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...
🦇One of our most popular summer library programs - The Unloveables - is venturing from between the bookshelves of your local library to the Rock Springs Nature Center on Sunday, July 12 at 3pm. Meet one of our most lovable "unloveable" critters up close and in person at this indoor educational program.
Registration is open until noon on Friday, July 10. You can find the registration page in the event linked above, or in the comments below. We can't wait to see you there! 🐍🕷️
While you're here, take a peek at our newest educational ambassador animal, Snorky! 👀
Ever wondered why Macon County is special enough to have one of the only five conservation districts in the state of Illinois? Wonder no more! This Saturday, July 11 at 2pm, long-time employee Melody Arnold will present the History of the Macon County Conservation District program in celebration of our 60th anniversary. There is no registration necessary for this free, indoor event to learn about an important part of Macon County's history. 🌳
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Snack time for Snorky the lesser siren 🪱 Come and visit him to learn more about this facinating creature at the Rock Springs Nature Center!
#maconitwild #nativeillinois #protectwildlife #midwest #Illinois #naturalillinois #onlyinillinois #DecaturIL #conservationefforts #maconconservation #conservation #amphibians #sirens #lessersiren
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Meet the newest member of our educational ambassador animal team, Snorky! Snorky is a lesser siren (Siren intermedia) and is one of three species of aquatic salamanders that are found in Illinois - the other two being the mudpuppy and the hellbender. The frills behind their ears are external gills, and while they can breathe through these, they can also breathe with lungs and through their skin.
Come meet and learn more about Snorky at the Rock Springs Nature Center!
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Good news! The Rock Springs-Fairview Bike Trail has reopened. Be sure to pack plenty of water and know your limits if you're planning to visit this week; this heat is no joke!
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