Chamber of commerce welcomes Shawnee Forest supervisor

<p class="p1">The Union County Chamber of Commerce had its monthly meeting at the Main Street Center in Anna on Thursday, Dec. 3.</p><p class="p1">The chamber welcomed Allen Nicholas as guest speaker. Nicholas is supervisor of the Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois. The Shawnee is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.</p><p class="p1">The Shawnee National Forest covers some 285,000 acres. Parts of the forest are in Union County.</p><p class="p1">Nicholas explained about how, with grants, the Forest Service is able to restore and maintain habitat in Union County, which boasts a wide range of diverse natural resources. </p><p class="p1">He's also working with a Shawnee Parkway Study and a National Geographic geotourism website which features the Mississippi River.</p><p class="p1">Nicholas said that the Forest Service does a lot of work with Union County schools.</p><p class="p1">Nicholas emphasized that he wanted to start a dialogue with the community and let them know why they do things.</p><p class="p1">Several chamber members gave Nicholas suggestions on possible ways to improve the relationship between the community and the Forest Service.</p><p class="p1">One member suggested having a sign-in sheet at Lincoln Memorial Picnic Grounds in Jonesboro as a way to help keep track of who is visiting the area.</p><p class="p1">Another member asked about the possibility of ATV and dirt bike trails being established throughout the forest. Nicholas said he didn't see the development of such trails as a possibility in the near future.</p><p class="p1">The next Union County Chamber of Commerce meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 7. The meeting is set for noon at Union County Hospital in Anna.</p><p class="p2"> </p>

<p class="p1">Shawnee National Forest supervisor Allen Nicholas, standing, spoke to members of the Union County Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Dec. 3. </p>