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.
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.
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.
The April 4 Saturday Stroll will be canceled for our Egg Hunt program. You can join us next Saturday, April 11!
Thank you for your understanding!
🌬️ Safety First: High Wind Advisory for Hikers and Bikers! 🌬️
We know everyone is itching to get outside and enjoy the warm temperatures! However, with extremely high winds today, we strongly recommend avoiding wooded trails due to the increased risk of falling branches and trees. If you're looking forward to seeing the spring flowers blooming, here are a couple pictures of some spring beauties and bloodroot to hold you over until the winds die down!
If you're needing to stretch your legs, our prairie trails are open and provide a safer option to enjoy the fresh air!
If you must hike near trees, please take extra precautions:
👂 Keep headphones out—stay alert to creaking trees and falling branches.
👀 Be aware of your surroundings—watch for shifting debris.
🌬️ Consider postponing your hike until the winds die down.
Your safety is our priority! We appreciate your help in keeping everyone safe while still enjoying nature responsibly. Stay safe and happy trails! 🌳💨
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There is still time to register for our free Egg Hunt this Saturday, April 4! Registration will be open until noon today, April 2.
From tiny, bright blue eggs to expertly camouflaged speckled eggs, birds lay a variety of different types of eggs. Learn about some of our local birds and the eggs they lay, then go on a walk to hunt for hidden eggs! There will be a special prize for the person who finds the Golden Egg. Don’t forget to bring your basket!🐣
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No fooling, we've reached 25% of our goal for the Rooted in Community: 1,000 Tree Planting Event! We have 740 trees left to sell, and at only $20 each we know we can reach that with the help of our community! Share the event link below with your friends, family, church, group, business, or team and lets work together to plant something lasting for Macon County!
If you would like a team or individual fundraiser created so you and your group can raise money together, contact Ashton Dukeman at ADukeman@MaconCCD.org.
Thank you for celebrating this special milestone year with us. Strong communities start with deep roots, and the future of Macon County is stronger because of you. 🌳
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We want to thank our community for nominating us for the Herald & Review's Reader's Choice Awards as one of the Best Places for Family Fun! We're grateful that so many value the Rock Springs Conservation Area enough to nominate us to make it to the top five.
Voting starts tomorrow, April 1 and runs through April 26. You can vote once per day and we would love to have your vote! Once the link is live, we will drop it in the comments below.
Thank YOU for making this happen and for valuing what we here at the Macon County Conservation District do. It's wonderful that so many members of our community have such dear memories from Rock Springs and our other locations!🌳
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