The grandeur of famous natural wonders, such as Yosemite, Yellowstone, and the Grand Canyon, inspires calls for preservation and protection. Still, there are other places; small, fragile, secluded places; which deserve the same protection: prairies, forests, meadows, beaches, creeks, and caves. The Natural Areas Movement was started by Illinoisan George Fell who, with other ecologists, created The Nature Conservancy 

Kevin Rohling, University of Illinois Extension and Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences forestry research technician, will describe many of the natural areas found in Shawnee National Forest in a free online webinar beginning at 10 a.m. May 4. 

Explore the brief history of the Natural Areas Movement in Illinois and across the country and special designations found within the Shawnee National Forest. Dive deep into unique sites, including your best options for visiting, parking, and trail locations. The webinar will include wildlife, plants, and cultural features one may find while exploring the sites.

For a list of upcoming Illinois Extension webinars on a variety of topics, visit our Digital Webinars and Trainings website.

University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in programming, contact the presenter. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting your needs.

Source: Christopher Evans, Dixon Spring Agricultural Center
University of Illinois Extension Forestry and Research Specialist
Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences