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...
🦌🏹We would like to congratulate our very first participant in our new Youth Hunting Program, Jacob K. on his buck from our new youth blind!
This pilot program offers local youth a meaningful way to take part in conservation through deer herd management. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of why controlling deer populations is vital for maintaining healthy ecosystems. Too many deer in one area can lead to habitat degradation and negatively impact other wildlife. Through this opportunity, young hunters will begin to develop a sense of stewardship by learning responsible, ethical hunting practices and how they contribute to broader conservation efforts. It’s a hands-on way to connect with nature, support healthy habitats, and learn how thoughtful management can protect the natural spaces we all enjoy.
Congrats Jacob, and we hope the rest of our youth participants are able to have such great luck as well!
‼️𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄‼️
The project has been postponed and Nearing Lane will remain open!
🚧𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 f𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐚🚧
Nearing Lane will be closed from today, November 5, through Friday evening or Saturday morning, November 7 or 8. During this time, the bus loop and front parking areas of the Nature Center will not be accessible, but the main parking lot can still be accessed by using the service lane off of Brozio Lane. We thank you for your patience and understanding!
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The weather today was perfect for a little lunchtime walk out to the Homestead Prairie Farm! Have you had a chance to take a tour through the house this year? This Saturday, November 8 will be your last chance to do so, but at night! The house and property are an impressive sight during our Candlelight Tour when we have lanterns lining the trail and walkways, and the house and wood shop all lit up with candles.
This free, family-friendly event runs from 6:30-8:30pm, so make sure you stop by! We hope to see you there!
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Check out the programs and events this week at the Macon County Conservation District! If you have been wanting to come out to the Homestead Prairie Farm for a tour but have been busy, this Saturday, November 8th will be your last chance for the year! Our Candlelight Tour is the last time the house will be open for tours before we winterize it and close it up until spring. You can find our full list of programs and events on our website at www.maconccd.org/
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Big things continue to happen at the Macon County Conservation District! Now that the Hidden Hollow indoor-outdoor classroom project is done, we can turn our attention to the Fort Daniel Conservation Area and Woodbine Farm projects. The wetland restoration project behind the farm is still underway and going smoothly!
📣As an important reminder📣
Even though the new parking lot may look tempting, this space is still closed to the public and is not yet ready to have visitors. We definitely understand the excitement (we definitely are about the progress!) but we do gently remind the public that the space is not accessible as of now. We will keep posting updates and are excited to have everyone along for the journey of our next big project! The support of our community is so important for these endeavors and we are grateful to have it!
Thank you for your understanding and we can't wait to report back with more updates as the project progresses! 🌳
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