Macon County Conservation District

Brock Rowland Photography Exhibit
2026-01-02 - 2026-02-28 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
South Gallery
View photographs of plants and animals that our Program Specialist and gallery coordinator Brock Rowland has spotted on his outdoor adventures.

Dulcimer Club
2026-02-14 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-28 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-14 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Event details
Dulcimer Club Meetings at Rock Springs Nature Center offer a perfect opportunity to rediscover musical interests and talents. Bring your instrument, learn a new tune or simply enjoy the musical talents of our volunteers.
Event requirements
None
Free
This is an inclusive program, welcoming individuals of all abilities. Rock Springs Nature Center is an accessible facility.

Succulents and Sweethearts: Terrarium Workshop
2026-02-14 14:00 - 15:00 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Event details
Bring a friend or loved one to design a small, valentine-themed terrarium at Rock Springs! Supplies and cookies will be provided.
Event requirements
$15/person. Register by February 12.
Register Online for this Event

Nature Center Open, Offices Closed for Presidents’ Day
2026-02-16 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Rock Springs Nature Center will be open Monday, February 16. Conservation District business offices will be closed for Presidents’ Day.

Wilderness Walk
2026-02-19 16:00 - 17:00 | Sand Creek Conservation Area, Sand Creek Open Space Reservation, Decatur, IL, United States
Event details
Join a naturalist on a leisurely walk along a District trail to explore and learn a little something along the way.
Event requirements
Free. Register online by noon the day prior.
Register Online for this Event

Decatur’s First Photographers
2026-02-21 14:00 - 15:00 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Event details
Several professional photographers briefly stopped in or called Decatur their home in the years before and during the Civil War. Learn about their history as we discover our first local photographers, find evidence of their time in Decatur, and view some of their surviving work.
Event requirements
Free. No registration required.

60th Anniversary Pancake Breakfast
2026-02-28 08:00 - 11:00 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Event details
Kick off our 60th anniversary celebration with a bit of nostalgia! Staff will be serving up all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, orange juice, milk, and coffee. Before or after breakfast, enjoy an educational maple syrup program and tasting. Breakfast served between 8 and 11am. Maple syrup programs held at 8:30, 9:30, and 10:30am.
Event requirements
Tickets are available day-of, but advance purchase is strongly encouraged to ensure availability.
$10/person.
Buy Your Tickets Today

Sunday Storytime
2026-03-01 14:00, 2026-03-08 14:00, 2026-03-15 14:00, 2026-03-22 14:00 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Event details
Stop by the Children’s Room at Rock Springs Nature Center for stories, songs, and fun! We will read some nature stories, move our bodies, and spark some curiosity about the world around us.
Event requirements
Free. No registration required.

Brilliant Bison Mini Camp
2026-03-03 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-03-05 09:30 - 10:30 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Children ages 1 through 5 will explore nature with an adult companion through crafts, activities, songs, and stories.
In this hour long camp, children will learn to analyze their surroundings and begin their love of exploration of the outside world through crafts, activities, songs, stories and hikes. These camps are a great stepping stone for little ones to spend time with other children and have the comfort of a loved one nearby.
In Brilliant Bison, children will learn about the incredible prairie giant that used to call Illinois home.
$8/child. Online registration required.
Dress for short outdoor excursions. A snack and bottle of water will be available for each child. Register online by noon the day before camp. Location for these programs will be downstairs in the Monarch Classroom in the new area in the lower level.
Register Online for Brilliant Bison

Worm Moon
2026-03-03 19:00 - 20:00 | Rock Springs Conservation Area, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Event details
Join a naturalist to learn about the ‘worm’ moon, do a craft, and listen to a story. Then, go outside to view the full moon through our telescope.
Event requirements
$3/person. Register online by March 2.
Register Online for this Event

Saturday Stroll
2026-03-07 10:00, 2026-03-14 10:00, 2026-03-21 10:00, 2026-03-28 10:00 | Rock Springs Conservation Area, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Event details
Visit Rock Springs Nature Center to join a naturalist on a stroll along a trail. Come once or come every Saturday – nature is sure to show us something new each week!
Event requirements
Dress for the weather. Free. No registration required.

