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Reception for Abraham Hunter Exhibition
Celebrating the Shawnee
Saturday, March 1, 3-5pm
SIU Morris Library Rotunda

Abraham Hunter, nationally acclaimed wildlife artist, will be showcasing three of his remarkable
paintings at the Morris Library Rotunda during the month of March.


These works capture the natural beauty of the Shawnee, featuring Garden of the Gods, Bell Smith Springs, and Burden Falls.

About the Artist
Abraham Hunter, a self-taught artist who grew up between Vienna and Goreville, has shown an interest in the natural world since his early years. At 12, he won the junior duck stamp contest, highlighting his early skill in wildlife art. Mr. Hunter is affiliated with Infinity Fine Art and Masters Editions Galleries. He currently resides near Gatlinburg, Tennessee, but still maintains his deep connection to Southern Illinois.

Contributing to a Noble Cause
After learning about the Shawnee Park and Climate Alliance (SPACA), an organization focused on establishing a national park in Southern Illinois, Mr. Hunter offered his support. He suggested creating a series of paintings of the Shawnee National Forest to help raise awareness and generate funds for SPACA through the sale of prints.

A Generous Donation
The original paintings exhibited at Morris Library have been generously donated to SPACA by Mr. Hunter.

Supporting the Initiative
Art lovers can support SPACA by purchasing prints of Mr. Hunter's paintings.
Full-size prints (48" x 24" or 36" x 24") are $350. Half-size prints are $200 for canvas and $175 for matte.
To purchase a print, contact Les Winkeler at les@winkelerswingsandwildlife.com or call 618-841-7862.

This exhibition showcases Abraham Hunter's talent and underscores the importance of preserving Southern Illinois's natural beauty. His artwork inspires and supports efforts to establish the Shawnee National Park and Climate Preserve, ensuring these landscapes are protected for future generations.

See attached PDF flyer.


 

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Welcome to the Shawnee National Park and Climate Preserve initiative blog

  • Jan 27, 2023
  • 2 min read

Updated: Aug 24, 2024




The Shawnee Park and Climate Alliance (SPACA) is pursuing public support for an initiative to transfer oversight of what is now the federally-owned Shawnee National Forest, under the control of the US Department of Agriculture Forest Service (FS), into the US Department of Interior Park Service. Unlike the creation of many earlier national parks, this new designation would not involve taking private or state land to create this new parkland, unless landowners agree to either donate land to the National Park Service (NPS) or budgets permit the agency to purchase additional land and current landowners are willing sellers.


So why change the designation of the Shawnee? Under management by the USDA Forest Service and the agency's multiple use mandate (https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3795279.pdf), the Shawnee is subjected to commercial exploitation of natural resources such as timber extraction. The National Park Service's mission, on the other hand, "is to preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of this and future generations."


SPACA is recommending that the overwhelming majority of the Shawnee (approximately 90%) become a national preserve, where customary recreational uses continue. Current uses such as hunting, dispersed camping, collecting mushrooms herbs and firewood, boating, swimming, rock climbing, horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, dog walking, etc., will continue. The remaining Shawnee land that already has certain recreational restrictions such as Recreation Areas, Research Natural Areas and National Natural Landmarks would become the National Park portion. The new "Climate" Preserve name is designed to highlight the effectiveness of eastern deciduous forests in sequestering carbon and cooling the region but to also clarify that this preserve will remain free from greenhouse gas producing resource extraction.



 
 
 

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4 Comments


lemastersjlj
Jul 20, 2024

The “ Hidden “ Gems of Southernmost Illinois would become the Central destination for many people that love and / or could learn of the Majestic Beauty and Benifit of what isn’t know as it should be ! A Preserve would be a complement to this area ! MY HOME !

Edited
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Pam Karlson
Pam Karlson
Sep 27, 2023

Been camping here since I was a wee child. Shawnee is dear to my heart. My hope is that it will become a National Park & Climate Preserve - it's a treasure. Thank you for your work.

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Hendrica Regez
Hendrica Regez
Sep 27, 2023

How can we help make this happen?

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Duane Short
Duane Short
Jun 16, 2023

Indeed, it's Illinois' Best Idea! An idea whose time has come.

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