Friends of the Shawnee National Forest

06/17/2026

Thank you, Vincent, not just for what you as an ambassador to the U.S. Forest Service - Shawnee National Forest, but for the kids “in the classrooms” across Southern Ilinois! 🌳

Educators - feel free to contact Vincent about a really fun classroom experience in your schools.

06/13/2026

Friends of the Shawnee National Forest merch booth set up at the Garden of the Gods Observation Trail, today, Saturday June 13th. Come check out our new Smokey 🐻 goods, while they last.

06/13/2026

It's National Get Outdoors Day! What better way to celebrate than with a family-friendly scavenger hunt through the Shawnee National Forest! 🔎🌳

You're invited to hike four designated trails throughout the forest, where you'll encounter Woodsy Owl along the way. At each location, complete a “Call to Action” activity and capture some photo evidence. 📸

The prize for completing all challenges is one night of FREE camping at any campground in the Shawnee National Forest, limited to one per family.

Lace up your shoes, charge your camera, and 𝗚𝗘𝗧 𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗗𝗢𝗢𝗥𝗦 𝗧𝗢𝗗𝗔𝗬! Learn more by visiting: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/shawnee/events/woodsy-owls-photo-scavenger-hunt

06/12/2026

Thank you for your gift supporting scholarship endeavors with the Forestry At Southern Illinois University and curriculum! You are certainly appreciated with this very generous gift! 🌳🌳

At 14,130 feet atop Mount Blue Sky in Colorado, SIU celebrated the highest-elevation gift presentation in university history.

When SIU alumnus Lee Barkow was unable to travel to campus, he had one special request: he wanted the presentation of his gift to take place at the highest altitude possible. So, we took SIU to him.

Lee established the $25,000 Lee and Colleen Barkow Scholarship Endowment to support students pursuing degrees in Forestry and Horticulture, two fields that have shaped his own journey.

A proud Saluki, Lee earned his undergraduate degree in forestry before completing a master’s degree in Plant and Soil Science. He also served as the graduate assistant overseeing greenhouse operations at SIU. After being drafted into the military and serving his country, he went on to a career with the Bureau of Land Management.

We are grateful for Lee’s generosity and his commitment to helping future students pursue their educational goals. Thank you, Lee, for investing in the next generation of Salukis.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
SIU Alumni Association
SIU College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences
Forestry At Southern Illinois University

06/11/2026

Thank you from the Friends of the Shawnee National Forest for this post! Absolutely beautiful photography! 🌳🌳

06/10/2026

Southern Illinois was made for outdoor adventures. 🌲☀️

From hiking sandstone bluffs to paddling hidden waterways and cooling off at the lake, there’s no better time to explore everything our region has to offer. In honor of National Great Outdoors Month, we’re celebrating the places, trails, and small towns that make Southern Illinois unforgettable.

Read more in Volume 6 of NOW! Magazine.
📖 https://loom.ly/776PoyY

So much to do and see! What's your favorite Southern Illinois outdoor adventure?

06/09/2026

Thank you, everyone from the Friends of the Shawnee National Forest! 🌳

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Trash Blast | Dutchman Lake last Friday! Together, these passionate members of the public, Friends of the Shawnee National Forest, Master Naturalists, River to River Trail Society, and Thrive's Green Team lent a hand to care for the land before National Trails Day arrived.

06/08/2026

Thank you, U.S. Forest Service - Shawnee National Forest and Vincent Gonzales for all each of you do and are doing to promote great Forest learning and Stewardship from the Friends of the Shawnee National Forest! 🌳🌳