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.
Shawnee National Forest
50 Hwy. 145 South
Harrisburg, IL 62946 Phone: 618-253-7114 or 1-800-MY-WOODS
(699-6637) TTY: 618-253-1070 (TTY users may also use the toll-free number for the Illinois Relay Service: 1-800-526-0844) FAX: (618) 253-1060
The Shawnee is highly valued by the residents of Illinois and surrounding states.
Although Illinois is the nation's 4th most populous state, and 24th largest in
size, it ranks 48th in the amount of public land set aside. The unique character
of the landscape and abundant natural wonders make the Forest an oasis in the
midst of intensive agricultural lands, and a destination vacation point for many
city dwellers. This diversity invites a multitude of users seeking escape, renewal,
physical challenges, and relaxation in an outdoor environment. About one third
of the acreage (277,506 acres) within the forest and existing purchase unit boundaries
is national forest system land. In spite of this low percentage, the Forest contains
seven Congressionally-designated Wilderness Areas, one additional area recommended
for wilderness study, six candidate Wild and Scenic Rivers, four National Natural
Landmarks, 10 Research Natural Areas, and more than 80 other designated Natural
Areas considered important for botanical, ecological, geological or zoological
reasons. As the single largest publicly owned body of land in the state, the
national forest is extremely important in meeting the outdoor recreation demands
of citizens of the region. The Forest is within a day's drive (350 miles) of
more than 45 million people, or 17% of the U.S. population. (U.S. Census Bureau,
7-1-97 estimate)
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
WHOA!!Shawnee Back Country Horsemen
will be presenting a basic
Stock Packing Seminar>>>Read More
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
For more volunteer information including a Master Trail Steward Trail Training Course - course offered through Shawnee Community College and sponsored by Shawnee National Forest and U of I Extension, please see our Volunteering page.
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!
Trying to Contact Us?
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."
Li'l Smokey - On Thursday, July 17, Adam Deem, a forester with Cal Fire's California Northern Region Office, found and rescued a 15-lb bear cub who had been injured in the Moon Fire.. On Friday, the cub, nicknamed "Li'l Smokey" by Deem, arrived at LTWC for care. >>>Read More
Current Items of Interest
Buttermilk Hill - Talbott Hollow Blowdown Project Environmental Assessment
The Forest Service has prepared this environmental assessment in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 and other relevant federal and state laws and regulations. This assessment discloses the direct, indirect and cumulative environmental effects that would result from the proposed action and a no action alternative. >>>Read More
HIDDEN SPRINGS VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Harrisburg, IL, December 12, 2008 - The Hidden Springs Ranger District of the Shawnee National Forest will expand their list of volunteer opportunities to include an Adopt-a-Trail program. >>>Read More
2008: The Year in Review
What a year! From the ice storms of
winter to the floodwaters of summer
and all the events and partnerships
we have worked on in between, it hasbeen an eventful year.
Message from Shawnee National Forest to Hunters and Other Visitors
Harrisburg, IL, November 14, 2008 - In light of hunting season, the Forest Service reminds all visitors, both hunters and non-hunters, about appropriate use of firewood and deer stands. >>>Read More
The first issue of Connect US, a biannual publication dedicated to the recreational opportunities and land management activities on federal lands in Southern Illinois, is produced and designed by the Shawnee Community College for the U. S. Forest Service, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Forest Service Chief's Award Presented toWilderness Trail Crew
Harrisburg, IL, October 30, 2008 - The Shawnee National Forest, Hidden Springs Ranger District Wilderness Trail Crew was chosen as recipients of the Traditional Skills and Minimum Tool Leadership Forest Service Chief’s Award for work done in the Lusk Creek Wilderness. >>>Read More
Oakwood Bottoms Greentree Reservoir Update
Harrisburg, IL, October 28, 2008 - Mississippi Bluffs District Ranger Dan Lentz announces that part of the traditionally flooded units in the Oakwood Bottoms Greentree Reservoir will not be flooded for the upcoming waterfowl hunting season. >>>Read More
Johnson Creek Road Reopened
