Forest Service, volunteers working on new trail

POPE COUNTY - The U.S. Forest Service, with the help of volunteers, is constructing a new trail at Shawnee National Forest's Lusk Creek Wilderness.

Volunteers from AmeriCorps St. Louis are helping the Forest Service build a new trail to replace the old trail, which was prone to erosion.

According to a Shawnee National Forest news release, the new trail also better protects nature.

Shawnee National Forest relies on volunteers and support for collaborators like AmeriCorps St. Louis to complete important projects.

The volunteers pick up trash, identify and preserve historic sites and improve wildlife habitat when they're not building and maintaining trails, according to the news release.

AmeriCorps St. Louis members focus on environmental stewardship and recreational projects. These projects include nonnative invasive species removal, habitat restoration, wilderness area preservation and recreational access improvement.

Prescribed burning and wildland fire suppression also are further ways it assists in the conservation of natural spaces.