Managing the Madness of Parks & Natural Resources
Friday, March 20, 2026 (8:00 AM - 2:30 PM) (CDT)
Description
Join professionals from across Illinois for a day of practical learning, peer connection, and real-world strategies at Managing the Madness of Parks & Natural Resources, a one-day educational event hosted by IPRA’s Parks & Natural Resource Management (PNRM) Section. Designed for those who keep our parks safe, sustainable, and thriving, this high-energy program delivers actionable insights you can immediately apply in your agency.
The day kicks off with an informative session about inspection and documentation best practices, setting the stage for a day of thought-provoking education that includes capital planning and cross-department collaboration, AI-supported tools, park district budgeting and revenue forecasting, fiscally sustainable strategies, public contracting fundamentals, and project management essentials. Wrapping up the day will be a dynamic panel of leaders that will explore professional growth, leadership development, and strategies for expanding your impact beyond day-to-day operations.
Throughout the day, you’ll connect with fellow professionals who understand the challenges and opportunities of parks maintenance, capital planning, finance, and project management. Exchange ideas, strengthen your network, and walk away with practical frameworks to improve systems, reduce risk, and advance your career. Don’t miss this opportunity to sharpen your skills, strengthen your agency, and invest in the future of parks and natural resource management in Illinois.
Registration deadline is Wednesday, March 18, 12:00 p.m. CST.
Location
Buffalo Grove Park District's Community Arts Center, located at 225 McHenry Road in Buffalo Grove.
Who Should Attend
This event is ideal for parks and natural resource operations professionals—including maintenance supervisors, superintendents, project managers, and emerging leaders—who want to strengthen their systems, expand their financial and contracting knowledge, and grow their leadership impact.
Food & Beverage
Registration includes morning coffee and a lunch. Dietary restrictions can be denoted on event registration.
CEUs
Program is approved for 0.4 CEUs and will be awarded to those in attendance for the full day.
| Schedule | Session | Time |
| Check-In | Coffee, Networking & Announcements | 7:45 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. |
| General Session | Inspecting Like a Champion | 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. |
| Breakout #1A | Capital Planning & All-Star Collaboration | 9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. |
| Breakout #1B | Full Court Finance: Budgeting Basics | 9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. |
| General Session | Mastering the Playbook for Agreements | 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. |
| Lunch | 12:15 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | |
| General Session | Navigating Your Path to the Championship | 1:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. |
| Closing Remarks | Happenings in the PNRM Section | 2:15 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. |
Interested in Sponsoring?
There are 3 levels of sponsorship opportunities available for interested organizations. Click 'Sponsor Registration' at the top of the page or click here to access IPRA's full sponsorship prospectus.
$50 IPRA Member
$75 Non-Member
FREE for Student Members
Community Arts Center 225 McHenry Road
Buffalo Grove, 60089
Parks & Natural Resource Management Section
IPRA Education
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