Among the natural places WSIU took you in 2015, three particularly scenic areas come to mind.The Cache River and its surrounding wetlands, Ferne Clyffe State Park and Dixon Springs State park.
To learn more about the Cache River visit: https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/Parks/Pages/CacheRiver.aspx
To learn more about Ferne Clyffe State Park see: http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/r5/ferne.htm
To learn more about Dixon Springs State Park visit: http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/r5/dixon.htm