Place and Public Land Conflicts in the Shawnee Hills Karen Wolf Southern Illinois University Carbondale, [email protected]

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Place and Public Land Conflicts in the Shawnee Hills Karen Wolf Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Kwolf@Lib.Siu.Edu Southern Illinois University Carbondale OpenSIUC Dissertations Theses and Dissertations 5-1-2014 Blood, Mud, and Money: Place and Public Land Conflicts in the Shawnee Hills Karen Wolf Southern Illinois University Carbondale, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/dissertations Recommended Citation Wolf, Karen, "Blood, Mud, and Money: Place and Public Land Conflicts in the Shawnee Hills" (2014). Dissertations. Paper 867. This Open Access Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses and Dissertations at OpenSIUC. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of OpenSIUC. For more information, please contact [email protected]. BLOOD, MUD, AND MONEY: PLACE AND PUBLIC LAND CONFLICTS IN THE SHAWNEE HILLS by Karen Wolf B.A., Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 1999 M.A., Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 2005 A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Department of Anthropology In the Graduate School Southern Illinois University Carbondale December, 2013 Copyright by Karen Wolf, 2013 All Rights Reserved DISSERTATION APPROVAL BLOOD, MUD, AND MONEY: PLACE AND PUBLIC LAND CONFLICTS IN THE SHAWNEE HILLS by Karen Wolf A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the field of Anthropology Approved by: David Sutton, chair Susan Ford Jane Adams John McCall Andrew Balkansky Graduate School Southern Illinois University Carbondale October 28, 2013 AN ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION OF KAREN WOLF, for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in ANTHROPOLOGY, Presented on SEPTEMBER 4, 2013, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. TITLE: BLOOD, MUD, AND MONEY: PUBLIC LAND CONFLICTS IN THE SHAWNEE HILLS MAJOR PROFESSOR: Dr. David Sutton This dissertation examines conflicts involving the use of public land for both extractive resources and recreational purposes in Southern Illinois from an anthropological perspective. These conflicts are examined in terms of place, western ideas of nature and culture, and the debate concerning conservation versus preservation. The beginning point for this work was the question of whether or not place building influences conflicts over public land. The conflicts that this work encompasses are logging, hunting, use of off-road vehicles, equestrian, and hydraulic fracturing. My goal was to look at different recreational conflicts of Southern Illinois and determine how issues of place, nature and culture, and conservation versus preservation ethics play into those conflicts. What I found is that all of these factors are inextricably intertwined and that both sides of these conflicts are informed by the identities and place- making of those involved and the perception of those identities and places. i DEDICATION I would like to dedicate this work to Chris… eye on the objective, semper. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS There are many who deserve my thanks for aiding me in this dissertation. First and foremost, to my family, Chris, Olivia and Jill for their extreme patience, support, inspiration, education and place. To my mom and dad for both funding my initial college experience as well as helping both economically and with great patience in all of my many graduate school years. To my committee for encouragement and guidance on issues both great and small, especially David Sutton and Susan Ford. I would like to thank all of those whom I have talked with over the years about Southern Illinois and what makes this space a place for those that live here. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE ABSTRACT ......................................................................................................................................... i DEDICATION .....................................................................................................................................ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................... iii TABLE OF CONTENTS....................................................................................................................... iv LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................................. vii CHAPTER I........................................................................................................................................ 1 ORIGINS ........................................................................................................................................... 1 There’s No Nature Here .............................................................................................................. 6 Place and Conflict ........................................................................................................................ 8 Horse Muck ................................................................................................................................. 9 Theory and Practice ................................................................................................................... 12 CHAPTER II..................................................................................................................................... 16 METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................................................ 16 Data Collection .......................................................................................................................... 16 Backyard Anthropology ............................................................................................................. 18 Research and the Shawnee Forest ............................................................................................ 21 CHAPTER III.................................................................................................................................... 23 THE SPACE AND HISTORY OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS ....................................................................... 23 Water and Stone ....................................................................................................................... 25 History of Land Use ................................................................................................................... 28 Forest Again ............................................................................................................................... 