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

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  and Twitter.

Macon County Conservation District on Facebook

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Macon County Conservation District

1 day ago

Macon County Conservation District

Last weekend's canoe trip was rescheduled due to strong winds, and we've got some openings if anyone would like to join us! The new date is this 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟰𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝘁 𝟭𝗽𝗺. Give us a call at (217) 423-7708 if you'd like to register! (Please call before Friday at 5pm.) ...

Last weekends canoe trip was rescheduled due to strong winds, and weve got some openings if anyone would like to join us! The new date is this 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟰𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝘁 𝟭𝗽𝗺. Give us a call at (217) 423-7708 if youd like to register! (Please call before Friday at 5pm.)
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Macon County Conservation District

4 days ago

Macon County Conservation District

Caterpillar employees helped remove wire fencing at Friends Creek Conservation Area. They removed about 5,000 feet of fencing - just under 1 mile! Along with that 150 fence posts were salvaged and donated to Crossing Gardens to help stake their fruit trees. Thank you, We Are Caterpillar Decatur! We still have more than 6,000 feet of fence that needs to be removed. If you or your group would like to help, call Ethan at 217-853-3465. ...

Caterpillar employees helped remove wire fencing at Friends Creek Conservation Area. They removed about 5,000 feet of fencing - just under 1 mile! Along with that 150 fence posts were salvaged and donated to Crossing Gardens to help stake their fruit trees. Thank you, We Are Caterpillar Decatur! We still have more than 6,000 feet of fence that needs to be removed. If you or your group would like to help, call Ethan at 217-853-3465.Image attachmentImage attachment+1Image attachment
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Removing fencing reduces hazards for wildlife, and allows them to move around more freely. It also makes the conservation areas easier and safer for staff to manage.

Thank y'all so much for all of the energy, effort and time making our world a better place ⊂(◉‿◉)つ

Awesome!

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Macon County Conservation District

1 week ago

Macon County Conservation District

Update: All 50 kits are reserved now - Since we aren’t holding the usual Fall Harvest Festival this year, we are putting together free Fall Harvest Kits for families to pick up. Each kit contains a craft, coloring sheets, recipes for the family to do together, a mini pumpkin or gourd, candy, and activities. The kits are free. We will only make 50, so supplies will be limited to first come, first served. If your family would like one or more kits, call to reserve yours: 217-423-7708. (Each kit includes materials for one child.) Reserved kits may be picked up during the last week of October (October 26-30, 8am-5pm in Rock Springs Nature Center: MaconCountyConservation.org/conservation-areas/rock-springs-nature-center). ...

Update: All 50 kits are reserved now - Since we aren’t holding the usual Fall Harvest Festival this year, we are putting together free Fall Harvest Kits for families to pick up. Each kit contains a craft, coloring sheets, recipes for the family to do together, a mini pumpkin or gourd, candy, and activities. The kits are free. We will only make 50, so supplies will be limited to first come, first served. If your family would like one or more kits, call to reserve yours: 217-423-7708. (Each kit includes materials for one child.) Reserved kits may be picked up during the last week of October (October 26-30, 8am-5pm in Rock Springs Nature Center: https://MaconCountyConservation.org/conservation-areas/rock-springs-nature-center).
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All 50 Fall Harvest Kits are reserved now.

Lovely idea.

Haley Blankenship I want to get one

Stephanie Lynn Johnson

Kendra Robinson

Naomi Davis

Angeline E. Mehr

Ashley Butler Susan A Tate

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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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