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.
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...
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...
🪵🔥 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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