Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois covers 280,000 acres and was designated for reforestation and conservation in 1939. It contains diverse geology, wildlife, and recreation areas.
Shawnee National Forest is a park in southern Illinois. It has been operated by the US federal government since 1939. The area is located in the Shawnee and Ozark Hills and covers 280,000 acres (1133 sq km) of land. It is divided into two major ranger districts, known as Hidden Springs and Mississippi Bluffs.
Prior to its creation, much of the land in Shawnee National Forest had been used as farmland. However, erosion of the surrounding topography had made the land difficult to farm. Much of the wildlife had also been depleted due to human interaction. The land was also mined for coal in many places, and farmers sold timber from the area for extra income. Eventually, many people in and around Illinois became interested in reforesting the area, preventing further erosion.
After repeated attempts by area officials, the land was eventually sold to the federal government for reforestation and conservation purposes. In September 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt designated this land for Shawnee National Forest. Soon thereafter, the primary goals for the park became the replanting of trees by the Civilian Conservation Corps, along with the natural repopulation of the area’s wildlife. Since then, many local and national organizations have existed with the goal of preserving the Shawnee National Forest area.
The geology of the park is quite diverse, with a wide range of high and low areas that have not been leveled by glaciers. They contain wetlands, rocky areas, lakes, rivers and more. The formation of the region has also led to the presence of a wide variety of mineral resources throughout the territory. Historically, it has been used for thousands of years by Native Americans. The region’s surrounding waterways were also very popular with early explorers and settlers.
The plant and animal wildlife of Shawnee National Forest is even more diverse than the topography. The land is home to more than 500 species of wildlife and is teeming with various wildflowers, making it a popular destination for nature lovers. Due to reforestation efforts, most of the area is covered in a variety of oak and hickory forest.
Shawnee National Forest also contains many areas and activities intended to attract visitors. There are seven major recreation areas offering opportunities for camping, fishing, hiking and more. Popular spots in the forest include Little Grand Canyon, Cedar Lake, and Hicks Dome.
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