Harrisburg, IL, October 28, 2008 - Mississippi Bluffs District Ranger Dan Lentz announces the re-opening of Forest Road #724 into Johnson Creek Recreation Area on Kinkaid Lake in Jackson County, Illinois. >>>Read More
The Shawnee Quarterly The Shawnee National Forest Newsletter with the
Schedule of Proposed Actions
October 2008
Shawnee National Forest Honors Volunteers Harrisburg, IL, October 7, 2008 – Forest Supervisor, Allen Nicholas, is announcing that fiveindividuals have been awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award (Award), a prestigious national honor offered in recognition of volunteer service. >>> Read More
Area Trails Impacted by Remnants of Hurrican Ike Harrisburg, IL, October 3, 2008 – The Shawnee National Forest Mississippi Bluffs District Ranger is notifying visitors that some of the Forest’s most popular trails sustained major damage as the remnants of Hurricane Ike roared through southern Illinois in September. >>>Read More
ONE LOOP OF POUNDS HOLLOW CAMPGROUD AND BEACH ARE RE-OPENED Harrisburg, IL, September 19, 2008 – The Hidden Springs District Ranger would like to announce the re-opening of the Pounds Hollow beach and one loop of the Pine Ridge Campground. >>>Read More
PRESCRIBED BURNS PLANNED ON SHAWNEE NATIONAL FORESTS
Harrisburg, IL, September 17, 2008 – The Shawnee National Forest Supervisor is announcing 34 planned prescribed burns in the next fiscal year. Operations are tentatively scheduled to begin in September and continue through April 2009. >>>Read More
Shawnee National Forest Hosts Americorp Team During Fall 2008
Harrisburg, IL, September 9, 2008 – The Shawnee National Forest is once again hosting an AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) Team from the Denver, Colorado campus this year. >>>Read More
Eastern Region Recreation Resource Advisory Committee Fall Meeting Announced
HARRISBURG, IL, September 8, 2008 – The Forest Service Eastern Region Recreation Resource Advisory Committee (Recreation RAC) will meet in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Wednesday, October 8, 2008. >>>Read More
August 26, 2008 - The water pump at the Garden of the Gods Campground is broke. Water will not be available in that area until repairs are completed.
RECREATION FEE PROPOSAL
Harrisburg, IL, August 26, 2008 - Shawnee National Forest Supervisor, Allen Nicholas, announced, based on several months of public comment, a final recreation fee proposal will be submitted for consideration. >>>Read More
Harrisburg, IL, August 6, 2008 - Applicants Sought for Recreation Resource Advisory Committee. The US Forest Service, Eastern Region, is seeking nominations to fill 6 positions on the 11 member Eastern Region Recreation Resource Advisory Committee (Recreation RAC). >>>Read More
August 27, 2008 - Johnson Creek Campground at Kinkaid Lake is walk-in only. Road is closed due to weather related damage. No water available in day-use area.
2007 Trails Monitoring Report - In accordance with the Trails Designation Project, Phase One, Record of Decision, monitoring of the project is required.
Johnson Creek Campground Access Road Temporarily Closed - Harrisburg, IL, May 16, 2008 – The Mississippi Bluffs District Ranger has closed the Johnson Creek Campground access road to all vehicular traffic. >>>Read More
Shawnee National Forest Fee Proposal
Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA)
Responses to Public Comment >>>Read More
From the Forest Supervisor We have entered another spring on the beautiful Shawnee National Forest. It is time to put winter and its ice storms behind us and to start looking for opportunities to get out in the nice spring weather. I would encourage each of you to either contact one of our offices or access our website at www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/shawnee and investigate recreation opportunities on the Forest.
To aid those of you who are interested in horseback riding in the Lusk Creek, Big Grand Pierre Creek, Eagle Creek and Upper Bay Creek watersheds, our 2008 Trails Designation Project Interim Trails Maps are now available. >>>Read More
The Hidden Springs Ranger Station's Elizabethtown Office closed in October 2007. Main Street Elizabethtown, in Hardin County, Illinois is now providing information and brochures regarding the Shawnee National Forest. They are in the Old Heritage Shop on First Street (Hwy 146) in Elizabethtown, Illinois, and their hours are 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. They can be reached by phone at 618-287-4333.
For Burn permits and firewood permits please contact: Hidden Springs Ranger District 602 N. First Street Route 45 North
Vienna, Illinois 62995
(618) 658-2111
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 .
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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