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.
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...
*UPDATE*
The Nature Center amenities have been restored, however we will remain closed for the rest of the day. The What Flies at Night: Discovering Moths with Kevin Wiener is STILL HAPPENING and we will be open for that program.
Our hours will resume as normal for tomorrow, Saturday, June 13.*UPDATE*
The Nature Center amenities have been restored, however we will remain closed for the rest of the day. The What Flies at Night: Discovering Moths with Kevin Wiener is STILL HAPPENING and we will be open for that program.
Our hours will resume as normal for tomorrow, Saturday, June 13.
Due to last night's storms, the Rock Springs Nature Center and Rock Springs-Fairview Bike Trail are closed today, Friday, June 12.
Summer camps are also canceled for today and we are in the process of contacting all parents and guardians.
We will wait until later in the day to make a decision about the What Flies at Night: Discovering Moths with Kevin Wiener.
The trails at our other sites are being assessed by crews. For your safety and the safety of our staff, we suggest exercising caution or waiting to hike until all trails have been cleared of debris or blockages.
We will keep you updated. Thank you for your understanding.
SOLD OUT! We sold our last tickets tonight! We are staying on top of the scammers in the comments as we see them come in, but later in the night if you see anyone offering to sell tickets, please DO NOT REPLY. These are scams. We'll be back at Woodbine in 2027 for another great Wine in the Wild!
Tomorrow is the big day for the Wine in the Wild! The tent survived the past two nights of storms, and crews are out clearing the space to get it all ready for tomorrow. There are only a couple of tickets left for this event, so make sure to get yours before they sell out!SOLD OUT! We sold our last tickets tonight! We are staying on top of the scammers in the comments as we see them come in, but later in the night if you see anyone offering to sell tickets, please DO NOT REPLY. These are scams. We'll be back at Woodbine in 2027 for another great Wine in the Wild!
The tent survived the last two big storms and is looking great! We have just a few tickets remaining for the Wine in the Wild 2026! Grab your today before they are sold out!
5 CommentsComment on Facebook
*UPDATE*
The Nature Center amenities have been restored, however we will remain closed for the rest of the day. The What Flies at Night: Discovering Moths with Kevin Wiener is STILL HAPPENING and we will be open for that program.
Our hours will resume as normal for tomorrow, Saturday, June 13.
Due to last night's storms, the Rock Springs Nature Center and Rock Springs-Fairview Bike Trail are closed today, Friday, June 12.
Summer camps are also canceled for today and we are in the process of contacting all parents and guardians.
We will wait until later in the day to make a decision about the What Flies at Night: Discovering Moths with Kevin Wiener.
The trails at our other sites are being assessed by crews. For your safety and the safety of our staff, we suggest exercising caution or waiting to hike until all trails have been cleared of debris or blockages.
We will keep you updated. Thank you for your understanding.
1 CommentsComment on Facebook
Good news for any who may have forgot! We extended the tickets sales for the What Flies at Night: Discovering Moths with Kevin Wiener program tomorrow night! Kevin came out to be a special guest speaker for our summer campers yesterday and we're excited to have him back again tomorrow.
There are still a few tickets left, so get yours today before they sell out! 🌙
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Join us this Saturday June 13 for our Firefly Hike at Rock Springs Conservation Area! We'll take a leisurely after-hours stroll down the Rock Springs-Fairview Bike Trail and learn all about our glowing friends and see how many we can spot!
Registration closes Friday, June 12 at noon, and can be found on our website and in the comments below.
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