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.
Weathering the Cold, Part One: Brumation
Illinois is home to over 54,000 different species of wildlife, and the majority are species of insects. Often, the time of year dictates when we can see some of our more familiar species. As fall and winter begin to make their way into Illinois, the animals we see moving around begin to change.
Living on the Edge: Part 3
Part 3—Learn about the importance of the boundary zones where two distinct habitats meet in this three part article series.
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.
Check out our programs and events for this week! You can find the full list with details and registration at www.maconccd.org/
We are so grateful for the grant from Heart of Illinois Community Foundation and Decatur Earthmover Credit Union that made this new opportunity possible!
We're excited to be one of the few places that has a StarLab Planetarium that we can travel with and introduce so many people to the wonders of our universe! 🌌
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🍁🗺️According to the fall foliage maps for Illinois, Decatur is JUST leaving the peak color time! Why not take advantage of the warmer weather before the weekend cool front moves in, and take a walk outdoors to see the remaining fall colors before we start moving closer to winter!
Check out this article from our fall Prairie Islander newsletter on how you can turn any walk into a sensory walk and unwind from a long week!🍂🍁
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🦉We're thrilled to be the host site for the Decatur Audubon's guest speaker presentation by award-winning naturalist from St. Louis, Mark H.X. Glenshaw: How to Find Owls in Your Neighborhood. Mark's talk will show which owls you're most likely to hear or see, where to look for them, how to look for them in a safe and ethical manner, what to listen for, and the importance of research and collaboration.
If you ever found yourself fascinated by these nocturnal birds of prey and have wanted to learn more about them, this is the program for you! 🦉
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We stepped away from our desks for a bit and caught this little friend resting on the railing, basking in the sun and using their tail to block the wind. 🐿️
What wildlife have you spotted today? If you haven't had a chance to get out and enjoy the gorgeous fall colors, today would be a great day to! 🍁🍂
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