As of 2023[update] the conference has been hosted by Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves.

[1] Every two years, the Wild Things conference assembles a massive meeting of nature-lovers from all walks of life.

They have been convened under a series of names that changed in 2005[4] to "Wild Things: a Chicago Wilderness conference for People and Nature".

The event includes workshops, seminars, and presentations on topics such as: nature conservation, ecological restoration and land management, flora and fauna, ecological monitoring, climate change, advocacy and communication, arts and culture, history, education, and volunteer engagement and community-building.

[5] Art exhibitions, poster sessions, book sales, and a variety of exhibitors are also part of the conference.