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...
INVITATION TO BID
MCCD Rock Springs-Scovill Bike Trail Paving & Nature Center Parking Lot Paving 2026
For a complete list of the specifications and to download the bidding documents for this project, please visit our Invitation to Bid page. Link in the comments below.
All inquiries about this project can be directed to our Director of Operations, Philip Julius, at PJulius@MaconCCD.org
🌧️It's a great day for a hike. While the pines tower overhead and raindrops patter through the branches, some of the coolest things in the forest are small enough to miss in a single step — so today, look down as much as you look up.
If you come out to play in the rain, be sure to stop by the gardens around Hidden Hollow to see some birds nest fungi in various stages!
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🌧Rainy days mean a chance to play in the Hidden Hollow creek at the Rock Springs Nature Center.
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Just a reminder that the open house to view the plans for Kaufman Lakeside Conservation Area is tonight, Tuesday, August 11 from 5-6pm! We will have comment cards available and staff will be there to answer questions. We hope to see you there!
*We will be located in the Monarch Room in the lower level. This can be accessed through the Hidden Hollow patio doors.*
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