News & Media
There’s always something happening at the Macon County Conservation District! Staff and volunteers work all year round to provide you with educational programs, restore natural areas, and preserve historic sites. To know what’s going on:
Prairie Islander
Subscribe to the Prairie Islander, our free, quarterly newsletter. You may also read the current issue online or subscribe to our mailing list to have the Prairie Islander emailed to you each quarter. Scroll to the bottom of any page on our website to sign up!
Media Inquiries
For media inquiries about stories or photo requests, call 217-423-7708. If you wish to receive our news releases and photo opportunities via email, send a message to mccd@maconccd.org or call 217-423-7708.
Social Media
Receive trail condition updates, see the work we’re doing, and share pictures of your visits to the conservation areas by following us on Facebook.
Exploring Nature with Your Senses
Sometimes the best way to connect with nature isn’t through facts and field guides—it’s by slowing down and tuning in. Whether you’re walking a wooded trail, sitting beside a prairie, or pausing near a wetland, nature has a way of speaking to all five senses.
Living on the Edge: Part 2
Part 2—Learn about the importance of the boundary zones where two distinct habitats meet in this three part article series.
9th Annual Summer Concert Series
This outdoor concert series sponsored by Stifel Investment Services is held every other Sunday in the summer, and features a variety of bands and performers that play Americana, bluegrass, folk, old-time, and more. Bring a lawn chair or a picnic blanket and sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.
Living on the Edge: Part 1
In the world of ecology, the "edge" refers to the boundary zone where two distinct habitats meet. These transition areas, known as ecotones, are crucial to the health and functionality of ecosystems.
A Spring Awakening
By Alysia Callison As the days get longer and the air warms, the natural world begins to buzz with signs of spring. One seasonal staple is the appearance of baby animals – new to the world, they often cause concern for well-meaning folks who find them in their yards, along roadsides, or in green spaces. So, what should you do if you find a baby animal? Leave it alone! Unless the animal is clearly injured or showing signs of distress, don’t touch it. Oftentimes, the parents know where the baby is and will return to check on it. Relocating the...
Shake Off Winter with a Dose of Nature
By Ashton Dukeman Celebrate the end of cabin fever because spring is here! Color and sunshine will finally be coming back into our lives as plants start to bud and bloom and the sun banishes those winter-gray skies. What better way to shake off the winter blues than by getting outdoors in less than four layers of thermal gear. During the winter months, when many of us are confined to our homes, screens become a go-to source of entertainment to pass the time. This habit can be hard to break once the weather starts to warm, often leading to less...
We're out here for the Fall Harvest Festival until 4pm today! Come out and join us for some fall activities and fun!
LOST PETS POST. Our staff found these two beautiful babies in the prairie here at Rock Springs Conservation Area this morning. They are very sweet and are hanging out with us in the Nature Center. We will need to see proof of ownership before turning them over. You can call us at 217-423-7708
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Important Update for Fall Trout Season
The IDNR has postponed fall trout stocking due to unusually high water temperatures, which can be harmful to rainbow trout. Trout will be stocked once water temperatures drop to safe levels.
What this means for anglers:
🎣The season still opens October 18, but the new stockings won’t be in the water yet.
🎣You may be able to catch trout remaining from previous stockings, though that’s less likely.
🎣Check ifishillinois.org or the IDNR Facebook page for updates.
We’ll also post on our page when our pond has been stocked.
Thanks for your patience, and happy fishing once the trout arrive! 🎣
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☔ Even on a rainy day, Hidden Hollow is stunning! The new indoor-outdoor space shines in every kind of weather. 🌦️
Thinking about hosting your next event here? Head to our Room Rentals page to check pricing and fill out the new Rental Request & Agreement form. Bookings are filling up fast—secure your date and see why Hidden Hollow is quickly becoming a community favorite! You can check it out here: www.maconccd.org/rentals/rooms/
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🍂It's Fall Harvest Festival week! Our annual fan favorite will be held this Saturday, October 11 from 1-4pm at the Rock Springs Conservation Area. Celebrate fall with family and friends with fall-themed activities including, archery, canoeing, pumpkin painting, wagon rides, tours of the historic Homestead Prairie Farm, and more!
🏹Archery and canoeing are $3 per person, and pumpkin painting is $5 per pumpkin. The Macon County Conservation Foundation will have hot dogs, chips, and drinks for sale on the new Hidden Hollow patio for concessions while supplies lasts.
Come out and join us for a day of fun, we hope to see you there!
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