Tackling bush honeysuckle, one plant at a time

Volunteers work at Lincoln’s New Salem to control an invasive species

More than 180 years ago, a young Abraham Lincoln was working in various capacities at New Salem. One of his duties was splitting wood, such as white and red oaks found on the rolling hills, and walnut

Exploring the Shawnee National Forest

A guided tour of southern Illinois’ natural wonder

It’s the only national forest in our predominantly agricultural/urban state, and it offers a great escape from our daily routines. Located down in the southern tip of the stat

The trails of Madison County

Picturesque Metro East county a destination for hikers and bikers

Untitled Document Having two sons, I’ve done my share of driving around the state on weekends — attending swim meets, soccer games, or cross-country meets over the ye

Walking with ghosts

Along the Potawatomi Trail of Death

Untitled Document “We soon found ourselves on the grand prairies of Illinois, under a burning sun and without shade from one camp to another. They are vast as the ocean, an

Float your boat

Ozark streams offer opportunity for exploration and relaxation

Untitled Document Just a few hours from Springfield are hundreds of miles of floatable streams that offer an ideal natural playground for exploration, fishing, and relaxation. Ma

Recycle city

It may still be a throwaway world, but Springfield’s doing its part to reduce, reuse, and recycle

Untitled Document Twenty-eight years ago, fresh out of college, I arrived in Springfield to begin my professional career. Living by myself, I didn’t really generate much tr

The nation’s treasure

"It is my belief that what is being accomplished will conserve our natural resources, create future national wealth, and prove of moral and spiritual value not only to those of you who are takin

Shawnee’s stone forts

Southern Illinois was inhabited as early as 10,000 years ago by people attracted to the region's abundant natural resources, plentiful game, and numerous shelter bluffs that offered refuge from

A ride through time

"The interurban was an American transportation phenomenon. Evolved from the urban streetcar, the interurban appeared shortly before the dawn of the 20th century, grew to a vast network of over 1