HARRISBURG – The Shawnee National Forest is excited to welcome Felipe Cano as the new forest supervisor.
Cano, a 25 year U.S. Forest Service veteran, said, “I am both honored and excited to serve the people of Illinois, and the American public, as the Shawnee National Forest’s new supervisor.”
“I grew up in the panhandle section of Idaho where I was surrounded by national forests,” Cano said. “I was instilled with a wonder of the rivers, lakes, mountains and peoples of the area. That wonder carried over into my curiosity of how ecosystems work, and natural products connected with people in many locations around the world. The Forest Service became an exciting opportunity to learn and contribute to the agency’s distinctive mandate to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of national forests.”
Cano’s Forest Service career began in 1999 on the Ouachita National Forest, improving red-cockaded woodpecker habitat through vegetation management. He later worked in Puerto Rico on the El Yunque National Forest and in Arizona on the Tonto National Forest. He served as a district ranger on the Idaho Panhandle National Forest in 2018, and just recently as the natural resources staff officer on the Plumas National Forest in Region 5.
Cano is not new to the region, having recently served in a 120-day details as a deputy forest supervisor on both the Ouachita National Forest and Mark Twain National Forest.
“This is a major goal for me to join you all as the Forest Supervisor on the Shawnee National Forest, returning to the mid-west, and I’m looking forward to learning about you and your experience here,” Cano said.
Cano added that being part of people’s lives has been a blessing and honor in his own journey, and that he’s learned that the wonderful moments we share with one another is what truly matters in overcoming challenges.
“The thought of helping steward the world class resources and landscapes on the Shawnee National Forest and working with community and tribal partners here is incredibly energizing,” Cano said. “I am eager to join the Forest and the community in continuing the current great work that Shawnee staff have established.”
Cano’s selection on the Shawnee National Forest is a result of a decision to move away from a combined management model. Mike Chaveas will continue to serve as the Hoosier National Forest Supervisor.
