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.
NOTICE OF CLOSURES AND CANCELLATIONS FOR JUNE 18
Due to damage from last night's severe storms, we have the following announcements regarding closures and cancellations. Please check back for updates.
* The Rock Springs Nature Center building is closed. *Water is back on at the info shelter pavilion restrooms. The building will reopen at the usual time tomorrow Friday, June 19.
* The Rock Springs-Fairview Bike Trail remains closed due to flooding and will remain closed until it is safe to reopen. The water is very high and flowing fast. Once it receeds, dries, and we can clean off the trail, we will reopen it.
* Earth Adventures and Mini Camps are both cancelled. Extreme Camp will continue as planned. Parents and guardians are being contacted.
* We would advise not hiking on the trails at our sites as crews are out working diligently to remove the debris. If you do go out, please exercise extreme caution and give the crews plenty of space to work.
* All rentals for today will be cancelled and will be notified and refunded.
* Sand Creek Conservation Area trails are open, but we advise using caution and your best judgment. The creek is up, so please either wait to hike/ride or do so safely.
We will post any updates as we receive them.
Thank you for your understanding.
📢IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT📢
Due to incoming severe weather, we will be cancelling tonight's June District Board meeting that was set to start at 5:30pm.
The Rock Springs-Fairview Bike Trail and Wycles canoe launch are also closed due to the flooding of the Sangamon River.
Thank you for your understanding, and please stay safe!
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🥾Celebrate Father's Day with a free hike out at Rock Springs Conservation Area! We'll take a stroll down the Big Oak Trail and connect with other nature-minded people. You can read all the details and register at: www.maconccd.org/events/fathers-day-hike/
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Let's play ball!⚾
Our very own Rock Springs Ground Squirrels are having an open day of play on June 27th at 11am! They are hoping to get some new additions to the vintage base ball team and are inviting the community out to give it a try. Players must be at least 16 years of age, and there will be a potluck that you are welcome to attend as well. Other players from other teams are also invited, so you'll have a chance to learn all about this game from the players themselves!
Come out and see how this more than 160 year old game was played and discover why so many people love this sport!
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It's Nature Photography Day!📷 This is a day to encourage people of all skill levels to explore the outdoors and capture the beauty of nature. And we couldn't ask for better weather!
What will you discover when you get outside and Explore Your Outdoors?
If you get some photos, we would love to see them in the comments below!
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