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...
🐸 Pond explorers wanted!
Has your child come home from a field trip raving about all the cool critters they discovered in our Ponds & Wetlands program? Now’s your chance to join the adventure together!
📅 This Sunday, September 7 at 2pm
📋 Dip and Scoop Day
📍 Rock Springs Conservation Area
💲 FREE – no registration required!
Grab a dip net and see what fascinating creatures are hiding in the pond. Our naturalist will be there to help identify your discoveries and share fun facts about pond life.
✨ Come make family memories that could spark a lifelong love for nature!
See what's happening!
Prairie Islander Newsletter Fall 2025 - mailchi.mp/6629433b18d9/prairie-islander-newsletter-fall-2025
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📣Here is a PSA for today📣
Nearing Lane will be closed on September 3 all day as staff work to replace a culvert between the bus parking lot and the main parking lot. To get into the main parking lot, you can continue down Brozio Lane and turn onto our service lane that goes by the Cattail Pond.
Thank you for you patience!
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🍂 Hello, fall fun! The end of August means our September programs are just around the corner—and we’ve packed the month with activities you won’t want to miss.
📅 Save this calendar to your phone so you’ve got all the dates at your fingertips.
🔍 Want the full scoop? Visit maconccd.org/events for event details.
We’re ready for a season of nature, learning, and adventure—are you?
#maconitwild #hikeillinois #outdoordecatur #Illinois #naturalillinois #onlyinillinois #middleofeverything #DecaturIL #DecaturEvents #illinoisevents #maconconservation #enjoyillinois
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🎃👻 Calling All Treat Trail Sponsors! 👻🎃
The Treat Trail is creeping up, and we’re now offering sponsorship opportunities for this wildly popular fall event! 🍬🍂
Last year, hundreds of families joined us at Rock Springs Conservation Area for an evening of costumes, candy, and community fun—all set against the backdrop of autumn nature. 🌳✨
As a sponsor, your organization will:
✅ Connect directly with local families
✅ Showcase your community support
✅ Help us create a safe, fun, and nature-filled Halloween tradition
Sponsorships are available at several levels, and spots for Treat Trail stations fill quickly—so don’t ghost us! 👻
👉 Learn more and secure your spot here: www.maconccd.org/annual-events-mccd/treat-trail/
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