Good to Know
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you’ve wondered about the Friends, membership, volunteering, and visiting the forest.
We’re a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit founded in 2010, dedicated to promoting responsible outdoor recreation, tourism, environmental education, and land stewardship on the Shawnee National Forest. We work closely with the U.S. Forest Service as an official Interpretive Association.
Joining takes about a minute through our online membership portal. Memberships are annual and every level includes our quarterly newsletter and invitations to member events. Join or renew here.
No — volunteering is completely free. We provide all tools, equipment, personal protective equipment, and supplies. At times we can even offer benefits to volunteers, including lodging and merchandise. Sign up here.
Directly back to the forest: trash blasts and clean-up gear, trail maps and signage, Master Naturalist scholarships, education programs, and events like the Kid’s Fishing Derby. As a volunteer-powered nonprofit, overhead stays small.
Yes! At approximately 286,000 acres, it’s the single largest publicly owned body of land in the state — with seven designated Wilderness Areas, two National Scenic Byways, and eighty designated Natural Areas.
Our signature cold-water fundraiser, held every March at Pounds Hollow Recreation Area since 2022. Brave the water (or cheer from shore) to support forest stewardship. Watch the events page for the next one.
Forest Headquarters in Harrisburg can be reached at 618-253-7114, or find district office info on our contact page. For trail conditions and alerts, visit the official USFS Shawnee site.
Absolutely — businesses can join as members (like our Ash Member, Thrive of Metropolis), sponsor events, or organize group volunteer days. Reach out and we’ll find the right fit.