31 The Forest Today ....................................................................................................................... 33 The Economy Today .................................................................................................................. 34 CHAPTER IV ................................................................................................................................... 40 ANTHROPOLOGICAL THEORY – A WALK IN THE WOODS ............................................................. 40 Place I ........................................................................................................................................ 41 Place II: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow ...................................................................................... 44 Place III ...................................................................................................................................... 45 Human Environment Interface: Ecological Anthropology ........................................................ 48 iv Human Environment Interface: Nature and Culture ................................................................ 57 The Wilderness Debate ............................................................................................................. 60 Rough Terrain ............................................................................................................................ 66 CHAPTER V .................................................................................................................................... 70 RECREATION AND CONFLICT IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS ................................................................... 70 Introduction: Cycles of Conflict ................................................................................................. 71 Forest Again? ............................................................................................................................. 72 Cutting and Conflict ................................................................................................................... 74 The Lines Are Drawn ................................................................................................................. 76 Conflicts Between Environmental Groups ................................................................................ 81 Conflict of Another Color .......................................................................................................... 92 CHAPTER VI ................................................................................................................................... 94 BLOOD ........................................................................................................................................... 94 Headless Deer and Dead Coyote ............................................................................................... 94 The Long History
Recommended publications
  • VGP) Version 2/5/2009
    Vessel General Permit (VGP) Version 2/5/2009 United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) VESSEL GENERAL PERMIT FOR DISCHARGES INCIDENTAL TO THE NORMAL OPERATION OF VESSELS (VGP) AUTHORIZATION TO DISCHARGE UNDER THE NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM In compliance with the provisions of the Clean Water Act (CWA), as amended (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.), any owner or operator of a vessel being operated in a capacity as a means of transportation who: • Is eligible for permit coverage under Part 1.2; • If required by Part 1.5.1, submits a complete and accurate Notice of Intent (NOI) is authorized to discharge in accordance with the requirements of this permit. General effluent limits for all eligible vessels are given in Part 2. Further vessel class or type specific requirements are given in Part 5 for select vessels and apply in addition to any general effluent limits in Part 2. Specific requirements that apply in individual States and Indian Country Lands are found in Part 6. Definitions of permit-specific terms used in this permit are provided in Appendix A. This permit becomes effective on December 19, 2008 for all jurisdictions except Alaska and Hawaii. This permit and the authorization to discharge expire at midnight, December 19, 2013 i Vessel General Permit (VGP) Version 2/5/2009 Signed and issued this 18th day of December, 2008 William K. Honker, Acting Director Robert W. Varney, Water Quality Protection Division, EPA Region Regional Administrator, EPA Region 1 6 Signed and issued this 18th day of December, 2008 Signed and issued this 18th day of December, Barbara A.
    [Show full text]
  • 2017 - Year in Review Annual Report of Land Conservation Achievements in Illinois
    2017 - Year in Review Annual Report of Land Conservation Achievements in Illinois Written by David Holman The author thanks PSCC for their ongoing encouragement and support in the writing of this annual report. While the work and partnership of PSCC greatly contributes to the foundation of this writing, please note that the facts, figures, opinions, and general musings in this report are that of the author, and not of PSCC. About Prairie State Conservation Coalition Prairie State Conservation Coalition is a statewide, not-for-profit association that works to strengthen the effectiveness of conservation land trusts in Illinois. Conservation land trusts, such as local land conservancies, are also not-for-profit organizations seeking to improve the quality of life in their communities. Collectively, these organizations have helped protect more than 200,000 acres of open space in Illinois. PSCC provides continuing education and training for conservation land trusts and advocates for strong statewide policies that benefit land conservation. Find out more at prairiestateconservation.org. Author bio David Holman, the author of this report, is an independent conservation professional who works closely with the Prairie State Conservation Coalition and the individual land trust members of PSCC, as well as local, state, and federal agencies devoted to conservation. He specializes in Geographic Information Systems mapping, organizational efficiency, authoring Baseline and Current Conditions reports, irreverence, and project development, and is the creator of Illinois’ Protected Natural Lands Database and accompanying I-View interactive mapping application. He can be reached at [email protected]. 2017 - Year in Review A long and memorable year soon will withdraw to the pages of what undoubtedly will be a wild history.
