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.
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...
District Project Updates
By Jerry Culp With the busy summer and fall seasons behind us, we’re turning our focus to several exciting new projects that will benefit both our community and local ecosystems. Here’s a look into three of our biggest projects. Indoor-Outdoor Classroom A new Indoor-Outdoor Classroom is being constructed in the lower level of the Rock Springs Nature Center thanks to funding from the Park and Recreational Facility Construction Act, or PARC Grant, through the State of Illinois. It will feature: Adaptive Classroom Space: With a glass wall that will open to the outside and cohesive flooring that translates...
Takeaways from the 2024 ANCA Annual Summit
By Taylor Buley Working at a Nature Center and for a Conservation District allows for myriad opportunities. There are many conferences and summits out there for staff to explore and to help expand their professional network. One organization that we connect with here at Macon County Conservation District is the Association of Nature Center Administrators, or ANCA. ANCA is a non-profit professional organization that is dedicated to leaders in the nature and environmental learning profession. Their mission is to promote and support the best leadership and management practices, and ANCA serves more than 700 members across North America. They are...
🎶 Set a reminder— Summer Concert Series: Celtic Whistle is coming up next in our 2025 lineup at Rock Springs Conservation Area!
Join us Sunday, June 15 from 7–8pm for an evening of free, family-friendly music. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, pack a picnic, and enjoy the beautiful sounds of Celtic Whistle as you wind down the weekend.
🍷 Only 18 Days to Go! 🍷
Our very first Wine in the Wild event is fast approaching, and the response has been incredible! We’re thrilled to welcome you out to the beautiful Woodbine Farm for an evening of drinks, food, and fundraising fun.
But here’s the catch—this is an exclusive, limited-ticket event and we’re down to our final 30 tickets out of just 100!
🎟️ Don’t wait—grab your tickets today before they’re gone! Help support local conservation efforts and be part of this exciting new tradition.
🌿 Want to do even more for nature? Become a sponsor! Your support helps the Macon County Conservation Foundation continue preserving and protecting natural spaces in our community.
📲 Ticket sales and sponsorship details can be found here:
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Looks like our turtle friend wasn’t the only curious visitor to the new Indoor-Outdoor Classroom! 🐢🐾
Someone clearly missed the memo that benches are for sitting—not for climbing.
Can you guess who left these muddy little footprints behind?
8 CommentsComment on Facebook
CANCELLATION: Today's Yoga in the Pines program has been cancelled due to forecasted rain. We hope to see you at next month's session on July 19! Stay dry out there!
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
📅Check out our free programs this weekend at Friends Creek and Rock Springs Conservation Areas! You can find all the details for these, and all our other programming by clicking the Learn More button below.
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
1 CommentsComment on Facebook
View more comments