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.
Explore the Universe with the Macon County Conservation District’s New StarLab Planetarium Experience
We here at the Macon County Conservation District are thrilled to announce the new presentation structure for our brand-new StarLab Planetarium – a fully digital, portable dome that brings the wonders of space and astronomy up close directly to your school or organization. It’s thanks to the generous support from the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation and additional funding from the Macon County Conservation Foundation that we are able to deliver immersive, unforgettable learning experiences to our community and beyond. A Portable Planetarium That Brings The Wonders of Space to YOU The StarLab Planetarium accommodates 30-40 participants and can...
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.
🚀 Big News! Our brand-new StarLab Planetarium program is ready to blast off into classrooms and community spaces across Macon County!
This fully digital, portable planetarium brings the wonders of the night sky straight to your group—planets, stars, constellations, and more. 🌟
We’ve put together all the details (including setup requirements and how to book) in a new article on our website.
Check out the article by clicking the link below 👇🏼
We can’t wait to help your group explore the night sky—one constellation at a time.🌌
We've been posting about this topic a lot, but we can't help but be excited with how successful our brand new Youth Deer Hunt program is going! Next up for a round of applause is Cora G. with her first deer from her first sit ever!
Staff are thrilled with how well this new addition to our Deer Herd Management Program is doing and we are hoping the remainder of the season proves just as successful for the rest of our youngsters.
Just now hearing about this program? You can learn all about it, why have a deer herd management program, and why it's an important tool in conservation and land management on our website: www.maconccd.org/conservation/deer-herd-management/
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*EDITED FOR CORRECTION*
We had a wonderful surprise this week! The team from Farm and Fleet stopped by Rock Springs Nature Center and donated six brand-new fishing poles for our community to enjoy.
We’re incredibly grateful for local businesses that value time outdoors and support opportunities for people to connect with nature. One of our amazing volunteers is already getting the rods set up with line, hooks, and bobbers so they can be added to our lending rotation soon.
Join us in giving a big THANK YOU to our local Farm and Fleet for helping more families cast a line and make lasting memories in the great outdoors! 🎣🌳
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We’re re-sharing this message to help keep everyone safe during deer hunting season. Please remember to stay on designated trails only when visiting our Conservation Areas—especially while our Deer Herd Management Program is underway.
We’ve received several reports of hikers leaving marked trails and walking into active hunting zones, including directly beneath hunters in their stands. This is extremely dangerous for both visitors and hunters.
If you’re unsure where the official trails or designated hunting areas are located, all maps are available on our website. As a helpful reminder:
🦌Designated trails are always marked with trail signs.
🦌Paths that look like trails—such as deer paths or mowed fire breaks—are not intended for hiking.
Thank you for helping us keep our natural areas safe and enjoyable for everyone.
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We found an issue with our voicemail system that caused some messages to not come through. It has been resolved! If you left a voicemail recently and did not receive a response, please contact us again. We appreciate your understanding!
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