Programs & Activities

The Decatur Audubon Society will cover transportation costs for 20 school buses to take field trips to Rock Springs Nature Center or any of the five Macon County Conservation Areas, from now until the end of the 2018-2019 school year.

Children and teens are invited to participate in a county-wide Wildlife Art Contest this winter. Entries are due January 25!
>> Read More & Register

North Gallery
Enjoy a wide variety of photography, including scenes of trees, birds, landscapes, and more from talented local photographers.

South Gallery
View an eclectic collection of environmental art created by members of this local group committed to saving green spaces throughout our community.

Do you want to hear the latest news on educational programming, restoration efforts, foundation projects, and what’s new and improved? Don’t miss your chance!

Take a trip to this popular state park to look for wintering eagles, check out the visitor’s center, and even visit the lock and dam museum.
>> Read more & Register

How many species of deer do we have in Illinois? Learn about these resident mammals by touching their fur, viewing an antler, and making a craft.
>> Read More & Register

Rock Springs Nature Center is open. Business offices are closed.

Visit this state park and venture through river bluffs and woods to get an up-close look at wintering bald eagles along the Mississippi River and lower Illinois River.
>> Read more & register

Take a trip to this popular state park to look for wintering eagles, check out the visitor’s center, and even visit the lock and dam museum.
>> Read more & Register

Dulcimer Club Meetings at Rock Springs Nature Center offer a perfect opportunity to rediscover musical interests and talents. Bring your instrument, learn a new tune or simply enjoy the musical talents of our volunteers. Free and open to the public.

Is cabin fever setting in? Macon County Conservation District Volunteers are invited to warm up inside the Nature Center with friends and create a mini clay pot snowman.

Homeschoolers are invited to join a naturalist as we talk about what animals do in winter.
>> Read More & Register

Take a trip to this popular state park to look for wintering eagles, check out the visitor’s center, and even visit the lock and dam museum.
>> Read more & Register

Learn how to preserve your family history with these tips and guidelines on how to protect old letters and documents.
>> Read More

Enjoy music played by Cross Country Classics. Free.

Dulcimer Club Meetings at Rock Springs Nature Center offer a perfect opportunity to rediscover musical interests and talents. Bring your instrument, learn a new tune or simply enjoy the musical talents of our volunteers. Free and open to the public.

Bring your camera and tripod and join us for a photography workshop! There will be a discussion inside followed by a walk outside to photograph nature in winter.
>> Read More & Register

Bluegrass Music Jam at Rock Springs Nature Center offer a perfect opportunity to rediscover musical interests and talents. Bring your instrument, learn a new tune or simply enjoy the musical talents of our volunteers. Free and open to the public.

Explore one of the greatest ancient civilizations in North America. >> Read more & register

Prairie Heritage Volunteers fill many niches at Homestead Prairie Farm, from carpentry work to costumed interpretation. Receive your monthly update at this meeting. Refreshments provided.

East Conference Room
We invite seasoned desk volunteers, and those interested in volunteering at the desk, to join us for this updated training.

Come out to Rock Springs Nature Center to learn how sap becomes syrup, why spring is the best time of year to harvest sap, and how people used sap throughout history. Program held hourly from 11 am to 1 pm.
>> Read more & register

February is the perfect time of the year for skunks to start making nests and preparing for babies. Learn all about these feisty mammals and make a skunk-themed craft to take home.
>> Read More & Register

Rock Springs Nature Center is open. Business offices are closed.

Children ages 1-5 will learn about the National Bird that soars nearby and observe an eagle skull and egg.
>> Read More & Register

Macon County Conservation District Board Meeting at Rock Springs Nature Center

Children ages 1-5 will learn about the National Bird that soars nearby and observe an eagle skull and egg.
>> Read More & Register

East Conference Room
We invite seasoned desk volunteers, and those interested in volunteering at the desk, to join us for this updated training.

Dulcimer Club Meetings at Rock Springs Nature Center offer a perfect opportunity to rediscover musical interests and talents. Bring your instrument, learn a new tune or simply enjoy the musical talents of our volunteers. Free and open to the public.

Friends Creek Conservation Area
Join us to learn about these forest-dwelling nocturnal predators. We will discuss what makes them special, then take a hike to find some. >> Read More & Register

Experienced singers from the Charleston-Mattoon Sacred Harp Singers will delight the public with their unique music.

Learn about the history of fire in the United States, on the Illinois landscape, and how perceptions of fire have changed over the years. We will also show how prescribed fire is currently used in Central Illinois as a management tool and how the Macon County Conservation District conducts prescribed burns.
>> Read More

Did you know that some animals are most active during the times between day and night? Tag along on a hike during the dusky hours of the day to search for crepuscular animals as they begin to move around.
>> Read More & Register

East Conference Room
We invite volunteers interested in assisting with natural area restoration to attend this training. This training will qualify you to use herbicides as volunteers on Conservation District lands.

Enjoy music played by Cross Country Classics. Free.

Natural Resources staff will explain why and how we use prescribed fire in Central Illinois as a management tool. We’ll cover fire history, fire weather, behavior, burn plans, safety, firebreaks, ignition devices and techniques, and smoke management.

Dulcimer Club Meetings at Rock Springs Nature Center offer a perfect opportunity to rediscover musical interests and talents. Bring your instrument, learn a new tune or simply enjoy the musical talents of our volunteers. Free and open to the public.

Bluegrass Music Jam at Rock Springs Nature Center offer a perfect opportunity to rediscover musical interests and talents. Bring your instrument, learn a new tune or simply enjoy the musical talents of our volunteers. Free and open to the public.

Prairie Heritage Volunteers fill many niches at Homestead Prairie Farm, from carpentry work to costumed interpretation. Receive your monthly update at this meeting. Refreshments provided.

Have you ever wondered what that green fuzzy stuff is you see on bark, the ground, and rocks? We will look into the fascinating life of mosses (bryophytes) and see some examples found out in nature.

Dulcimer Club Meetings at Rock Springs Nature Center offer a perfect opportunity to rediscover musical interests and talents. Bring your instrument, learn a new tune or simply enjoy the musical talents of our volunteers. Free and open to the public.

East Conference Room
We invite volunteers interested in assisting with natural area restoration to attend this training. This training will qualify you to use herbicides as volunteers on Conservation District lands.