Friends Of The Shawnee National Forest

Programs: Since inception, the friends of the shawnee national forest (fsnf) have worked to build and promote stewardship and environmental education opportunities in and around the shawnee national forest in southern illinois. Fsnf work to expand community connections and partnerships with public, private and government agencies with similar goals and values while promoting and fostering volunteer activities and events focusing on responsible and sustainable outdoor recreation, environmental and cultural education. The fsnf promotes and manages the retail sales of shawnee national forest products such as clothing, trail maps, other outdoor gear and trail guides in agreement with the partnership of the u. S. Forest service. We have been operating sales as well as handling registration and sponsorship for u. S. Forest service education workshops and events. The friends' have participated in national public lands day events, martin luther king jr. Day events, and others annually and will continue this relationship in the future. Other partnerships include local school and after-school programs as well as summer camps at which fsnf can give hands-on outdoor education to students in the local communities. Volunteers can travel to bring programs to the school locations for school-wide or classroom projects such as species identification, nature arts and crafts, outdoor recreation skills and preparedness among others. Fsnf partners with southern illinois university carbondale to promote and assist in sponsoring outdoor events such as the student summit, and family fun day. We are also currently hosting a series of research lectures, free to the public on a monthly basis to better inform the communities of local and innovative knowledge regarding their own backyard. In 2016, fsnf participated in over 15 free conservation education programs that partnered with different groups within the community reaching no less than 1000 children and their parents. Many of these events were held directly on the shawnee national forest. Fsnf partnered with the vested interest in k9's inc. And armor express to present a ballistic vest to our k9 law enforcement officer, samio, in the shawnee national forest. Part of the mission of fsnf also includes working with local businesses and organizations. In 2016 fsnf utilized many local businesses and partnered with other area agencies and non-profit organizations to reach more of the community in southern illinois and to support the local economy.