Winter, hopefully, is in the rear view mirror. Here’s hoping you get out and explore the many stunning places in the Shawnee National Forest. Don’t forget to show your support and appreciation for the USFS staff for all their hard work at the offices in Harrisburg, Vienna and Jonesboro. 

Find out more information about the Shawnee National Forest at https://www.fs.usda.gov/shawnee.

Our 4th annual Shawnee Saturday, March 1 was a success with $1399 in online donations and onsite registrations. It was cold and windy, but around two dozen plungers braved the freezing water at Pounds Hollow Recreation Area. . 

Other activities included a hike over to Rim Rock and live music from John West. A special thanks to Taylor Made Food Company for providing its food truck.

A good time was had by all. See you all next year for our 5th annual Shawnee Plunge scheduled for Saturday, March 7. 

The Iron Furnace in Hardin County was the jumping-off point where approximately 1964 lbs. was removed by volunteers from Friends of the Shawnee, University of Illinois Extension- Alexander, Johnson, Massac, Pulaski, and Union (AJMPU), and the public on Friday, March 7. The 13 volunteers picked up 25 tires, four tube TV’s, two mattresses, a box spring and couch, two recliners, one toilet and dozens of bags of trash in just under two hours.

If you would like to join this team for a day of making the Shawnee National Forest safer, or want to participate throughout the spring Trash Blast’ season, please sign up today at go.illinois.edu/TrashBlaster

Next stop is Bean Ridge, Friday, May 2 in Alexander County

Garlic mustard is an invasive species found throughout trails and wilderness areas on the Shawnee and elsewhere. Please help us remove it.  Please wear long pants and close-toed shoes. Bring some work gloves, water and a snack. The pull will be followed by a guided hike led by USFS botanist Nick Seaton. 

Register at go.illinois.edu/GMPull. 

In 2023 the Friends of the Shawnee National Forest and Shawnee Mountain Bike Association teamed up to design and layout the first phase of trail reroutes around Kinkaid Lake.  FY 2022, 2023, and 2024 funding was received through the Legacy Roads and Trails program to design, plan, and implement this project.  In January of 2024 the Shawnee National Forest signed a decision to add biking as a use to the current hiking/equestrian designation and to improve the condition of the Kinkaid Lake Trail System.

2024 saw the completion of the first phase of a remodel of existing trails along the west side of Kinkaid Lake. Some rerouting close to the shore was done. In all, approximately 11 miles was completed stretching from the Buttermilk Hill Picnic Area north to the Hidden Cove area. 

The photos shown are near the Buttermilk Hill area. expect a guided hike in that area very soon. 

This is where we live
Consider becoming a new Member of the Friends of the Shawnee National Forest or renew your membership.

Feel free to tell a friend. 

All members receive:

• Our quarterly e-newsletter.
• Emails inviting them to stewardship events such as trash blasts and trail building.
• The satisfaction of knowing they are supporting the Friends’ mission in promoting land stewardship, environmental education, and responsible outdoor recreation in the Shawnee National Forest.

Membership Levels

Sapling – $25
New Sapling Members receive a Left it Better decal. 
Redbud – $40
New Redbud Members receive a T-shirt.
Dogwood – $75
New Dogwood Members receive a T-shirt and their choice of east side or west side trail maps of the Shawnee.
Elm – $100
New Elm Members receive a T-shirt, their choice of east side or west side trail maps and annual recognition in our e-newsletter.

Visit https://www.joinit.org/o/friends-of-the-shawnee-national-forest

or send to:
          Friends of the Shawnee National Forest
          P.O. Box 612 Carbondale, IL 62903

As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, membership and donations are tax deductible.