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.
Lichen and Fungi… Oh My!
By Hope Moore The kingdom Fungi have been very misunderstood for many years, only being classified as a kingdom since 1969. They had been considered plants prior to this year, meaning scientists have only had a small portion of time to truly study and understand them as their own kingdom. Not all fungi are created equal considering the many different ways they can appear. Some can be microscopic, others can form visible fruiting bodies (e.g. a mushroom), and they can come in many colors and sizes. With this, it can be really difficult to classify what each fungus is...
The Prairie Islander is Going Digital!
By Ashton Dukeman Since its launch in 1976, the Prairie Islander has been a valuable source of District information and updates, documenting the evolution of the District with each printed edition. As we embark on a new chapter, transitioning from ink and paper to a digital platform, we reflect on the history that has shaped this long - running newsletter. Join us as we explore its journey through the decades, celebrating its legacy while embracing the future of sustainable communication. When the newsletter began, it didn’t go by the familiar name of Prairie Islander that we now know. It...
A Summer Intern’s Involvement
By DCLI Intern, Sam R. Being an intern with the MCCD (Macon County Conservation District) this summer has been absolutely amazing, to say the least. All sorts of different opportunities and tasks came my way that exposed me to things I hadn’t necessarily done before, let alone in a work environment! These new experiences not only allowed me to improve my photography skills but also have fun and meet new people while doing it! This article provides an in-depth look into my experience as an intern with the MCCD and also explores how it influenced my personal and professional...
Let Them Be Wild
By Ashton Dukeman We understand more than most that baby animals are downright adorable, but is it ever a good idea to take an animal from the wild to keep as a pet? The answer to that would be, no. No matter how cute a wild animal is, removing them from their home in the wild to bring in and attempt to keep them as a domestic animal is never advisable for many reasons. Wild animals can be dangerous. Wild animals are just that: wild. They have natural instincts that they have developed to protect themselves, and it is not...
A Solid Foundation
By Ashton Dukeman We here at the Macon County Conservation District wouldn’t be able to do what we do without several vital things that all play major roles in our daily operations, including our amazing volunteer base, our stellar and knowledgeable staff, and of course, the public that we serve. One other major piece of the puzzle that makes up the Macon County Conservation District is the Macon County Conservation Foundation. As the fundraising arm of the District, the Macon County Conservation Foundation actively works to restore and preserve local natural areas, and to ensure a good quality of...
April is Citizen Science Month
by Beth Lane April is Citizen Science Month, and is celebrated by renewing the effort to involve the public in scientific research projects. But why should we care? Citizen Science is a collaboration between public and scientific professionals to collect and analyze data for research projects. It has pseudonyms such as: community science, crowd science, crowd-sourced science, civic science, participatory monitoring, or volunteer monitoring. Citizen scientists are not always professional scientists! In fact they can be any age, from any walk of life, with any amount of experience. All that is really needed to be a citizen scientist is curiosity...
🎽 Two more sleeps ‘til Ramble day! Still need your gear?
Shirts, bibs, and medals will be ready for early pickup starting Friday, May 16 at Rock Springs Nature Center from 8am–5pm.
🧢 Pro tip: Pack your sunscreen and bug spray now—your future self will thank you.
Still haven’t registered? Time’s ticking... ⏰ Online sign-up ends Friday at 1pm!
www.maconcountyconservationfoundation.org/events/rock-springs-ramble/
#RockSpringsRamble #TrailTime #RacePrep
🚨 The countdown is ON! Just 3 days until we lace up and hit the trails for the Rock Springs Ramble!
Whether you're going for gold, jogging for joy, or walking with friends, there’s still time to register!
👉 Online registration closes this Friday at 1pm – don’t miss it!
Can’t join us in person? No problem! Sign up for the virtual option and Ramble on your own route.
www.maconcountyconservationfoundation.org/events/rock-springs-ramble/
🌱 Let’s get moving!
#RockSpringsRamble #RambleReady #CountdownToRaceDay
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🎶 Get ready for another summer of great music in the great outdoors! 🌳☀️
We’re turning up the volume on your summer weekends with the 2025 Summer Concert Series at Rock Springs Conservation Area! Grab your lawn chairs, pack a picnic, and join us under the sky for an evening of live tunes, nature vibes, and community fun.
🎤 Find all the details at our website: www.maconccd.org/annual-events-mccd/summer-concert-series-rock-springs/
All concerts are FREE and family-friendly—because good music should be shared!
Tag your concert crew and mark your calendars! 🎸🌻
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🐾 Important Reminder: Please Don’t Abandon Pets in Conservation Areas
These aren’t the kinds of public service announcements we like to make—but they’re important.
This young domestic rat was recently found at Rock Springs with an injured paw. Thankfully, she scurried right up to some of our staff—sweet, trusting, and clearly not equipped to survive on her own in the wild. We hate to imagine what might’ve happened if someone else—or something else—had found her first.
Abandoning pets in nature is not only illegal—it’s incredibly cruel and dangerous for the animal. Domestic rats, like all pets, depend on humans for food, shelter, and safety. Releasing them into the wild isn’t giving them a second chance—it’s taking it away.
Thankfully, this little one is now safe at the animal shelter, where she’ll hopefully find a home with someone who understands her needs and will never leave her behind again.
If you find yourself unable to care for a pet, please reach out to a shelter, rescue, or animal control. There are always better options than abandonment. Rock Springs is not a wildlife rehabilitation or animal rescue facility, nor are any of our other Areas. And dealing with pet abandonment occurrences causes staff to have to take time away from their jobs to try and find a solution. Feel free to share this post to raise awareness about this issue!
Let’s do better—for every creature who trusts us to keep them safe. 💚
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🍷Sip, Savor, & Support the Macon County Conservation Foundation.
Join us on June 28 for an unforgettable evening at Wine in the Wild, featuring delicious drinks, food, games, an exciting auction, and a sneak peek at the future plans for Woodbine Farm and Fort Daniel Conservation Area. Whether you’re clinking glasses with us in person or cheering from afar, your support makes a real difference.
Even if you can’t attend, you can still help us preserve and restore these incredible natural and historical spaces for generations to come. You can donate on our auction and donation GiveButter page to get on the leader-board and help us reach our goal! If you can't make it to the event the night of, you'll still be able to follow along with our fundraising progress throughout the evening with the Live Display option!
givebutter.com/c/WineInTheWild
Sponsor. Donate. Be part of something wild.
🎟️For tickets and event sponsorship information, head to our event page here: www.maconcountyconservationfoundation.org/events/wine-in-the-wild/
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