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, by emailing us your name and mailing address at [email protected]. You may also read the current issue online.

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 [email protected] or call 217-423-7708.

Social Media

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Macon County Conservation District

1 day ago

See how staff and volunteers preserved one of Macon County's oldest homes, and transformed it into a museum. Join Historic Sites Manager, Brent, for this virtual Zoom presentation on Thursday, January 28. Free. Must pre-register online by noon on Wednesday: MaconCountyConservation.org/events/restoring-homestead-prairie-farm-a-look-back-in-photos-12821 ...

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Macon County Conservation District

4 days ago

We have a few January Mini Camp Kits left: For children ages 1-5 to learn about winter weather at home. $6/kit. Register online by noon on January 27: MaconCountyConservation.org/nature-camps-for-kids/mini-campsAges 1-5 can explore winter weather with our January Mini Camp Kit: In place of in-person Mini Camps, we're offering nature-themed kits designed for children ages 1-5 and an adult buddy. The pre-packaged kits contain activities, games, and crafts exploring each camp theme. Please allow 3 to 7 days for us to process your kit order. We will call you when the kit is ready, and arrange a time for you to collect your kit from Rock Springs Nature Center via curbside pick-up. Each kit includes materials for one participant. $6/kit. Maximum of 24 kits available for each theme: maconcountyconservation.org/nature.../mini-camps ...

We have a few January Mini Camp Kits left: For children ages 1-5 to learn about winter weather at home. $6/kit. Register online by noon on January 27: https://MaconCountyConservation.org/nature-camps-for-kids/mini-camps

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When registering, remember to make sure your information is correct and up to date in your account, so we can contact you to pickup your kit.

Aurora loved hers. Thank you so much for doing this.

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Macon County Conservation District was live.

5 days ago

Today we will be talking about our education animals! Learn about the reptiles and amphibians we have here at our nature center and what makes them unique! ...

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Is this the same as a "Red eared slider?

What venomous snake has round pupils?

The coral snake has a neurotoxin. Red and black on yellow kill a fellow.

Don’t they have spikes?

The one in New Zealand?

She’s not shy at all❣️

Don't you have a hog nosed snake? How do you determine gender?

What do you do if a blue racer chases you?

Heck yeah!

So cool

Great information! Thank you!

Thank you.

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Conservation District Receives $180K Grant for Rock Springs-Fairview Bike Trail Renovations

The Macon County Conservation District was awarded a grant of $180,800 to renovate the bridges on the Rock Springs-Fairview Bike Trail.

1880s-Style Harvest Fun Comes to Rock Springs

Mary Morrow was on a roll with pumpkin rolling Sunday afternoon at the Rock Springs Conservation Area’s Fall Harvest Festival. Competing against several other kids on a downhill slope outside the Nature Center building, Mary stood out before the race got going because she was dressed in period 1880s clothing . . .

Healthy Burn for Prairie

Prairie used to cover most of Illinois. Fires occurred routinely and naturally, which rejuvenated the prairie grasses and maintained their health, said Richie Wolf, Rock Springs Nature Center manager. The Macon County Conservation District has used prescribed burns since 1978 to restore conservation areas for several reasons . . .