    [Show full text]
  • Outdoor Recreational Needs & the Hunter Lake Opportunity Illinois
    Outdoor Recreational Needs & The Hunter Lake Opportunity Illinois Department of Natural Resources December 3, 2018 Introduction In 2015, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) entered into agreement with the City of Springfield to manage city-owned property surrounding the City’s proposed secondary water supply (Hunter Lake). The City has already acquired 7,138 acres for the project located in southeastern Sangamon County. The lake is expected to cover 2,560 surface-acres with water. Outdoors recreation generates about $32 billion in economic activity each year for the State of Illinois, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. All this activity supports 90,000 jobs statewide. As the population of the United States continues its gradual migration from rural to urban areas (U.S. Census Bureau), demand for recreational land, open space and hunting and fishing opportunities will continue to grow. With 95 percent of Illinois land in private hands, the state ranks 46th in terms of land in public ownership. The IDNR owns and manages about 480,000 acres. The partnership between the City and IDNR is intended to provide additional public access for outdoor recreation, education and habitat conservation on Hunter Lake and its surrounding area. The City concluded the IDNR is the appropriate state agency to help the City achieve this objective. IDNR has statutory authority to manage the state’s fish and wildlife resources. To this end, the City chose to enter a Memorandum of Cooperation with IDNR (Appendix A) and tasked the Agency with managing the property’s outdoors potential for recreational opportunity, including hunting, fishing, bird-watching, biking, hiking and camping.
    [Show full text]
  • Tunnel Hill 100 MILE RUN & 50 MILE RUN
    Tunnel Hill 100 MILE RUN & 50 MILE RUN NOVEMBER 13, 2016 TUNNEL HILL STATE TRAIL Vienna, Illinois IN THE HEART OF JOHNSON COUNTY The citizens of Johnson County WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME YOU We encourage you to take advantage of all that Johnson County has to offer during your stay with us. Below is just a short list of attractions. Throughout this booklet you will find local restaurants, shops, and tourist destinations. We hope you enjoy your time and look forward to seeing you again! Shawnee National Forest 1-800-MY-WOODS Ferne Clyffe State Park South of Goreville, IL, (618) 995-2411 Paul Powell Home (Museum) Rt. 146 and Vine, Vienna, IL 62995 Vienna Depot Welcome Center Vienna City Park, Vienna, IL 62995, (618) 658-8547 Shawnee Hills Wine Trail (618) 967-4006, shawneewinetrail.com Cache River Wetlands Center THE JOHNSON COUNTY 8885 Rt. 37 S, Cypress, IL, (618) 657-2064 BOARD OF Johnson County’s Courthouse COMMISSIONERS and Carnegie Public Library ERNIE HENSHAW, PHIL STEWART Vienna, IL, both on the AND FRED MEYER National Registry of Historic Buildings Tunnel Hill 100/50 Mile Run - 2 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FRIDAY NOVEMBER 12, 2016 Packet Pick up – 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. Pasta Dinner - 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Vienna High School – 601 N 1st St, Vienna, IL 62995 SATURDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2016 Late packet pick up 6:30 – 7:30 a.m. Start – 100 mile and 50 mile 8:00 a.m. Finish – 100 & 50 mi. – Sun. Nov. 15 2 p.m. Vienna City Park – 298 E.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Illinois Nature Preserves Commission Minutes of the 206
    Illinois Nature Preserves Commission Minutes of the 206th Meeting (Approved at the 207th Meeting) Burpee Museum of Natural History 737 North Main Street Rockford, IL 61103 Tuesday, September 21, 2010 206-1) Call to Order, Roll Call, and Introduction of Attendees At 10:05 a.m., pursuant to the Call to Order of Chair Riddell, the meeting began. Deborah Stone read the roll call. Members present: George Covington, Donnie Dann, Ronald Flemal, Richard Keating, William McClain, Jill Riddell, and Lauren Rosenthal. Members absent: Mare Payne and David Thomas. Chair Riddell stated that the Governor has appointed the following Commissioners: George M. Covington (replacing Harry Drucker), Donald (Donnie) R. Dann (replacing Bruce Ross- Shannon), William E. McClain (replacing Jill Allread), and Dr. David L. Thomas (replacing John Schwegman). It was moved by Rosenthal, seconded by Flemal, and carried that the following resolution be approved: The Illinois Nature Preserves Commission wishes to recognize the contributions of Jill Allread during her tenure as a Commissioner from 2000 to 2010. Jill served with distinction as Chair of the Commission from 2002 to 2004. She will be remembered for her clear sense of direction, her problem solving abilities, and her leadership in taking the Commission’s message to the broader public. Her years of service with the Commission and her continuing commitment to and advocacy for the Commission will always be greatly appreciated. (Resolution 2089) It was moved by Rosenthal, seconded by Flemal, and carried that the following resolution be approved: The Illinois Nature Preserves Commission wishes to recognize the contributions of Harry Drucker during his tenure as a Commissioner from 2001 to 2010.