Acoustic Music Jam
2026-03-08 14:00 - 16:00 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Event details
Enjoy live bluegrass tunes at the monthly Acoustic Music Jam. Bring your instrument, learn a new tune, or simply enjoy the talents of these volunteer musicians.
Event requirements
None
Free
This is an inclusive program, welcoming individuals of all abilities. Rock Springs Nature Center is an accessible facility.

Women’s Hike
2026-03-08 14:00 - 16:00 | Rock Springs Conservation Area, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Event details
Celebrate International Women’s Day at Rock Springs Conservation Area on a hike on the Big Oak Trail. Bring a water bottle and dress for the weather as we spend some time connecting with other nature-minded women.
Event requirements
Free. Register online by March 6.
Register Online for this Event

Homeschool Program: Weird Mammals
2026-03-11 10:00 - 12:00 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Event details
Homeschool children ages 5-15 can join a naturalist and explore nature and history topics through discussion, hands-on activities, crafts, and games. Homeschool students will spend time indoors and outdoors, investigating concepts and engaging with nature.
In Weird Mammals, learn about some of the unusual mammals found in our community and beyond, and discover why they are the way they are.
Event requirements
Register online by March 9.
$15/child.
Register Online for Weird Mammals

Wilderness Walk
2026-03-12 16:00 - 17:00 | Friends Creek Conservation Area, 13734 Friends Creek Park Road, Argenta, IL, 62501, United States
Event details
Join a naturalist on a leisurely walk along a District trail to explore and learn a little something along the way. Hike will take place at Friends Creek Conservation Area.
Event requirements
Free. Register online by noon the day prior.
Register Online for this Event

Mr. Shoaff: Lincoln’s Relative and Decatur’s Most Colorful Newspaper Man
2026-03-14 14:00 - 15:00 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
One of the best-known newspaper editors in Civil War era Illinois spent most of his career in Decatur, but today is largely unknown. Related by marriage to Abraham Lincoln, this colorful and controversial character both made the news and reported on it. Historian and author Dr. Robert Sampson explores how and why James Shoaff and his newspapers always brought readers back for more. Co-sponsored by the Friends of Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park.
Free. No registration required.

Magical Seeds Mini Camp
2026-03-17 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-03-19 09:30 - 10:30 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Children ages 1 through 5 will explore nature with an adult companion through crafts, activities, songs, and stories.
In this hour long camp, children will learn to analyze their surroundings and begin their love of exploration of the outside world through crafts, activities, songs, stories and hikes. These camps are a great stepping stone for little ones to spend time with other children and have the comfort of a loved one nearby.
In Magical Seeds, children will discover what kind of magic a seed holds, then get their hands dirty and plant one themselves.
$8/child. Online registration required.
Dress for short outdoor excursions. A snack and bottle of water will be available for each child. Register online by noon the day before camp. Location for these programs will be downstairs in the Monarch Classroom in the new area in the lower level.
Register Online for Magical Seeds

60th Anniversary Trivia Night
2026-03-21 18:00 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Event details
Gather your friends and join Nature Center staff for a fun night of trivia! There will be six rounds of 10 questions, in categories including local flora and fauna, local history, and more. The winning team will get a trophy and a prize! Tables of 8 are available for $80 each. Light snacks will be available, and you are welcome to bring your own food. All proceeds support educational programming at the Macon County Conservation District.
Event requirements
Register online by March 18.
Register Online for this Event

Macon County Conservation District Board Meeting
2026-03-25 17:30 - 18:30 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
All meetings will be held the third Wednesday of the month at the Rock Springs Nature Center at 5:30 p.m. unless otherwise specified or notified.

Van Trip to Alton, IL
2026-03-26 08:00 - 18:00 | IL
Hop in our van and head south to visit two unique spots in the Alton area. First, we will visit the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site to learn about the expedition’s time spent at Camp River Dubois. Then, we will venture to the National Great Rivers Museum to explore the impact the Mississippi River has had on our history and tour the lock and dam. We will stop for lunch along the way (lunch is not included).
$45/person. Register online by March 24.
Register Online for this Event
