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

Macon County Conservation District

2 days ago

Along with opening the Rock Springs-Fairview Bike Trail this morning, we're also now opening Sand Creek Conservation Area. Thank you for your patience while flooding subsided at both locations. See the status of Conservation District trails at any time, posted on the homepage of our website, under the "News & Announcements" section: MaconCountyConservation.org ...

maconcountyconservation.org

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Macon County Conservation District

2 days ago

UPDATED: The Rock Springs-Fairview Bike Trail and Sand Creek Conservation Area are open now. Thank you for your patience while flooding subsided at both sites. See the status of Conservation District trails at any time, posted on the homepage of our website, under the "News & Announcements" section: MaconCountyConservation.org ...

maconcountyconservation.org

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Thanks for the update. I live an hour away and bring my horse to ride the trails. It's very frustrating to not know if Sand Creek is open or closed if this FB page hasn't be updated. so thank you!

Thanks (:

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Macon County Conservation District

6 days ago

We're gearing up to open Friends Creek Campground at the beginning of June. WCIA 3 News tells more: www.wcia.com/news/local-news/campgrounds-prepare-to-open/?fbclid=IwAR0kvPW9xIMt8pXSLyNtWkJAz4BkQO... Friend Creek Campground welcomes both tent and RV camping. It's typically open May 1 through November 1. Learn more about the campground here: MaconCountyConservation.org/conservation-areas/friends-creek-conservation-area ...

Campgrounds prepare to open

www.wcia.com

CISCO, Ill. (WCIA) — This time of year campgrounds would normally be open and full. When the state moves into Phase Three, they will start looking that way again. The Friends Creek Conservati…

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More about Friends Creek Conservation Area, and its campground, located 20 minutes northeast of Decatur, near Argenta, IL: MaconCountyConservation.org/conservation-areas/friends-creek-conservation-area

Kimberly Bart

Doug Fogerson

Mary Richardson Neff Have you ever camped here?

Dottie Cottrell

This campground's a great spot, peaceful and very clean

Danielle Walker look you'll be able to camp!

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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 . . .