Minutes of November Meeting

The Winston County Natural Resources Council met at the U. S. Forest Service Office in Double Springs on November 21, 2024.  The following members were present:  Jamie Segraves, Jared Carter, Paul Green, Matt Hannah, Amy Melson, John Creed, Chris Horne, Zac Brannon, and Lauranne James.  Jamie opened the meeting and called on reports from members.

Jared gave an update on NATR programs.  Specifically, he told about a Rails to Trails project that is in the early stages of development.  It involves the abandoned rail route from Red Bay to Haleyville and would be over 30 miles of trail.  Trail users would include hikers and bikers, and possibly equestrian.  This would likely be a multiple year project with issues such as funding, right-of-ways, design and construction all being major hurdles.  The project could be a boost for tourism for the three counties that would be involved in the project.  He also mentioned a possible partnership of the three counties, Marion, Franklin, and Winston to form a Regional Trails Association to work on trail projects.

Paul reported that the NRCS 2024 sign up was completed.  They will be working on implementation in 2025 and signing up participants for the 2026 EQIP and CSP programs.

Chris gave the update from the USFS.  He made note of some accidents involving hikers and hunters including a fatality of a hunter on the Bankhead.

We reviewed the FAWN program for 300 Winston County sixth graders held in mid October, November.  Good weather and excellent learning stations made for a banner year.  Additional funding from the Conservation Officers Association is expected soon.

The Forestry Field Day that was postponed due to weather has been rescheduled for Friday, April 25, 2025, with a rain date of Friday, May 2.

A possible field trip to Ravenwood in Lawrence County was scheduled for Thursday, May 15.  Mike will consult with the property owners about the date and time for this field trip, and the date is subject to change.

Zac gave a report on the recent Forestry Careers Day that was held in Moulton at Alexander Park for both Winston and Lawrence County 10th graders.  Over 300 youth attended the program with most being from Winston County.  Zac said preliminary plans for the 2025 Forestry Careers Day are in the works.

Jamie said the treasurer reported a balance of $5,733.33.  John moved that we accept the treasurer's report and Mike seconded.  All agreed.

Jamie asked whether or not we should have a December meeting.  Matt moved that we not have a December and Zac seconded.  All agreed.

Jamie called for any final comments.  Mike moved that meeting be adjourned, Zac seconded.  The meeting was adjourned.

Mike Henshaw

Secretary, WCNRC

November Meeting of the Council

The next meeting will be held at the U. S. Forest Service office in Double Springs on Thursday, November 21, at 9:00 a.m.  We'll review the recent FAWN programs and plan our 2025 activities.

Look forward to seeing you there,

Mike Henshaw, Secretary - WCNRC

FAWN Programs

Council Members,

Looks like the weather forecast is worry-free for FAWN this week.  The Council will meet at 9:00 am on Tuesday, October 15, at the Houston Recreation Area for the walk through.  The FAWN programs Winston County sixth graders will be held on the following days, Wednesday and Thursday.

Thanks for your help,

Mike Henshaw, Secretary

WCNRC

Forestry Field Day Cancelled Due to Hurricane Helene

The council met this morning for the walk through at the Natural Bridge Picnic Area and decided that we needed to cancel the Forestry Field Day scheduled for Friday due to the high winds and rain that is in the forecast.  Safety for participants was the main factor.

Present were Kerry Steedley, Jarret Daniels, Vanessa King, Matt Hannah, Brad Nail, Chris Horne, Casey Hammack, Jamie Segroves and Mike Henshaw. 

We are in the process of notifying the speakers and participants.  We plan to send out a follow up email to participants reviewing the pine beetle situation.  We will reschedule the Field Day for a later date next year at the same location at the Natural Bridge Picnic Area and the Horace Ward property.  

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, October 15, to conduct the walk through for the FAWN programs to be held on October 16 and 17, at the Houston Recreation Area.

