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Bluegrass Music Jam Rock Springs Nature Center,
Harriet and Norman Greenberg Auditorium
Sunday, October 9, 1-4pm
Sunday, November 13, 1-4pm
Sunday, December 11, 1-4pm
Volunteer Quarterly
Oct / Nov / Dec 2016
Macon County Conservation District
3939 Nearing Lane
Decatur, IL 62521
217-423-7708
www.maconcountyconservation.org
Dates to Remember Thank You Volunteers Jenny Garver - Volunteer Coordinator
Thank you for making a difference! We are working
through the 2015 volunteer survey to-do-list, currently
we are updating volunteer job descriptions for
opportunities located inside the nature center. We will
also be working on designing hats and visors for
volunteers this quarter. Let me know if you are
interested in this project or the finished product.
Thank you for turning in volunteer hours! From
January to August: 421 volunteers submitted over
8,200 hours. Some of the most active groups during
the last few months include: summer camp, vintage
base ball, and natural area restoration volunteers.
If you have yet to turn in your hours, it is not too late.
Submit your hours by mail, drop them off at the nature
center, or email them to me at
[email protected]. Tracking
hours is very important and can be used when the
Conservation District applies for grants and other
funding to support our conservation efforts.
Volunteer Holiday Party Rock Springs Nature Center, Auditorium
Thursday, December 8, 12pm
Celebrate the holidays at Rock Springs Nature
Center with fellow volunteers and staff. Holiday
Party invitations with more information will be
mailed in November. Until then, save the date!
(continued on page 2)
Volunteer Quarterly Meeting Rock Springs Nature Center, Pavilion 1
Friday, October 14, 11:30am-1pm
Join us for a cookout and hear the latest news on
educational programming, upgrades to the nature
center, restoration efforts, foundation projects,
and more. Dress for the weather; a warm lunch is
provided. RSVP by October 11.
Prairie Heritage Volunteer Meetings Rock Springs Nature Center
Thursday, October 13, 7pm
Thursday, November 10, 7pm
Prairie Heritage Volunteers fill many niches at
Homestead Prairie Farm from carpentry work to
costumed interpretation. Receive your monthly
update. Refreshments provided.
Rock Springs Dulcimer Club Rock Springs Nature Center,
East Conference Room
Saturdays, October 8 & 22, 10am
Saturdays, November 5 & 19, 10am
Saturdays, December 3 & 17, 10am
Volunteers in Action: Summer camp volunteers
helped campers have a safe and enjoyable summer.
Pictured above, Decatur Yacht Club members
volunteer their time to help Earth Adventures campers
learn about sailing on Lake Decatur.
Fall Harvest Festival &
Creepers of the Earth Trail Walk Rock Springs Conservation Area
Sunday, October 30, 1-4pm
Celebrate fall with free crafts, pumpkin rolls, and a
child-sized straw maze. Enjoy a guided “Creepers
of the Earth” trail walk to hear legends about
creatures of the forests, ponds, and prairies. For all
ages. Register online by Oct 28. $2/person for ages
6+, 5 and under free. Tour offered every half hour.
He Said Beer, She Said Wine
Governor Oglesby Mansion Dinner Decatur Club, 158 W. Prairie Ave.
Friday, October 14, 6pm
Taste delicious food and support the Oglesby
Mansion during this annual dinner fundraiser. Enjoy
a five-course dinner with both a beer and wine
accompaniment for each course. The theme for this
year’s event is “An Octoberfest Celebration.”
Tickets are $75/person. For more information or to
purchase tickets, contact Ron Evans at
217-864-2505. RSVP by October 5.
Dates to Remember (cont.)
Candlelight Tour Rock Springs Conservation Area,
Homestead Prairie Farm
Saturday, Nov 12, 6:30-8:30pm
Experience Homestead
Prairie Farm and 1860s
life by candlelight and
lamplight, led by tour
guides dressed in period
clothing. Refreshments
will be served. Free.
No registration required.
Christmas Tea Governor Oglesby Mansion, 421 W. William Street
Sunday, December 11, 2-4pm
Visit the elegant Governor
Oglesby Mansion to enjoy
a traditional Christmas
afternoon tea. This
historic home will be
decorated in its best décor
for the holidays by the
Garden Club of Decatur.
Cookies, tea, and punch will be served. $2 donation
requested. No reservations required.
History Comes Alive:
Lincoln’s First Illinois Home Governor Oglesby Mansion, 421 W. William Street
Saturday, November 5, 4pm
Guest speaker Mark Sorensen will talk about the
Lincoln Family moving to Macon County and living
at what is now Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park.
A reception will follow. Free. No reservations
required.
