Ideas for Living Green in Macon County, Illinois

Nature has a lot of competition these days. Children are spending more time with smart phones, iPods, computers, and television—about seven hours daily, according to a new study by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

More screen time and fewer natural places to play, along with parents replacing kids’ outdoor free time with structured activities, is contributing to what author Richard Louv calls “Nature-Deficit Disorder.”

In his seminal 2005 book, “Last Child in the Woods,” Louv contends the rise in childhood obesity and emotional disorders is a result of the loss of childrens’ connection with nature, and children raised without an affinity to nature are less likely to advocate for it in the future.

Growing awareness of the divide between children and the outdoors has initiated a nationwide movement, known as No Child Left Inside. Now more than 50 million Americans – represented through businesses, educational and environmental groups, including the Macon County Conservation District – have formed the No Child Left Inside Coalition (NCLI) to alert Congress and the public to the need to devote more resources and attention to environmental education.

The Macon County Conservation District has been introducing children to nature for more than 40 years. With its prairies and savannahs, rivers and woodlands, the district is a great place to discover and reconnect with our natural world. And with its wide variety of programs, the District is committed to providing in depth environmental education for children and adults.

“Back in the 1960s, the people of this community recognized the importance of giving people an opportunity to be outdoors, to teach them about environmental science and the nature in their own backyards,” said Kathleen Merner, Macon County Conservation District’s Executive Director.

So cut screen time when you can, and provide your children with unstructured outdoor play. Take a hike with a District naturalist, or strike out on your own and let your child’s natural curiosity discover what creature is living under that rock or what tree those leaves have fallen from.

“You don’t have to travel far to go outdoors,” says Merner.

For more information about the NCLI Coalition, the No Child Left Inside Act, and how you can get involved, visit www.NCLICoalition.org.

See this story and more in the latest issue of the Prairie Islander, Macon County Conservation District's quarterly newsletter.

Now through October
Family Picnic
Plan a family picnic this month! Macon County’s Conservation Areas offer clean pavilions in beautiful settings. Call (217) 423-7708 to reserve one!

Now through October
Go Camping!
June is a great time for a campout! Friends Creek Conservation Area is a peaceful place to experience nature. Call 217/423-7708 to reserve a campsite.

Sun., July 4, 2 p.m.
“I Scream, You Scream…”
Come out to Homestead Prairie Farm at 2:00 pm on Sunday, July 4th where visitors can help make and sample an authentic ice cream recipe from an 1857 cookbook but churn it in a modern “green” way. For more information please visit or give us a call at 217-423-7708.

Sun., Aug. 29, 2 p.m.
Nature Art Workshop
You and your child will tap into your creative juices as we use charcoal to render the natural wonders around us. Dress in old clothes as we will have a lot of messy fun! Fee $5, all ages welcome.

Find more Macon County Conservation District events for the entire family on our Events page.

Incorporate some of our Green Tips into your daily life to care for the earth and reduce your impact on the earth's resources.