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 on Facebook

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2 days ago

Macon County Conservation District

Check out these Illinois caterpillars and their moth counterparts. Which ones have you seen? ...

Check out these Illinois caterpillars and their moth counterparts. Which ones have you seen?Image attachmentImage attachment+Image attachment
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We found this guy exploring around us while at a bakery in Wisconsin. I don’t have any of my identification books with me but he was super cool!

My kiddos were super excited to see this guy hanging out by our house a couple days ago

I had a polyphemus moth drying himself on my house one summer. I had a dozen maple trees on the property. Gorgeous!

We saw two of these while camping this past weekend. Am I correct in identifying it as a future Imperial Moth? Easily as big around as your thumb.

These little guys have been on our tomato plants. Not sure what they are or will turn in to??

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Macon County Conservation District is at Macon County Conservation District.

2 weeks ago

Macon County Conservation District

For Teachers and Educators: In March, Decatur Audubon pledged to cover school bus transportation costs for students taking field trips to Rock Springs or any of the five conservation areas. 13 of those bus slots are still available! This grant opportunity is available on a first come, first serve basis: MaconCountyConservation.org/events/free-field-trip-transportation-from-decatur-audubon

You can browse field trip options here: MaconCountyConservation.org/education

Or download a PDF of the Educator's Guide: MaconCountyConservation.org/wp-content/uploads/Educators_Guide-2018.pdf ...

For Teachers and Educators: In March, Decatur Audubon pledged to cover school bus transportation costs for students taking field trips to Rock Springs or any of the five conservation areas. 13 of those bus slots are still available! This grant opportunity is available on a first come, first serve basis: https://MaconCountyConservation.org/events/free-field-trip-transportation-from-decatur-audubon You can browse field trip options here: https://MaconCountyConservation.org/education Or download a PDF of the Educators Guide: https://MaconCountyConservation.org/wp-content/uploads/Educators_Guide-2018.pdf
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Thank you for the opportunity!!

Thank you!

I saw it! Tanya copied it on our group messenger for our teachers.

Sara Waller

Jeanene Edrington Kim Hainline

Megan Hull

Alexandra Nichols Sara 'Davis' Kelly

Jewel Grady Tanya C. Young Katie Hill Jackalyn Bodine-Creason

Tonya Dasenbrock Kates

Garfield Montessori

Stephanie Wilkerson Laura Spears Johnson Johanna Bayles Kimberly Moore Karli Michele Grueninger Andi Livingston Annell Gibson

Aubrey Downing sounds pretty great!!

Linda Edwards Stubblefield!

Sarah Pritts,Kimberly Smith,Sarah Ransdell Brice,Rebecca Cordova,Nathaniel Tallent,Joslyn Keathley,Frances Swanberg,Aubrey Downing

Dono Mars Temethia Barbee Joyner Barbara Jones Scarlett

Elizabeth Karakachos and Sarah Hott

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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 . . .

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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 . . .

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