50th Anniversary Community Forum:
Making Decatur and Macon County a
Nature-Rich Community Millikin University’s Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Thursday, October 6, 3:30-5pm
Join us for this special panel discussion on how to
build a nature-rich community: one that tunes in to
the value of nature and utilizes it to strengthen our
community. The panel will consist of leaders in the
fields of education, health care, agriculture, and
natural resources including: Richard Louv; Paul
Marien, Macon County Conservation District;
Megan Baskerville, Macon County Soil & Water
Conservation District; Dr. Stephen Goetter, Decatur
Memorial Hospital; and Ed Moyer, Decatur Public
Schools. Moderated by Bruce Nims of Grow
Decatur. Free. No reservations required.
The Nature-Rich Life Millikin University’s
Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Thursday, October 6, 7:30pm
Richard Louv, co-founder and
Chairman Emeritus of the
Children and Nature Network
and best-selling author, will
speak on "The Nature-Rich Life." After coining the
term “nature-deficit disorder” in 2005 with his
groundbreaking book, Last Child in the Woods,
Louv has become an authority on connecting
children, adults, and communities to nature. He is a
journalist and author of nine books, including The
Nature Principle and his most recently published
book Vitamin N. A book signing will immediately
follow. Free. No reservations required.
Volunteer Opportunities
School Program Assistance
Help students have a
fun, educational
experience at
the conservation areas
this school year. As a
volunteer naturalist, you
can assist staff with
school programs or lead likes. We provide you with
training and opportunities to observe someone else
in action. For more information, contact Jenny
Garver (217-423-7708 or
Nature Center Greeter Rock Springs Nature Center, Information Desk
Information Desk Volunteers are an essential part of
the volunteer team. These volunteers greet the
public, answer simple questions, and assist staff with
projects. Training provided. For more information
or to sign up, contact Jenny Garver (217-423-7708
or [email protected]).
Fall Harvest Festival and
Creepers of the Earth Trail Walk Rock Springs Conservation Area,
Sunday, Oct 30, 1-4pm
Volunteers are needed to help in a variety of areas
during this annual
event. Volunteer
opportunities include
ticket table assistants,
storytellers, camp fire
supervisor, and more.
For more information,
or to sign up, contact
Jenny by October 20
(217-423-7708 or
Candlelight Tour Rock Springs
Conservation Area,
Homestead Prairie Farm
Saturday, November 12,
6:30-8:30pm
Help bring Homestead
Prairie Farm to life during
this fun evening event.
Volunteer opportunities include tour guides, trail
guides, and outdoor lantern tenders. For more
information, or to sign up, contact Brent (217-423-
7708 or [email protected]).
Seed Salvage Rock Springs Conservation Area,
Rodney T. Miller Wetland Parking
Saturday, October 15, 9am-12pm
Harvest native
wildflower seeds from
Rock Springs prairies
to help diversify the
plant species at other
sites. This light
intensity work
involves picking seed
from stalks and
walking through tall vegetation. No experience is
necessary. Dress for the weather, wear long pants
and comfortable, sturdy shoes. Lunch provided.
Meets at Rodney T. Miller Wetland parking lot.
Sign up by October 13 with Ethan Snively (217-423-
6796 or [email protected]).
Holiday Decorating Rock Springs Nature Center,
Tuesday, November 29, 10am-1pm
We are looking for
some jolly elves to
help decorate the
nature center for the
holidays. Volunteers
will assist in
decorating two
Christmas trees and
the area around the Information Desk. Lunch and
laughter will be provided. For more information, or
to sign up, contact Jenny by November 22 (217-423-
7708 or [email protected]).
Volunteer Fun & Learning
Photography Show & Tell Rock Springs Nature Center, East Conference Room
Tuesday, November 15, 1-2pm
Exploring nature and history through photography
is fun. We invite you to join us for a show and tell.
Bring in a few photographs that really speak to you
and learn a few photography tips. All experience
levels welcome. RSVP by November 11.
Snowflake Door Hanger Rock Springs Nature Center,
East Conference Room
Wednesday, December 21, 1-2pm
Is every snowflake unique?
How do they help plants
and animals survive?
Discover the value and mystery
of snowflakes while making a
decorative door hanger. Space
is limited. RSVP by December 15.
Collections What? Rock Springs Nature Center, Collections Room
Thursday, October 27, 1-2pm
We moved the
Collections Room in
August. Discover why
we have a collections
room, how items are
cared for, and see
special artifacts up close
during this behind the
scenes tour with
Historic Sites Intern,
Emily McInerney.
RSVP by October 24.
