Education

The Macon County Soil & Water Conservation District is actively involved in educating the public and students K-college regarding the conservation of the natural resources of Macon County. The following list provides an overview of our education program:

• Tours - Either in the Spring or Fall of each year, we hold a 1/2 day bus tour to highlight projects completed that protect water quality and quantity while enhancing wildlife habitat. We visit farms, urban developments, golf courses and water treatment plants. We close the tour with a lunch.

• Natural Resources Library - Our library includes educational videos, computer programs and games and technical resource information for K-adult on most environmental issues facing Macon County and Illinois. We also have available for review historic maps and historic and current research and studies on Sangamon River Watershed, Illinois River Watershed and the Mississippi Watershed. Library is open 8 a.m to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except on holidays.

• Workshops- Periodically and in partnership with other conservation agencies and groups, we will hold workshops for the general public and municipal officials. Topics include: sealing abandon wells, stream bank stabilization, landscape design to conserve wildlife habitat and reduce heating and cooling costs of homes and to increase the use of native trees, shrubs, prairie grasses and flowers. Other workshops focus on alternative forms of energy, cost share funding available to landowners, and smart growth development.

• Soil Survey Book- Produced by the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, This book is a must for homeowners, developers, and municipal planners. The book has aerials of all land in Macon County with soil information superimposed over it to educate landowners where floodplains exist, limitations for septic systems and best trees and shrubs to plant in which soil.

• Resource Review Newsletter- In partnership with Macon County U of I Extension and Farm Service Agency, our newsletter is published in January and July. It highlights many of the above programs while covering important announcements or articles from a variety of conservation agencies.