Macon County Conservation District

Dulcimer Club
2026-06-20 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-07-18 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.

Homestead Prairie Farm Open House
2026-06-20 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-06-21 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-06-27 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-06-28 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-07-04 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-07-05 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-07-11 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-07-12 13:00 - 16:00 | Homestead Prairie Farm, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Discover this 1860s farmhouse and the lives of the people who lived there, located at Rock Springs Conservation Area.
>> Read more about Homestead Prairie Farm

Sunday Storytime
2026-06-21 14:00, 2026-06-28 14:00, 2026-07-05 14:00, 2026-07-12 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.

Father’s Day Hike
2026-06-21 14:00 - 15:30 | Rock Springs Conservation Area, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Event details
Celebrate Father’s Day at Rock Springs Conservation Area on a hike along the Big Oak Trail. Bring a water bottle and dress for the weather as we spend some time connecting with nature and each other.
Event requirements
Free. Register online by June 19.
Register Online for Father’s Day Hike

Saturday Stroll
2026-06-27 10:00, 2026-07-04 10:00, 2026-07-11 10:00, 2026-07-18 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.

Independence Day 1860
2026-06-27 18:00 - 20:00 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Enjoy an Independence Day celebration 1860s style! Tour Homestead Prairie Farm, see the heirloom vegetable and herb gardens, play with vintage toys and games, and at 6:30pm, enjoy a performance from the Rock Springs Dulcimer Club. Visitors are invited to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and snacks. In case of rain, the concert will be moved inside Rock Springs Nature Center. Free. No registration required.

Summer Concert Series: WisenHeart
2026-06-28 19:00 | Rock Springs Conservation Area, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Mark your calendars for another season of incredible music in the great outdoors!
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. Grab your lawn chairs, pack a picnic blanket, and join us every other Sunday for a relaxed evening of live entertainment.
WisenHeart will perform on June 28. This mother-daughter duo performs Americana songs, with a unique sound and tight harmonies.
The performance begins at 7pm and will be held near the pavilions at Rock Springs Conservation Area. Snacks will be available for purchase. All concerts are free, and in the event of rain, we will move indoors.

Summer Camp Art
2026-07-01 - 2026-08-30 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
North & South Gallery
Our Summer Camp is in full swing, and we’re bringing our adventures indoors through a display of caper artwork. Featuring 3D elements and nature-inspired designs, these pieces reflect the creativity of our campers.

Offices Closed, Nature Center Open for Independence Day (observed)
2026-07-03 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
The Macon County Conservation District Offices will be closed on Friday, July 3rd for Independence Day (observed). The Rock Springs Nature Center will remain open.

Offices and Nature Center Closed for Independence Day
2026-07-04 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Macon County Conservation District Offices and Nature Center will be closed for Independence Day.

Bethel School Open House
2026-07-11 13:00 - 16:00 | Friends Creek Conservation Area, 13734 Friends Creek Park Road, Argenta, IL, 62501, United States
See what going to school was like in the early 20th century at this historic one-room schoolhouse located at Friends Creek Conservation Area.
Bethel School is one of the best treasures in Macon County. Come and tour this one-room schoolhouse that served Macon County for over 50 years.
Step back in history and tour Bethel School at Friends Creek Conservation Area. Admission is free and all ages are invited to attend.
>> Read more about the Bethel School House

History of the Macon County Conservation District
2026-07-11 14:00 - 15:00 | Rock Springs Conservation Area, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Event details
There are only five county conservation districts in Illinois. Have you ever wondered why Macon County has one of the five? Learn the early history of the Macon County Conservation District from longtime employee Melody Arnold.
Event requirements
Free. No registration required.

Acoustic Music Jam
2026-07-12 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.

The Unlovables
2026-07-12 15:00 - 16:00 | Rock Springs Conservation Area, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Event details
From spiders to snakes to opossums, there are a lot of animals that are generally unloved by the general public. Discover some of our native ‘unlovables’ and learn what makes them both interesting and important. Guests will have the chance to meet a real snake up-close, then go outside to look for some misunderstood animals in the wild.
Event requirements
$3/person. Register online by July 10.
Register Online for The Unlovables

Summer Concert Series: Broken Brogue
2026-07-12 19:00 | Rock Springs Conservation Area, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Mark your calendars for another season of incredible music in the great outdoors!
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. Grab your lawn chairs, pack a picnic blanket, and join us every other Sunday for a relaxed evening of live entertainment.
Broken Brogue takes the stage on July 12. This four-piece Celtic folk band plays traditional Irish and Scottish music throughout the Midwest.
The performance begins at 7pm and will be held near the pavilions at Rock Springs Conservation Area. Snacks will be available for purchase. All concerts are free, and in the event of rain, we will move indoors.

Van Trip to the Shedd Aquarium
2026-07-15 09:00 - 20:00 | IL
Event details
Venture north to Chicago to explore the Shedd Aquarium. Touch a sturgeon, see a shark, watch a beluga play, and more. Meet at Rock Springs Nature Center.
Event requirements
$45/person. Admission and lunch are on your own and may be purchased on-site at the aquarium. Register online by noon July 13.
Register Online for Van Trip to Shedd Aquarium
