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...
🚴♀️ Ready to ride for a cause? Whether you’ve pedaled with us before or you’re looking for your next cycling adventure, the 2025 Prairie Pedal is calling your name! The comments from past riders speak for themselves. It's a fun day to get out and enjoy the peaceful rural country roads of Macon County!
🌿 Since 2008, riders like you have helped the Macon County Conservation Foundation protect natural areas and fund environmental education—making Prairie Pedal our longest-running fundraiser.
📅 Mark your calendar: Sunday, September 28. After the ride, stick around for a hearty chili lunch (vegetarian option included!) and live music on the brand-new Indoor-Outdoor Classroom patio.
👉 Don’t wait—register today or make a donation to support conservation in Macon County: www.maconcountyconservationfoundation.org/events/prairie-pedal/
Let’s keep pedaling for prairies, biking for birds, and cycling for conservation together! 🌟
✨ Big milestone today! Our brand-new Indoor-Outdoor Classroom just hosted its first official program—our Life Underground homeschool program. This space was designed with learning in mind, and it’s already buzzing with discovery.
🌿 Want to see the classroom for yourself? Don’t miss your chance to explore it firsthand at the Indoor-Outdoor Classroom Grand Opening this Friday, September 12, from 5:00–7:30 pm.
Come step inside, step outside, and imagine the future of education in nature. We can’t wait to show you around!
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Here's our creature find of the day, a monarch caterpillar and a swallowtail caterpillar! 🐛 They were munching and resting away in our native garden in front of the Nature Center.
What wildlife have you found here recently?
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🚵🏼♂️The 2025 Prairie Pedal is only 19 days away! Can you believe summer has already come and gone? Let's kick off fall by Riding for Restoration! (Comment below if you recognize that old slogan!)
📋Avoid the registration line the morning of the ride and register today! Participants will be some of the first to use the new Indoor-Outdoor Classroom space as we will be moving the post-ride chili lunch from the pavilion by the pond, to the new patio and interior space!
🌐Complete your registration today by heading to www.maconcountyconservationfoundation.org/events/prairie-pedal/ where you will find more information about the Macon County Conservation Foundation's longest running fundraising event, route maps, and the registration options.
Join us in supporting natural areas and wildlife by pedaling for prairies, biking for birds, cycling for conservation...you can see where we're going with this. 🌿
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We're getting things ready behind-the-scenes for the Indoor-Outdoor Classroom Grand Opening by getting the new carpets and floors cleaned! Join us to celebrate the official opening of this new space for future learners and the community.
Staff had our quarterly all staff meeting in the space on Friday, and we can safely say that the grill, fireplace, and fire pit all work great and are wonderful to sit around, chat and catch up, and enjoy the start of gorgeous fall weather.🍂
📅 This Friday, September 12 from 5:00-7:30pm
📍 Rock Springs Nature Center
💲 FREE – no registration required!
We hope to see you there!
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