Winter in the Shawnee National Forest can be magical. The trees, for the most part, have lost their leaves offering majestic scenic views. If planning a visit, or a short road trip, always be prepared. Plan ahead. Remember, depending where you go, GPS and internet service may be spotty. Bring a map. Find hiking and equestrian maps on our webstore at https://friends-of-the-shawnee.square.site.

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

Norm Wilmont passed away this last September. He was a member of the Friends of the Bayou and a longtime supporter of Turkey Bayou Campgrounds. Friends of the Shawnee National Forest founder Pat York shared her memories of Norm. 

“Norm was not much for bureaucracy, but he did what he needed to do to pursue what he loved. I first met Norm over the phone in 2011 or 2012 when he wanted to keep Turkey Bayou Campground open on the Shawnee National Forest. It had been on a list to close due to damage from the flood from 1993, high maintenance, investment needs and low revenue. I was the Recreation Program Manager and Norm called me to see if he and his friends could somehow keep it open. By the end of our first phone call, we made a connection swapping stories about our lives and families. He shared stories of his memorable camping trips at Turkey Bayou Campground and said he could help keep it open. We held several meetings at the “Bayou”, and he convinced us that it would be a good partnership. It was the first of many partnerships between “Friends of the Bayou” and the Forest Service, and eventually with the not-for-profit Friends of the Shawnee National Forest.   

Norm was an exceptionally kind man, showing pictures of his grandchildren, telling stories about his life, asking about your family, and showing his care and commitment to making life better. His legacy lives on through Friends of the Bayou and Turkey Bayou Campground. His kindness and his laughter live on in my heart. ”   

Partnering with four members of the United States Forest Service and a Friends of the Shawnee board member, they placed 10 checks and water bars along the first part of the trail leading up the hill from the parking lot. These will help with future erosion by slowing down and diverting water off the trail. Hats off to IOAC and the entire crew for a job well done.

Lodging was provided by Rim Rock Dogwood Cabins. If you know of a group that would like to come to the area to help with some stewardship around the forest, or if you know of a lodging facility that might be interested in accommodating such groups for free, please let us know at friendsoftheshawnee@gmail.com.

We hope you got out and enjoyed the Shawnee National Forest in 2022. Thanks to you, we’ve had a busy year.  Some of our most notable projects and collaborations include:

• Partnering with University of Illinois Extension and volunteers to remove over 3400 lbs. of trash at Bell Smith Springs, Dutchman Lake, Grantsburg Swamp and Ripple Hollow which included removal of 2042 lbs. of trash in one day at Ripple Hollow.
• Celebrating National Public Lands Day partnering with the River to River Trail Society and Shawnee Saunterers hiking group members to remove nearly 350 pounds of trash at Garden of the Gods and Pounds Hollow.  
• Removing close to five acres of nonnative invasive autumn olive trees along the drive to Garden of the Gods. This was a joint collaboration with The Friends of the Shawnee National Forest, along with the United States Forest Service, the Nature Conservancy, River to River Cooperative Weed Management, University of Illinois Extension, and Shawnee Resource Conservation and Development, and other volunteers. 

• Creation of an Adopt-a-Trail program where civic groups, church groups, scouting organizations and others can offer minimal trail stewardship and maintenance, as well as alert the USFS of trail conditions. 
• Host 15-20 people from the University of Boston in March for a full week of stewardship projects in the Shawnee National Forest.
• Continuation of more nonnative invasive species (NNIS) removal along the road leading to the Observation Trail at Garden of the Gods and other locations. 
• The Friends of the Shawnee National Forest, the Shawnee Mountain Bike Association and the U.S. Forest Service have entered into a cost share agreement to upgrade 16 miles of currently designated trails between Johnson Creek and the Crisenberry Dam at Kinkaid Lake. The initial groundwork will take place this winter. 
• A partnership between the USFS, Friends of the Shawnee National Forest and the Shawnee Mountain Bike Association is expected to be approved and funded for the Cedar Lake Trail Remediation Project resulting in five miles of trail reconstruction on this highly trafficked trail system. 

Photo by Ray Bieri

The Friends of the Shawnee National Forest works with the US Forest Service and others to keep the Shawnee beautiful.

We could use your help. Consider becoming a volunteer. Email us at volunteer@shawneefriends.org