Mike Henshaw, Secretary

WCNRC

Winston County Forestry Field Day

 

Winston County Forestry Field Day on Friday, September 27, 2024.  Registration is free, but must register to attend.  Call the Winston County Extension Office to register, 205-489-5376.

Southern Pine Beetles Reach Epidemic Level in Alabama's Forests

 News Release from Alabama Forestry Commission

Southern Pine Beetles Reach Epidemic Level in Alabama's Forests

As of August 22, the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) has identified almost 5,000 Southern pine beetle (SPB) spots across the state, with an average mortality of 191 pine trees per spot. For the remainder of the summer, the number of SPB spots, as well as the number of trees affected per spot, are expected to increase.

 

“Alabama’s timber industry is a driver of our economy, and these pine beetles can pose a real threat. Landowners should take care to identify these beetles to protect their own harvest, as well as to help prevent the spread to other timber,” said Governor Kay Ivey. “The Alabama Forestry Commission is working hard to locate the beetle spots and notify landowners of the potential problem.”

 

“Unfortunately, this is the highest number of beetle spots we’ve experienced in the state in the last 23 years. The agency has conducted aerial surveys in 51 counties so far, with more counties anticipated over the next couple weeks,” said State Forester Rick Oates. “Both Mississippi and Georgia are also counting numerous spots. So, it looks as if this is an especially active pine beetle year not just here in Alabama, but across the Southeast.”

 

Counties with significant SPB activity (more than 100 spots) are Bibb, Calhoun, Choctaw, Clay, Colbert, Coosa, Franklin, Lamar, Lawrence, Marion, Perry, Randolph, Talladega, and Winston. The worst infestations are located within and around Bankhead National Forest and the Oakmulgee District of the Talladega National Forest. This data is relevant to landowners because a large number of beetle spots exist on adjacent private lands as well. 

 

The AFC will continue marking beetle spots and at the conclusion of each flight, the data will be synced to the ‘SPB Location Map’. The agency is also conducting ground checks and notifying forest landowners by mail. By locating their property on this map, forest landowners and land managers can begin treating the spots. Both the SPB map and beetle control information can be viewed on the AFC’s website at forestry.alabama.gov. To speak to an AFC representative in your local area, click the ‘Contact Us’ tab on the homepage, then select your county in the drop-down menu.

 

The mission of the Alabama Forestry Commission is to protect and sustain Alabama’s forest resources using professionally applied stewardship principles and education, ensuring that the state’s forests contribute to abundant timber and wildlife, clean air and water, and a healthy economy.

Minutes of August Council Meeting

The Winston County Natural Resources Council met on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at the U. S. Forest Service Office.  The following persons were present: Mike Henshaw, Jamie Segroves, Zack Brannon, John Creed, Lauranne James, Casey Hammack.  Not pictured, Matt Hannah, Marsha Welch, and Amy Foss.  Photo by Matt Hannah.  The following topics were discussed:

• Landowner Field Day to be held on Friday, September 27.  Zack had copies of the flyer on hand.  Funding sources were discussed which include the Alabama Forestry Foundation, NW RC&D Council and the WCNRC.  Casey will make the arrangements for the portable toilets.  The walk-thru will serve as the September meeting of the council and which will be held at 9:00 a.m. on September 26, the day before the field day.  Food will be cookout style similar to the last field day.
• FAWN program dates were shared by Zack; it will be held on Wednesday, October 16, and Thursday, October 17, at Houston Recreation Area.  Casey said that would work well with the Marion County dates of October 8-9.  Shirts and water bottles will be provided to all students which is made possible by the Winston County Soil and Water Conservation District and the NW RC&D Council.  In order to reduce cost, Matt Hannah offered to do the grilling for lunch.  This will cost much less than catering. 
• The current pine beetle situation was discussed with two landowners sharing info about infestations on their property.  Jamie said that the AFC is notifying landowners as spots are detected by aerial surveillance. 

Jamie adjourned the meeting.

Mike Henshaw

Secretary, WCNRC