The Macon County Conservation District received a $870,750 grant from the Park and Recreational Facility Construction Act grant program or PARC.  This will be used for the construction of a new indoor-outdoor classroom on the lower level of the Rock Springs Nature Center.  

Only 13 organizations were chosen to receive funds from this $28 million grant program, administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.  The Macon County Conservation District and Decatur Park District were the only recipients in Central Illinois to receive funds from this grant. 

Executive Director Jerry Culp says that this is a real unique opportunity.  The plan is to construct an indoor-outdoor learning center that will provide a smooth transition between the two spaces allowing classes to go from the indoor portion of their lesson to the outdoor portion seamlessly. 

The indoor-outdoor classroom project will focus on increasing the programming space at the Rock Springs Nature Center by reconstructing the lower level to add additional program facilities and structures.  The extra space will provide a connection between the indoor and outdoor environments to encourage environmental education.

Marketing Specialist Ashton Nunn is excited about the project and says it will create opportunities to be able to teach even more children.  She says the hope is that it will spark the love of nature for local area children and maybe they will work in the place that started it for them. 

The proposed plan is to start the architectural and engineering for the project this fall and have it completed and ready to bid in early winter.  The bidding process is scheduled to be completed by late winter of 2024 and contractors on board by the first part of spring.  The construction phase of the project is estimated to take 9-12 months with the final closeout of the project happening in late spring to early summer of 2025.