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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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...
Decatur Area Audubon Society Bus Grants for 2024-25 School Year
Decatur Area Audubon Society is once again providing funding towards bus transportation for the 2024-25 school year to Rock Springs Nature Center or any of the five Macon County Conservation Areas, or towards in-classroom programs with Conservation District staff.This grant applies to any school in Macon County, or those serving students living in Macon County, as well as other area schools. Funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and can be used toward:• Bus transportation to Rock Springs Nature Center or any of the five Macon County Conservation Areas,• In-classroom programs presented by a District naturalist, or• Virtual...
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...
Only one more week until we start stacking up the pancakes to kick off 60 years of conservation, community, and connection at our 60th Anniversary Pancake Breakfast ! Here's another throwback photo from the pancake breakfasts of the past of staff and volunteers making sure there is plenty to go around.
We've started getting the supplies ready and can't wait to welcome our community to one of our first of many anniversary celebrations.🥞
Tickets for the all-you-can-eat breakfast are available day-of, but advance purchase is strongly encouraged to ensure availability. The link to pre-purchase your tickets will be dropped in the comments below!
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!
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📸 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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