Durbin Applauds Senate Ag Committee Passage Of His Shawnee National Forest Conservation Act; Legislation To Protect More Than 13,000 Acres Of Shawnee National Forest
The bill would establish 12,700 acres of special management areas and 750 acres of wilderness in the Shawnee National Forest
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member Senate Agriculture Committee, applauded the Committee for advancing his Shawnee National Forest Conservation Act, legislation that would establish 12,700 acres of special management areas and 750 acres of wilderness in the Shawnee National Forest. Securing this designation for these acres would offer critical protections. Now that the bill has advanced out of the Agriculture Committee, it could now go to the Senate floor for a vote.
“The Shawnee National Forest welcomes thousands of visitors each year, who take advantage of the beautiful views and hiking trails. It’s critical that our natural areas are preserved to ensure that generations of Illinoisans can continue to enjoy all that Shawnee National Forest has to offer,” Durbin said. “The Shawnee National Forest Conservation Act would protect more than 13,000 acres of one of our state’s richest natural resources.”
“We thank Sen. Durbin and the Agriculture Committee for advancing the Shawnee National Forest Conservation Act of 2025,” said Howard Learner, ELPC’s Executive Director. “Protecting these wonderful areas in the Shawnee National Forest will go a long way to preserving some of the most remarkable landscapes, biodiversity, and water resources in Southern Illinois and create special places for hiking, camping, and wildlife.”
“These three areas are rich in biodiversity and among Illinois’ most pristine habitats, but they are not currently protected against logging or other commercial activities,” said Barbara McKasson, a leader with the Shawnee Group of the Sierra Club. “Senator Durbin’s proposal will ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy these high quality natural areas, and that they will continue to support a rich diversity of wildlife.”
The 12,700 acres of special management areas will be from the following areas: 2,953 acres from Camp Hutchins; 3,445 acres from Ripple Hollow; and 6,310 acres from Burke Branch. The 750 acres of wilderness will be in Camp Hutchins.
The Shawnee National Forest consists of 289,000 acres and its boundaries have been expanded three times since the U.S. Forest Service originally purchased the land in 1933. Roughly 10 percent, or about 30,000 acres, of the Shawnee National Forest is currently protected as wilderness.
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