Building Community and Protecting Public LandRegional Association of Concerned Environmentalists is working toward the protection of biodiversity, a non-polluting economy, and the general health of our planet. We are centered in the Shawnee National Forest region of Southern Illinois and have been actively involved in environmental issues concerning the forests and toxic pollution of the region since 1985. RACE is an all-volunteer, grassroots environmental organization dedicated to the environmental and ecological health of Southern Illinois and surrounding area. Our primary focus has been the protection of the Shawnee National Forest which occupies approximately 275,000 acres in the lower 11 counties of Illinois. The Shawnee National Forest suffers extreme fragmentation and other ecological pressures due to commercial logging, illegal ATV use, commercial equestrian abuse and road construction. We challenge the degradation of our woods by building campaigns to engage our community in actively resisting commercial exploitation of public land. Using results of scientific research and our knowledge of state and federal law we are able to reach out and help educate the public about ways to help protect the Shawnee. We believe ATVs should continue to be illegal to ride on the Shawnee, that commercial equestrian outfitters should be strongly regulated by the USFS and that zero commercial logging should be allowed on the Shawnee. We often use the court system to file lawsuits that challenge US Forest Service disregard for the law and interface with legislators in creating new regulations that prioritizes environmental protection. For over 2 decades, our network of grassroots activists has worked steadfast to ensure the health and wellbeing of the Shawnee and has helped create a community that prioritizes public lands and common resource protection. We invite you to join us! |
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