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...
Our Natural Resources & Operations crews along with our volunteer gardeners spent a good chunk of this beautiful day getting the gardens around the front of the Rock Springs Nature Center and the Hidden Hollow patio area ready for planting! We're so glad to start seeing more color and signs of spring! 🌱☀️
🚚We had a very special delivery today. The trees have arrived for the Rooted in Community: 1,000 Tree Planting Event! Due to a couple very generous donations, we are now 64% into our goal! We only have 370 trees left to fund before the whole project has been fully funded!
Want to help us reach that goal and be a part of something lasting? Head to givebutter.com/1000TreesEvent where you can purchase the trees for $20, and there are options for additional donations as well.
We also need all the help we can get planting this many trees, no donation necessary! The trees are all the size you see pictured, the holes will be pre-dug by staff, and we will have staff and others on hand to teach you how to plant them. This is perfect opportunity for our area high school students needing volunteer hours as well. Email Ashton Dukeman at ADukeman@MaconCCD.org to be added to the list of volunteers.
Thank you for celebrating this special milestone year with us. Strong communities start with deep roots, and the future of Macon County is stronger because of you!🌳
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*UPDATE*
The power has been restored and the Conservation Area is back open!
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
There is a downed power line on Brozio Lane and power is out to all facilities at the Rock Springs Conservation Area. Access to the Conservation Area it's is also closed. We will post when we are able to reopen. Thank you for your understanding.
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Want to make an impact and get your hands dirty? Don't like digging but love planting? Come volunteer with us on April 18th at our Rooted in Community Event where we will plant 1000 trees! Holes are pre-dug by our staff. You'll be in charge of placing your tree in the hole and covering it with soil (the most satisfactory part of planting)
Don't want to get dirty or can't make it? No problem! You can donate $20 to purchase a tree to be planted (we'll do the dirty work for you).
You can also fundraise for the trees or check out our sponsorship opportunities that are available. For a team or individual fundraiser, contact Ashton Dukeman at ADukeman@MaconCCD.org.
We are half way to our goal thanks to our wonderful community! There are only 471 trees left, and we know with the help and support of our generous community, we will hit our goal of funding all 1,000 trees. You're role is vital and we appreciate your support! Share this with friends/family for a group activity to get together and make a difference.
Together we are improving habitats and combating the human footprint, one tree at a time!
givebutter.com/1000TreesEvent
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The April 4 Saturday Stroll will be canceled for our Egg Hunt program. You can join us next Saturday, April 11!
Thank you for your understanding!
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