propagation initiatives at Rollins Savanna and the Chicago Botanic Garden. All trips are on a bus; meeting locations have ample parking.
Learn more about Congress 2026, coming Friday, November 6 at the College of Lake County.
Field Trip registration opens Monday, August 3, on a first-come basis.
1. Lake County Agriculture Field Trip (all day) 40 participants
Join us for a full day experience learning about the innovative agricultural practices in Lake County Illinois.
2. Seeds Galore! Field Trip (all day) 40 participants
Join us for a full day experience learning seed banking and propagation efforts in the region.
3. Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge Field Trip (all day); 42 participants
Join us for a full day experience learning about the refuge established on November 6, 2012 with the donation of a 12-acre conservation easement. Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge will connect the dots of conserved land in southeast Wisconsin and northeast Illinois. The refuge will ultimately improve or restore more than 11,000 acres of drained wetland basins, historic prairie and forest habitats.
4. Lake Plains Coastal Preserves Field Trip (morning event) 20 participants
Led by Belynda Alberte, Lake Plain Coalition Coordinator/Natural Resource Specialist
5. Lake Plains Coastal Preserves Field Trip (afternoon event); 20 participants
Led by Belynda Alberte, Lake Plain Coalition Coordinator/Natural Resource Specialist
Post Field Trip Dinner (5-8pm)
Come to an informal post-field trip gathering at Bill's Pizza Pub, Third Lake, IL. We've reserved a room to socialize and eat. Bring a colleague and get to know your fellow Congress 2026 participants.
ADA Accessibility
Please contact Cherie Fisher, Alliance Program Manager, with accessibility questions. People with mobility issues are welcome to drive themselves directly to the field trip locations. Most trips will have headsets with adjustable volumes for those with hearing impairments.
Become a Sponsor to Support Regional Conservation
Your support ensures that conservation professionals can come together, share solutions, and grow forward—together—at a moment when leadership and collaboration matter more than ever.
Click on the sponsor level links below to join the list of supporters.
$25,000 Sponsor: Patron
Includes 12 complimentary Congress tickets, 4 field trip tickets, speaking opportunity, premiere tabling opportunity at Congress, plus special recognition at the 30th Anniversary Party
$10,000 Sponsor
Includes 10 complimentary Congress tickets, 2 field trip tickets, premiere tabling opportunity at Congress, plus special recognition at the 30th Anniversary Party
$5,000 Sponsor
Includes 8 complimentary Congress tickets, 1 field trip ticket, and tabling opportunity at Congress
$2,500 Sponsor
Includes 6 complimentary Congress tickets and tabling opportunity at Congress
$1,000 Sponsor
Includes 4 complimentary Congress tickets and tabling opportunity at Congress
$500 Sponsor
Includes 2 complimentary Congress tickets
$250 Sponsor
Includes 1 complimentary Congress ticket
$100 Donate a Congress Scholarship
Help those who cannot afford registration attend Congress 2026 free of charge
Thanks to Our Growing List of Congress 2026 Sponsors
Negaunee Foundation
Field Trip Sponsor
Questions about sponsorship? Contact Laura Reilly, Alliance Managing Director.
