Shawnee National Forest Trash Blasts continue

Illinois Extension and Friends of the Shawnee National Forest continue to call for volunteers of all ages to roll up their sleeves to join in on Trash Blasts, a series of hands-on cleanup events this spring and fall

.They'll happen on the first Friday of every month, from 1 pm to 3 pm at various locations. They will be collecting out in the woods, along the trails, lakes and access roads. 

During Trash Blasts, teams of volunteers find items as large as mattresses to tiny micro trash. No matter what they find, they try to remove it to help restore the area to its natural state.

Volunteers should wear sturdy shoes, long pants, closed-toed shoes, and bring leather work gloves. Trash receptacles and grabbers will be provided for volunteers during the trash blast. Each event is limited to 30 participants.

Trash blast opportunities in southern Illinois include:

May 1 - Ripple Hollow
June 5 - Dutchman Lake
September 4 - Bean Ridge
October 2 - Turkey Bayou
November 6 - Iron Furnace

For more information, click here.