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.
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.
Project Updates: Learn What’s Going on at the Macon County Conservation District
By Ashton Dukeman As we reach the halfway point of the Macon County Conservation District's 60th anniversary year, we wanted to share updates on a couple of projects previously reported in the Winter 2024 edition of the Prairie Islander. With the Indoor-Outdoor Classroom now completed, our focus turns to other large ongoing projects: Fort Daniel Conservation Area, Woodbine Farm, and the Scovill Bike Trail Connection. The Scovill Bike Trail Connection aims to enhance trail connectivity for cyclists and pedestrians by bridging the gap between the Rock Springs-Fairview Park BikeTrail and the Decatur Park District's upgraded trail system at Scovill...
60 Years of Conservation, Community, and Connection
All good stories start with an idea, and the story of the Macon County Conservation District is no different. The story of MCCD is one of commitment, drive, and belief. So, where did the idea come from? To find that answer, we must go all the way back to 1935 – 31 years before the District was formed.
Creature Feature – Northern Bobwhite
The Northern Bobwhite Taylor Buley As of July 2024, there are a total of 459 species of birds living in Illinois. One of these species is the Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), also known as the Virginia quail or bobwhite quail. They share the order Galliformes with three other bird species in Illinois: wild turkey, greater prairie-chicken, and the ring-checked pheasant. Galliformes is the order containing grouse, quail, and turkey families. The Northern Bobwhite is unique because they are the only quail species native to the Eastern United States. They are in the family Odontophoridae or New World Quail, in comparison...
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.
Quick PSA for tomorrow, Friday, August 21📢
The Rock Springs Nature Center will be closed tomorrow until 2pm for staff training and development. We thank you for your understanding!
Don't forget that tomorrow at noon is when the registration for the Creek Walk and the Beginner's Foraging Workshop: Wildflowers will close! We only have the following amount of spots available:
🌊Creek Walk: REGISTRATION FILLED
🌻Beginner's Foraging Workshop: 5 spots remaining
You can find the link to our events page in the comments below. Don't miss out on your chance to snag a spot before they fill up!The first week or two of school is officially in the books—which means everyone might be ready for a little break from schedules, classrooms, and early mornings.
Come get your hands (and feet!) dirty at our Creek Walk at Fort Daniel Conservation Area this weekend!
Slip on those water shoes and join us as we explore the creek, search for cool discoveries, and enjoy a little taste of summer while it lasts. Whether the water is high or low, there’s always something new to find!
Whether you’re bringing the kiddos, looking for a fun family adventure, or just want a break from the office to get outside and explore the creek yourself, there’s room for everyone!
💧 $5/person
👟 Close-toed shoes required
📅 Register online by August 21
🎟️ Only 16 spots left *𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄: 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 1 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭!*
Give those back-to-school brains a chance to unwind—or give yourself a break from the daily grind! Come splash, explore, get a little dirty, and enjoy some time outside while summer is still here.
This program is open to everyone! Kids, parents, grandparents, and anyone else who’s ready to get out, get their feet wet, and explore are welcome!
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We have just seven spots left in part one of our three part foraging workshop series: wildflowers. You can register at:
🔗https://www.maconccd.org/events/beginners-foraging-workshop-wildflowers/
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The first week or two of school is officially in the books—which means everyone might be ready for a little break from schedules, classrooms, and early mornings.
Come get your hands (and feet!) dirty at our Creek Walk at Fort Daniel Conservation Area this weekend!
Slip on those water shoes and join us as we explore the creek, search for cool discoveries, and enjoy a little taste of summer while it lasts. Whether the water is high or low, there’s always something new to find!
Whether you’re bringing the kiddos, looking for a fun family adventure, or just want a break from the office to get outside and explore the creek yourself, there’s room for everyone!
💧 $5/person
👟 Close-toed shoes required
📅 Register online by August 21
🎟️ Only 16 spots left *𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄: 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 1 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭!*
Give those back-to-school brains a chance to unwind—or give yourself a break from the daily grind! Come splash, explore, get a little dirty, and enjoy some time outside while summer is still here.
This program is open to everyone! Kids, parents, grandparents, and anyone else who’s ready to get out, get their feet wet, and explore are welcome!
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ANNOUNCEMENT
The Bike Trail at Rock Springs Conservation Area is currently closed due to flooding. We will update when it reopens. Thank you for your understanding.
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