    [Show full text]
  • Final Environmental Impact Statement Appendices
    This document can be accessed on the Shawnee National Forest website: www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/shawnee. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Shawnee National Forest Forest Plan FEIS Appendix A – Forest Plan Revision Issues and Public Involvement APPENDIX A FOREST PLAN REVISION ISSUES AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT I. INTRODUCTION The first SNF Land and Resource Management Plan (Plan) was approved on November 24, 1986. In 1988, following 23 administrative appeals, the Forest met with appellants and reached a settlement agreement. Significant changes in the Plan resulted in an amended Forest Plan signed in 1992. A lawsuit on nine counts was filed against the Plan in 1994. The court ruled in favor of the Forest Service on five counts and in favor of the plaintiffs on four. The court remanded the entire Plan, but allowed implementation, enjoining specific activities, including commercial, hardwood-timber harvest, ATV trail designation and oil and gas development.
    [Show full text]
  • 25% of Proceeds of This Map Support Trail Improvements Hiker Only 001E 88°42'30"W 88°42'0"W 88°41'30"W 88°41'0"W UPPER 467 SPRING RD CENTER Hitching Post TH 001 UPPER
    88°43'0"W 88°42'0"W 88°41'0"W 88°40'0"W 88°39'0"W 88°38'0"W 88°37'0"W 88°36'0"W 88°35'0"W 88°34'0"W 88°33'0"W 88°32'0"W 88°31'0"W 88°30'0"W 88°29'0"W 88°28'0"W 88°27'0"W 88°26'0"W 88°25'0"W 020 37°38'0"N Emergency Contact Information National Forest Contact Numbers Shawnee National Forest Gallatin County Sheriff (618) 269-3137 Hidden Springs Ranger District Forest Supervisor’s Office GARDEN Hardin County Sheriff (618) 287-2271 602 N. First Street 50 Highway 145 South Hiker/Equestrian Trails Map Eagle Creek OF THE Pope County Sheriff (618) 683-4321 Route 45 North Harrisburg, IL 62946 Water s he d 462 Trails Designation Project Area 37°37'0"N Saline County Sheriff (618) 252-8661 Vienna, IL 62995 (618) 253-7114 Emergency cellphone service may not be available in all (618) 658-2111 (800) 699-6637 Lusk Creek and Upper Bay Creek STATE map areas Watersheds 37°37'0"N 465 408 : 464 HIGHWAY 34 Contour017 interval = 20 feet Trail Conditions Hotline 618-658-1312 463 Jackson Hollow Eddyville Vicinity 0 0.5 1 2 To report trail conditions and obtain updated information regarding wet -weather closures in the Lusk Creek Wilderness 460 408 460 Miles HORTON HILL RD 465 WWW.SNFFRIENDS.ORG Hiker Only 460 37°36'0"N [email protected] GARDEN OF THE GODS WILDERNESS Hiker Only Shawnee National Forest website: www.fs.usda.gov/shawnee 37°36'0"N 25% of proceeds of this map support trail improvements Hiker Only 001E 88°42'30"W 88°42'0"W 88°41'30"W 88°41'0"W UPPER 467 SPRING RD CENTER Hitching Post TH 001 UPPER SPRINGS RD GARDEN OF THE GODS WILDERNESS Jackson
    [Show full text]
  • The Hoosier- Shawnee Ecological Assessment Area
    United States Department of Agriculture The Hoosier- Forest Service Shawnee Ecological North Central Assessment Research Station General Frank R. Thompson, III, Editor Technical Report NC-244 Thompson, Frank R., III, ed 2004. The Hoosier-Shawnee Ecological Assessment. Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-244. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station. 267 p. This report is a scientific assessment of the characteristic composition, structure, and processes of ecosystems in the southern one-third of Illinois and Indiana and a small part of western Kentucky. It includes chapters on ecological sections and soils, water resources, forest, plants and communities, aquatic animals, terrestrial animals, forest diseases and pests, and exotic animals. The information presented provides a context for land and resource management planning on the Hoosier and Shawnee National Forests. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Key Words: crayfish, current conditions, communities, exotics, fish, forests, Hoosier National Forest, mussels, plants, Shawnee National Forest, soils, water resources, wildlife. Cover photograph: Camel Rock in Garden of the Gods Recreation Area, with Shawnee Hills and Garden of the Gods Wilderness in the back- ground, Shawnee National Forest, Illinois. Contents Preface....................................................................................................................... II North Central Research Station USDA Forest Service Acknowledgments ...................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Natural Resources Bruce Rauner, Governor One Natural Resources Way ∙ Springfield, Illinois 62702-1271 Wayne Rosenthal, Director
