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
5 hours ago
Macon County Conservation District

We have a couple of last minute openings for tomorrow's X-treme Camp!

Children ages 10-15 can sign up for this camp, where they will visit New Salem State Historic Site and learn about Abraham Lincoln and life in the 1830s, then head over to Sky Zone to grab air on wall-to-wall trampolines and climb the sky wall.
Registration is $60 per camper. Campers will meet at Rock Springs Nature Center at 8am tomorrow morning and return at 4pm.
Visit our website or give us a call for more information, but don't wait as we will close registration by 1pm today.

maconcountyconservation.org/nature-camps-for-kids/x-treme-camp/

📸 via enjoyillinois.com ... See MoreSee Less

We have a couple of last minute openings for tomorrows X-treme Camp! Children ages 10-15 can sign up for this camp, where they will visit New Salem State Historic Site and learn about Abraham Lincoln and life in the 1830s, then head over to Sky Zone to grab air on wall-to-wall trampolines and climb the sky wall. Registration is $60 per camper. Campers will meet at Rock Springs Nature Center at 8am tomorrow morning and return at 4pm. Visit our website or give us a call for more information, but dont wait as we will close registration by 1pm today. https://maconcountyconservation.org/nature-camps-for-kids/x-treme-camp/ 📸 via enjoyillinois.com
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Macon County Conservation District
2 days ago
Macon County Conservation District

Wind down your weekend with a musical performance by The Tangents! The concert begins at 7pm tonight and will be located at Rock Springs Conservation Area next to the Information Shelter (near the main parking lot.) Bring a lawn chair and grab a snack from our concession stand, and enjoy the show!

The Rock Springs Summer Concert Series is generously sponsored by Stifel Investment Services. ... See MoreSee Less

Wind down your weekend with a musical performance by The Tangents! The concert begins at 7pm tonight and will be located at Rock Springs Conservation Area next to the Information Shelter (near the main parking lot.) Bring a lawn chair and grab a snack from our concession stand, and enjoy the show! The Rock Springs Summer Concert Series is generously sponsored by Stifel Investment Services.
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Great performance!

We enjoyed the concert. Thank you.

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Macon County Conservation District
3 days ago
Macon County Conservation District

Pictured is Ethan, our Natural Resources Supervisor, welcoming some mining bees to our native garden and their new home! How are you celebrating #NationalPollinatorWeek? ... See MoreSee Less

Pictured is Ethan, our Natural Resources Supervisor, welcoming some mining bees to our native garden and their new home! How are you celebrating #NationalPollinatorWeek?Image attachmentImage attachment+3Image attachment
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Ethan, you are much braver person than I am.

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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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