Conference Details & FAQ

What is the cost of the conference?

The three-day General admission ticket is $595.

We offer an Equitable Access ticket ($295), intended for young leaders, seniors and others for whom cost would be a barrier to attendance.

Children & Nature Network paid members receive a $100 discount on full-priced tickets. Email memberships@childrenandnature.org for the discount code.

Is there a group discount for registration?

Discounted tickets of $495 are available for groups of five or more attendees.

What is the cancellation and refund policy?

You may request a full refund of registration fees up to 48 hours after purchase.

We realize plans can change. Should you wish to cancel your registration after the 48-hour grace period, please send an email to conference@childrenandnature.org. Your registration fee will be refunded, less a $75 administrative fee. Regretfully, no refunds can be issued after April 26, 2024.

Are scholarships available?

Scholarship applications are now closed. Applicants will be notified by February 8, 2024. The reduced Early Bird registration rate will be offered for anyone who applies and is not awarded a scholarship.

Can I volunteer?

Volunteers play a vital role in the success of the conference. Volunteers receive complimentary registration and will be able to attend all of the general and breakout sessions. If you are interested in volunteering please email us at conference@childrenandnature.org.

Where is the conference?

The Children & Nature Network’s 2024 Nature Everywhere Conference will be held May 28-31 at Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Learn more about Madison, Wisconsin in our Conference Host City Spotlight article in Finding Nature News.

Land Acknowledgement

We recognize and honor the inherent sovereignty of the Ho-Chunk Nation and the 11 Indigenous First Nations of what is now referred to as the State of Wisconsin. The city of Madison occupies a place the Ho-Chunk nation has called Teejop (day-JOPE), or “Four Lakes” in the Hoocąk language, since time immemorial. Read more about the ancestral and contemporary Indigenous Peoples of the area in our Conference Host City Spotlight article.

What is the weather like in Madison?

Temperatures in Madison at the end of May can very, but typically range from 50°F to 74°F degrees. Plan to check the weather before you depart so that you pack the appropriate items.

Why is the conference being held in Madison?

Madison, Wisconsin, is a leader in connecting children and families to nature. A long time participant in the Cities Connecting Children to Nature initiative, Madison was also recently selected through a competitive application process to join a 2-year Nature Everywhere cohort to further advance efforts to increase equitable access to nature everywhere children live, learn and play. The City of Madison, Dane County and many cross-sector partners collaborate to enhance public spaces with nature, foster early childhood nature connection, and support youth leadership development.

Situated between two beautiful lakes, Madison is the state capital of Wisconsin and home of the Big-10 University of Wisconsin-Madison. The city has been honored with a Gold Level designation from the Walk-Friendly Communities Program and its parks system offers more playgrounds per capita than any park system in the U.S. The idea for Earth Day came from Madison, Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson in 1970; it is considered the birth of the modern environmental movement.

Are there discounted hotels?

We have secured two discounted hotel blocks; you can use the links below to access the rate at each hotel.

Book Now! Discounted room blocks close April 26. If you need a room after April 26, contact conference@childrenandnature.org  to check availability. 

Madison Concourse Hotel: 1 West Dayton Street. $179/night. The Madison Concourse Hotel offers a complimentary airport shuttle. You can book three nights only through the reservation link. If you wish to extend your stay, call hotel reservations at 608-257-6000 to check availability. Let them know you are with the Children & Nature Network.

Premier Best Western Park Hotel: 22 South Carroll Street. Rates start at $209-219/night. The Best Western offers a complimentary airport shuttle.

What is the program schedule for the conference?

The conference starts on Tuesday with a late afternoon reception and ends Friday at noon. The conference schedule can be found here. We are continuing to update and add to it. Stay tuned for additional breakout sessions, general session speaker announcements and more. You will be able to select the sessions you wish to attend starting March 1.

Can I bring my family?