    Illinois Department of Natural Resources Bruce Rauner, Governor One Natural Resources Way ∙ Springfield, Illinois 62702-1271 Wayne Rosenthal, Director www.dnr.illinois.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Tim Schweizer September 27, 2018 217-785-4344 IDNR Announces State and Federal Sites Open for 2018 Youth Waterfowl Hunting Seasons Youth Hunt Weekends Precede Start of Regular Waterfowl Seasons in Each Zone SPRINGFIELD, IL – A number of Illinois state parks, fish and wildlife areas, conservation areas and recreation areas will be open to youth waterfowl hunting during the 2018 North Zone Youth Waterfowl Hunt, Central Zone Youth Waterfowl Hunt, South Central Zone Youth Waterfowl Hunt and South Zone Youth Waterfowl Hunt, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) announced today. Federal sites that fall under the IDNR waterfowl administrative rule that will be open are also listed below. At most sites, regulations that apply during the regular waterfowl hunting season apply during the Youth Hunt (hunters should check for site-specific regulations, including changes in legal shooting hours). During the Youth Hunt, the bag limits are the same as during regular seasons. As part of the Youth Hunt, hunters age 17 or younger may hunt ducks, geese, coots and mergansers, as long as they are accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age. The accompanying adult cannot hunt these species, but may participate in other open seasons. Youth hunters must have a hunting license, Youth Hunting License, or Apprentice Hunting License. The youth hunter or her or his accompanying adult must have a valid FOID card. The supervising adult does not need to have a hunting license if they are not hunting other species.
    [Show full text]
  • Discover Illinois Archaeology
    Discover Illinois Archaeology ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION FOR ADVANCEMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY ILLINOIS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY Discover Illinois Archaeology Illinois’ rich cultural heritage began more collaborative effort by 18 archaeologists from than 12,000 years ago with the arrival of the across the state, with a major contribution by ancestors of today’s Native Americans. We learn Design Editor Kelvin Sampson. Along with sum- about them through investigations of the remains maries of each cultural period and highlights of they left behind, which range from monumental regional archaeological research, we include a earthworks with large river-valley settlements to short list of internet and print resources. A more a fragment of an ancient stone tool. After the extensive reading list can be found at the Illinois arrival of European explorers in the late 1600s, a Association for Advancement of Archaeology succession of diverse settlers added to our cul- web site www.museum.state.il.us/iaaa/DIA.pdf. tural heritage, leading to our modern urban com- We hope that by reading this summary of munities and the landscape we see today. Ar- Illinois archaeology, visiting a nearby archaeo- chaeological studies allow us to reconstruct past logical site or museum exhibit, and participating environments and ways of life, study the rela- in Illinois Archaeology Awareness Month pro- tionship between people of various cultures, and grams each September, you will become actively investigate how and why cultures rise and fall. engaged in Illinois’ diverse past and DISCOVER DISCOVER ILLINOIS ARCHAEOLOGY, ILLINOIS ARCHAEOLOGY. summarizing Illinois culture history, is truly a Alice Berkson Michael D. Wiant IIILLINOIS AAASSOCIATION FOR CONTENTS AAADVANCEMENT OF INTRODUCTION.