Volunteer Spotlight:
Phyllis Hunt Jeff Tish - Program Services Manager
“What should I do now? What do I like?” thought
Phyllis Hunt when she retired from the field of
health care and medicine several years ago. She
decided to pursue volunteer work that met her
interests in history and nature, and to give back to
the community. After
discovering the Macon
County Conservation
District, Phyllis signed
up to help. She
provides interpretation
at Homestead Prairie
Farm and helps staff the
front desk in Rock
Springs Nature Center
for over 18 years.
“I enjoy working with
people of all ages and
helping them understand
the value of history, including stories from the
past, the artifacts, and the people,” says Phyllis.
Phyllis has also volunteered at the Oglesby
Mansion for the past 10 years. Phyllis has
portrayed Mrs. Emma Oglesby, Richard Oglesby’s
second wife. She had the pleasure of meeting
Elizabeth Keays Green one day as she volunteered
at the Mansion. Elizabeth was the great-
granddaughter of Emma Gillette Oglesby.
Phyllis really enjoys meeting people, stimulating
their curiosity, and inspiring them to want to learn
more as they live their lives.
She truly hopes that the Macon County
Conservation District will continue to grow with a
strong, involved, and dedicated staff and
volunteers. She also hopes that the leadership of
the District will foster a strong mission of
education and restoration that will benefit
generations to come.
Thank you, Phyllis, for all of your hard work and
dedication. We appreciate having you as part of
our volunteer team!
Phyllis Hunt
Program Services Update Richie Wolf - Nature Center Manager
Time has come to say farewell to the summer.
Now the woods, prairies, and wetlands give way
for the preparation of winter. Summer camps had
record turnouts, especially Earth Adventures.
Thank you for all of your volunteer efforts,
supplementing the camps with your expertise and
time. Many of you loaned your knowledge and
made camp special for so many youth along the
way. This fall, a wide variety of opportunities are
awaiting for those of you interested in helping the
District round out our special 50th anniversary
year. Contact Jenny and let her know if you’re
available to assist in any way.
We have several trips coming up to special places
of interest. The Transit van trips have proved to be
popular and we are offering to drive you to
Dickson Mounds on October 9, the Museum of
Science and Industry on November 20, and
Cahokia Mounds on November 27. As volunteers,
you receive a special discount on these day trips.
Consider signing up and leave the traffic hassles to
us. Remember to sign up fast as these seats fill
quickly. In closing, I hope you enjoy being part of
the District and all we offer. Find time to hike all
of the sites and discover what makes them special
in this harvest season.
Operations Department Update Shane Ravellette - Operations Manager
Operations staff have been busy throughout the
summer. The unusually rainy summer caused the
grass to grow continuously.
As you may notice at the Nature Center, several
projects are wrapping up and should be completed
very soon. We still have a handful more projects
this fall. We will be looking at some work near
the entrances to Rock Springs and we will also
explore some improvements to the trail signs and
maps. At Friends Creek, we will be exploring
some changes to the entry and access ramp at
Bethel School House.
The Natural Resource Department’s fall burn
season will we be here soon. Prescribed burns
make sure the hard work of restoration continues
and our mature prairies and savannas remain
strong and healthy. You may have also noticed
that the Natural Resource crew has cleared some
invasive and exotic shrubs and plants near the
Nature Center. All of this is in an effort to make
our upland forest stronger, more appealing and
better suited for woodland animals such as deer
and turkey. If you would like to volunteer to help
with burning or other restoration efforts, please
contact Jenny or Ethan.
Remembering Our Volunteers
Shirley Oseland (June 1935 – July 2016)
Pat Quintenz (April 1927 – August 2016)
Marge Wollrab (February 1927 - September 2016)
Welcome New Volunteers!
Bluebird Monitor - Carol Josefson
Special Events - Mikali Daniels,
Mikayla Mendenhall, and Toni Surgeon
Trail Monitor - Alan Perry
Vintage Base Ball - Andrea Brice, Robert Brice,
Chuck Olsen, Nancy Olsen, and
Mackinzie Haggard
Tidbits of Information
Happy 50th Anniversary to the Macon County
Conservation District. On November 8, 1966 the
Conservation District was voted into existence
by the citizens of Macon County.
Farewell and best wishes to Mikayla Mendenhall
(Natural and Cultural History Interpreter) and
Erick Baumberger (Natural Resources Tech).
Mikayla has taken a position at Millikin
University and Erick has taken a position with
the Springfield Fire Department.
Don’t forget! We created a volunteer Facebook
group in December 2015 and we would love for
you to join us. Type “MCCD Volunteers” into
the Facebook search box to find and join. Only
members of the MCCD Volunteers group can see
the posts, events, and join in the discussion.
