Check out last year’s Program!

PARTICIPATE

There are a number of ways you can participate in NILC 2026.

1. Present at NILC: Lookouts and the Wilderness

We invite submissions for presentations that discuss the complex relationship between Wilderness and fire lookouts.

  • The Core Paradox: Fire lookouts are inseparable from the concept of the wild. However, Wilderness is officially defined as a place where “man is but a visitor who does not remain.” This creates a fascinating paradox, as Wilderness lookouts do remain, and lookouts outside of Wilderness gaze permanently upon Wilderness landscapes, providing an experience often seen as “wild.”
  • Broadening the Scope of Wilderness: We welcome presentations defining Wilderness in broad terms:
    • Official, federally designated “Capital W” Wilderness.
    • A landscape with a general wild character.
    • Wildness within urban landscapes, the human mind, or other non-traditional spaces.
  • Related Structures: We are also interested in the fire lookout’s relationship to other wilderness structures, such as Ranger Stations or private inholdings.

Submission Guidelines

We encourage papers and presentations from both academic and non-academic fields. In addition to traditional disciplines, we recognize and welcome passion projects, which are the heartbeat of the fire lookout community. This includes projects focused on:

  • Preservation through photo or video collections.
  • Public media projects (such as podcasts).
  • Restoration and preservation work of all kinds.

Instructions for Submission:

Write a proposal of no more than 500 words covering the following three points:

  1. An Overview: A clear summary of your proposed presentation or project.
  2. Relevance to the Theme: Explain how your proposal relates to the conference topic, “Lookouts and the Wilderness.”
  3. Presentation Length: Indicate how long you intend to present. We are open to accommodating:
    • Longer sessions (45 minutes, with 10 minutes for questions).
    • Shorter presentations (10–15 minutes, typically in a panel format).

The conference offers a limited number of remote presentations (Zoom). Those interested in participating in this mode can contact the conference organizers through the following form: Contact form

Submit your abstract

2. Attend the Conference

Join us for the full conference experience on Saturday, April 19th, where you can engage with the latest research and network with fellow enthusiasts.

Full Conference Access Includes:

  • All Presentations: Access to paper presentations and panel discussions.
  • Keynote Speaker: Attendance at the featured keynote address.
  • Networking Event: Participation in the Saturday evening social at a local art gallery, a perfect opportunity to meet others working in the fire lookout community.
  • Meals: A light lunch and dinner are included.

Registration Details

Item Cost Details
Full Attendee Registration $75 Includes all conference events, lunch, and dinner.
Optional NILC T-shirt $30 Must register by February 20th to guarantee a shirt.

Important Dates:

  • Lunch/Badge Guarantee: Please register by March 10th to ensure we can provide you with lunch and dinner and a name badge.
  • University of Idaho Community: All students, employees, and faculty of the University of Idaho may attend the conference at no cost.

Register as an attendee The conference offers a limited number of remote presentations (Zoom). Those interested in participating in this mode can contact the conference organizers through the following form: Contact form