    [Show full text]
  • Campings Illinois
    Campings Illinois Amboy Champaign - Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Amboy Camp Resort - D & W Lake Camping & RV Park - Pine View Campground - Green River Oaks Camping Resort Chandlerville - Mendota Hills Campground - Prairie Lake Campground Apple River Canyon SP Charleston - Canyon Ridge Campground - Fox Ridge - Apple Canyon Lake Campground Chester Belvidere en omgeving - Randolph Country State Recreation Area - Pine Country RV & Camping Resort - Northwoods RV Resort by Zeman Chicago en omgeving - Holiday Acres Camping Resort - Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Millbrook Chicago Camp Resort - Chicago Northwest KOA in Union Benton - Blackwell Family Campground - Benton KOA - Tameling Rv Park and Campground in Wilmington - Camp Sullivan in Oak Forest Brimfield - Camp Bullfrog Lake in Willow Springs - Jubilee College State Park campground - Thomas Woods Campground in Marengo - Lehman's Lakeside RV Resort in Marengo Brownstown - Okaw Valley Kampground Clayton - Siloam Springs State Park campground Carlinville - Beaver Dam State Park campground Clinton en omgeving - Clinton Lake State Recreation Area Carlock - Weldon Springs State Park campground - Kamp Komfort RV Park and Campground - Arrowhead Acres campground Carlyle Colchester, Argyle Lake - Illini Campground at Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area - The Twisted Oak - Carlyle Lake Dam West Campground Durand Casey - Sugar Shores Camping Resort - Casey KOA - Rivers Edge Campground Ellsworth - Moraine View State Recreation Area Enfield - Piney Wood Campground Erie - Blue Lake Resort Findlay - Wolf Creek State
    [Show full text]
  • Shawnee Hills and Plains: an Ecoregion for Focus on Conservation
    2 SHAWNEE HILLS AND PLAINS: AN ECOREGION FOR FOCUS ON CONSERVATION . The Unglaciated Lower Ohio River watershed, centered on the lower Wabash River (Illinois, Indiana) and Green River (Kentucky), including karst plains. TEAMWORK . Natural regions can be defined for coordination among varied types of conservationist. Such regions should embrace somewhat similar ecological conditions in each case, and range over a reasonably moderate scale to allow frequent gathering, sharing and resolving. The ‘Shawnee Hills’—as mapped here—contained a traditional center for native American culture during a series of eras. Before use by the Shawnee tribe in recent centuries, a distinct phase of the Fort Ancient culture established here, and there was extensive development of agriculture during the ‘Woodland Period’ 1000-3000 years ago. The region is extended here for practical reasons to include karst plains on south and east sides of the hills. Major cities now include Bowling Green, Owensboro (KY), Evansville, Bloomington More rugged sections include “Garden of the Gods,” Shawnee National Forest, Illinois [shawneeforest.com/Hiking] (IN); Carbondale (IL) and Clarksville (TN) are just outside. The various universities in these cities collaborate little on critical problems of natural history and conservation biology in this region. In 1995-2005, The Nature Conservancy hosted planning for biodiversity across the whole “Interior Low Plateaus Ecoregion”— from northern Alabama to southern Indiana. This helped guide major projects—but details of their extensive analysis have not been widely shared with the community. In the Shawnee Hills section of the Interior Low Plateaus, there has until recently been little integration of efforts by different organizations.
    [Show full text]