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.
🪵🔥 Looks like we've got a little nature lover with a big imagination on our hands! A young visitor wasted no time turning our new campfire rug and log pillows into the coziest (and tastiest) campsite around — and honestly, we think they nailed it.
Our Children's Room has been getting some exciting updates lately, and new goodies are still rolling in! Come see what's new for yourself at Sunday Storytime, every Sunday at 2pm at Rock Springs Nature Center — it's the perfect way to explore the space, enjoy some nature stories, and spend a little time together as a family. 🌿📚
And psst — keep coming back each week! With new items still being added, there's always something fresh to discover. We can't wait to see what our littlest visitors come up with next! 💚
🎉 We're hitting the airwaves — and we have some exciting news to share!
Yesterday, our very own Alysia Callison and Ashton Dukeman headed to Champaign to sit down with @jaclyn.friedlander at ciLiving.tv to chat about two of our biggest upcoming 60th Anniversary celebrations — 60th Anniversary Trivia Night and the Rooted in Community: 1,000 Tree Planting Event ! Check the comments for links to both segments!
But here's the buzz — Trivia Night is almost sold out with only FOUR tables remaining! Don't wait on this one, or you'll be watching from the sidelines! 🧠🏆
And the trees? We still have plenty available and we are SO ready to see our community come together to get all 1,000 funded! Every tree planted is a living legacy for Macon County — and we'd love for YOU to be a part of it. 🌳
Links to grab your trivia table and adopt a tree are in the comments below. Our 60th year is shaping up to be something truly special, and we cannot wait to celebrate it with all of you! 🌱
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🗓️Check out the programs and events this week at the Macon County Conservation District! You can find our full list of events with registration details at www.maconccd.org/events/
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The view from the Squirrel's Nest Conference Room and Window on Wildlife was a bit chilly this morning. Just when we had finally started to pack away our winter coats 😭🐿️
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🌿 Take a walk on the wild side — every Saturday!
Join us each Saturday at 10am for a guided stroll along the trails with one of our naturalists at Rock Springs Nature Center. Whether it's a familiar path or a first visit, nature always has something new in store. A curious bird, a blooming wildflower, a hidden critter — you never know what you'll discover!
Come once or make it your new Saturday tradition. Either way, we'd love to have you along!
🗓️ Every Saturday | 10am
📍 Rock Springs Nature Center
✅ Free | No registration required
👟 Dress for the weather and we'll handle the rest!
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