The transportation of invasive insects & diseases through firewood is destroying trees in urban, suburban & forest areas. See what you can do.
Research
Natural Areas Program
Research Natural Areas (RNAs) are established by the USDA Forest Service
as representative examples of minimally disturbed natural ecosystems.
The Shawnee National Forest is located at the junction of five physiographic regions and at the edge of the glaciated area, which results in a wide diversity of flora and fauna, and unique geologic features. The Forest provides some of the largest and most diverse blocks of mature hardwood forest, forest interior habitat, and public openland habitats in Illinois. The Shawnee National Forest also contains the most acreage of Natural Areas in the State of Illinois, providing remnants of 25 rare natural communities in 80 Natural Areas. The Forest provides habitat for aquatic and terrestrial threatened, endangered and sensitive species, and provides an abundance of diverse habitat for game and non-game species. The Oakwood Bottoms Greentree Reservoir and Inahgeh lands provide important wetland habitats for migrating waterfowl in the Mississippi flyway. The Forest provides mature upland oak-hickory and bottomland hardwood forests that can be managed on a sustainable basis, providing wildlife habitat and the potential for timber products. The Forest includes large acreages of non-native southern pine plantations that add some scenic diversity to the landscape
All Things Equestrian - For information related to equestrian use on the forest, including trails, maps, recreation opportunity guides, outfitter/guide information, environmental assessments on related projects, permitted horse camps, etc., click here. Trails Hotline - 618-658-1312
Volunteer with the Shawnee National Forest and help to make a difference within your community and on your public lands!
Volunteers with many different skills are needed to assist with the various programs on the Shawnee National Forest. Volunteer opportunities vary in length, type of skill required, and even where they are located (outside on the trails or in the office at a desk). >>>Read More
VolunteerMatch is a leader in the nonprofit world dedicated to helping everyone find a great place to volunteer. The organization offers a variety of online services to support a community of nonprofit, volunteer and business leaders committed to civic engagement. Our popular service welcomes millions of visitors a year and has become the preferred internet recruiting tool for more than 50,000 nonprofit organizations. Just type in the zip code to check out local volunteer opportunities
**NewInteractive Map**
of Recreational Sites Just Click on Your Area of Interest!
If attempting to contact our staff, please be aware that due to virus protection reasons, the Forest Service will block all e-mails at the SMTP mail gateway that are over a certain size or that contain certain attachment types. To see a list of attachment types that may cause e-mails to be blocked, as well as other e-mail limitations, click here.
**Due to server instability, service to certain webpages may be impacted. Sorry for any inconvenience.**
Climate Change, Kids, and Forests: What's the Connection?
"Since being named Chief in January, I have spent time in Washington and have traveled around the country and have talked to many different people concerned in one way or another about forests. I have been struck by their hopes and fears, and three themes in particular have stood out. I will discuss these themes one by one and show how they are connected."
OAKWOOD BOTTOMS GREENTREE RESERVOIR UPDATE
Harrisburg, IL, October 15, 2009 - Mississippi Bluffs District Ranger Dan Lentz announces that the annual flooding of Oakwood Bottoms Greentree Reservoir commenced during the week of October 5, 2009.
SHAWNEENATIONAL FOREST RELEASES MOTOR VEHICLE USE MAP Harrisburg, IL, March 23, 2009 – Today Forest Supervisor Allen Nicholas announced the publication and release of the Motor Vehicle Use Map for the Shawnee National Forest. >>>Read More - Maps - Hidden Springs Ranger District - Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District
RECREATION FEE INCREASES Harrisburg, IL, March 2, 2009 - Shawnee National Forest Supervisor, Allen Nicholas, announces an increase of fees for five Forest campgrounds. This increase will become effective on March 15, 2009. >>>Read More
Order of the Forest Supervisor, Restriction of Horses or Other Saddle or Pack Animals to Designated and Interim Trails in the Eagle Creek, Big Grand Pierre Creek, Lusk Creek and Upper Bay Creek Watersheds on the Shawnee National Forest
(Please allow for download time when viewing maps).
DESIGNATED TRAIL USE ONLY IN FOUR WATERSHEDS Harrisburg, IL, January 22, 2007 –Today Forest Supervisor Allen Nicholas announced equestrian use will be limited to designated trails in the Eagle Creek, Big Grande Pierre, Lusk Creek and Upper Bay Creek watersheds in Gallatin, Hardin, Johnson, Pope and Saline counties of the Hidden Springs Ranger District.
Research
Natural Areas Program
Research Natural Areas (RNAs) are established by the USDA Forest Service as
representative examples of minimally disturbed natural ecosystems.
Safety
Alerts, Fires, Advisories, Closures, and Restrictions
The
Shawnee National Forest is located in southern Illinois and is divided into two Ranger Districts Hidden
Springs -
located in Vienna and Mississippi
Bluffs - located in Jonesboro .
News
Volunteer Vibe - Volume 1 Issue 3 - a quarterly newsletter made for the Shawnee Volunteers. Each newsletter will contain a feature trail, safety tips, Special Thanks section and Volunteer Opportunities. Also what is going on in and around the forest since the last newsletter. >>>Read More
Southern Illinois WeedWatch Project Needs Your Help! Invasive plant species
are invading our beautiful
natural areas. They are
aggressively overtaking or
displacing native species
causing a drastic reduction in
our native biodiversity and
natural beauty. >>>Read More
Trails Maintenance Reports
The Trails Designation Project, Phase 1, Final Environmental Impact Statement presents an analysis of four alternatives for designating, constructing and maintaining a trail system within four watersheds on The Shawnee National Forest.
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