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
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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...
Built by Nature, Crafted by Us. Here’s the Story Behind the New Timber Frame Pavilion at Friends Creek Conservation Area
For the past several months, there has been a project that we have kept quiet about while our staff worked hard to complete it. We sat down with Friends Creek Site Superintendent, Andy Murphy, to learn all the details about this newest structure at the Friends Creek Conservation Area group camp site. What is this structure we are standing by called? This is a King Post Pavilion. The top of the main bents are shaped to look like the king chess piece. You mentioned the term “bents”, care to talk a little bit more about those? Yeah, those are...
With the warmer weather months creeping up, we're already getting community events on the calendar - like for instance a certain 𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒇𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒍 event in Argenta this Saturday that you'll be able to find us at 👀. If you have had us out to an event before and would like us to return, or if you have a new event or have never had us out to your event before, we'd love to hear from you! To fill out a brief information and contact form, you can head to forms.cloud.microsoft/g/S6vQx8Nm7x or email ADukeman@MaconCCD.org, and our staff will reach out to you to learn more about your event!
📸 What does this old photo have to do with our brand-new event we posted?
This photo was taken in 1978, when local kids rolled up their sleeves to plant trees along Dipper Lane at Rock Springs Conservation Area for Arbor Day. Those trees didn’t just grow—they became part of the landscape, the memories, and the community.
Today, we’re carrying that tradition forward.
🌱 We’re launching our Rooted in Community: 1,000 Tree Planting Event - to be held on Saturday, April 18. This is a hands-on community effort to plant 1,000 trees at Fort Daniel Conservation Area in Mount Zion. These trees will grow into an oak savanna that future generations can explore, learn from, and call their own.
And just like in 1978, it takes a community to make it happen.
There are so many ways to get involved:
🌳 Purchase a tree (or a few!)
🤝 Volunteer to help plant—no donation required
💚 Start an individual or team fundraiser
🌲 Become a sponsor
🏢 Get your business, organization, club, church or classroom involved
📣 Share this campaign, tag friends, family, and community members, and help spread the word
This opportunity isn't just open to our Mount Zion residents, or even just Decatur folks. We want ALL of Macon County and our neighboring county supporters to come out and be a part of this event!
The kids in this photo planted something that lasted nearly 50 years.
Now it’s our turn.
👉 Learn more, get involved, or dig in with us here: givebutter.com/1000TreesEvent
Strong communities start with deep roots—let’s grow something amazing together. 🌳
📷Photo info: Arbor Day tree planting near Dipper Lane at Rock Springs Conservation Area June 1978. Credit Macon County Conservation District
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Have you purchased your tickets for our 60th Anniversary Pancake Breakfast yet? We're excited to kick off our milestone year with this throwback breakfast! 🥞
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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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We only have seven spots left for the Succulents & Sweethearts Terrarium Workshop! Grab your gals and celebrate Galentines Day with us, making some Valentines themed terrariums while enjoying some cookies and laughs! Registration closes on February 12, so don't wait and miss your chance! 💝
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