September 14, 2025 – The Macon County Conservation District celebrated the completion of the much-anticipated Indoor-Outdoor Classroom, with a Grand Opening celebration on Friday.
This new multi-functional space was designed to connect people with nature with interactive elements for kits, natural seating and gathering areas created from the natural timber cut for the project, musical instrument sculptures and a water feature. The indoor outdoor space also has a classroom and full functioning kitchen.
The building was made possible thorugh a grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
“The whole reason for this is to get people out and learn more about our natural resources,” said Jerry Culp, Director of the Macon County Conservation District. We started this project about four years ago with the conceptual plans. Then we were able to apply for the grant through the INDR almost immediately after we finished our architectural plans. Moving staff around was probably our biggest challenge to make this work. All of the planning and the staff involvement and their suggestions are seen in all of the details,” Culp added.