Conference workshops and sessions are geared toward adult attendees and no onsite childcare is provided. We will provide an onsite private, secure space for infant care needs. For the purpose of seeking private childcare or if you are bringing your own childcare, the general conference schedule is as follows:

Tuesday: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. (reception only; no speakers or breakout sessions)
Wednesday and Thursday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a 90-minute lunch break
Friday: 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Friday

Is there a charge for children attending the conference?

While conference workshops and sessions are geared toward adult attendees, you know your child(ren) best! If they are interested and able to participate in sessions with you, we ask that you register them using an Equitable Access ticket. Questions? Contact us at conference@childrenandnature.org

What meals are included?

Tuesday Reception: Appetizers, beverages and cash bar
Wednesday and Thursday: Coffee/tea service before the General Session; box lunch; afternoon snack break Friday: Coffee/tea service before the General Session; snack break after the General Session.

Can my allergies and/or dietary restrictions be accommodated?

Please indicate dietary restrictions and/or allergies when registering. Every effort will be made to honor these requests, however attendees should be aware that all food is prepared in a commercial kitchen that handles peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, eggs, dairy, soy and wheat. Non-exposure to these potential allergens cannot be guaranteed.

Getting to Madison

Check out Destination Madison’s website for everything you need to know about getting to and around Madison.

Parking at Monona Terrace

The Monona Terrace parking garage is open to the public seven days a week. Find details here.

How can I find out who else is coming to the conference?

You’ll have plenty of networking opportunities through Whova, the conference app. After you have registered for the conference, log in after March 1st to fill out your profile to begin connecting with others in the children and nature movement.

Does the conference have a hashtag?

Yes! Please share about the conference using this hashtag: #natureeverywhere

Can I chat with other attendees and set up meetings during the conference with Whova?

Yes! Starting March 1st you will be able to use message boards and schedule Meetups to connect with other conference participants who share your areas of interest.

Will there be Wi-Fi and cell service?

Yes! Monona Terrace has free Wi-Fi access and cell service is available.

Will the conference be livestreamed?

The conference will not be livestreamed. If you are unable to join us in person, recordings of the General Sessions will be made available in the months following the conference.

What happened to the Inside-Out International Conference?

Formerly known as the Inside-Out International Conference, the Nature Everywhere Conference brings together cross-sector leaders from around the world to advance programs, practices and policies for advancing equitable access to nature everywhere children live, learn and play.

Breakout sessions at the conference

Applications to present at the 2024 Children & Nature Network Conference closed on November 8, 2023. Applications for the 2025 conference will open in fall 2024. As part of the selection process, we give intentional preference to presenters who are part of groups or communities that have been historically excluded or underrepresented in the fields of nature connection, nature-based learning, outdoor recreation, conservation, and related fields. The selection process is comprised composed of Children & Nature Network staff and outside partners.

Poster Session

The Poster Session highlights some of the amazing work happening in the children and nature movement. Share your expertise, ideas and innovative projects and programs. Apply here to present a poster! Read more about presenting here.

Coming Soon! Check back here for bios of our 2024 General Session and Breakout Session presenters.

Will the Richard Louv Prize be awarded at the conference as in past years?

The 2024 Richard Louv Prize for Innovation in Nature Connection will be awarded during the Nature Everywhere Conference in Madison. Nominations will open in March 2024. Learn more about the prize here.

What is the Pre-Conference Green Schoolyards Tour?

Join us before the conference on Tuesday, May 28 for a Green Schoolyards tour in Milwaukee, Wisconsin before heading to Madison for the Nature Everywhere Conference.  

This pre-conference tour requires a ticket that must be purchased separately. It is not included with Nature Everywhere Conference registration. Space is limited. 

Read more about the Pre-Conference Green Schoolyards Tour here.

What is Nature Everywhere Day?

Nature Everywhere Day will bring the energy and enthusiasm for nature connection from inside the conference out into the Madison community for a day of celebration and family fun. Enjoy some of your favorites outdoor activities or try something new, all across the Madison area. Find a full list of free and low cost nature-based activities on our Nature Everywhere Day web page!