Minutes of August Council Meeting

The Winston County Natural Resources Council met on August 17, at the U. S. Forest Service in Double Springs.  The following members were present:  Jeremy McDonald, J. D. Snoddy, Johnna Franks, Kerry Clark, Travis McDonald, Mike Henshaw, Kerri Roberts, Andy Baril, Casey Hammack, and Allison Cochran.

The following items were discussed:

• FAWN program.  Ideas for t-shirt designs were discussed.  Jeremy had some examples of designs.  Johnna will check vendors for prices and select the art work.
• Cogongrass spot are still being found across the county.  About 20 new spots have shown up this season, most of them on road right-of-ways.  We ask that all agencies, road departments, and private landowners work together to treat every spot that is found.  
• Allison said that over 100 pine beetle infestations have been identified, and that they are active spots.  The Forest Service is looking to treat these active outbreaks.  There have also been serious outbreaks on Mississippi National Forests.
• The Winston County Soil and Water Conservation District contributed $600 to the council, part of which will be used for the FAWN Program.
• J. D. offered to contact the Mountain Lakes Tourism Association about sponsoring FAWN.
• The Alabama Conservation Enforcement Officers Association will be approached about sponsoring the FAWN program again this year.
• The council needs a logo to be used on t-shirts and other promotional materials.
• We have vacant officer positions at the Chairman and Vice Chairman positions.  Members are encouraged to volunteer for these positions.

Mike Henshaw, Secretary

WCNRC

August 17 Meeting of the WCNRC

The Winston County Natural Resources Council will meet at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 17, at the U. S. Forest Service Office in Double Springs.  Agenda topics include:

• FAWN Program planned for October 3-4
• T-shirts for FAWN-possible designs and sponsor logos
• Resource Advisory Committee proposal from Winston County
• Possible election of vacant council officer positions

Look forward to seeing you there!

Mike Henshaw, Secretary
WCNRC

2017 FAWN Dates

After consulting with the various schools, we have dates for the 2017 FAWN Program for Winston County Schools:

Double Springs, Addison, and Meek Schools Tuesday, October 3

Haleyville and Lynn Schools Wednesday, October 4

We’ll be sending out detailed program agendas soon, but please mark down these dates.

Thanks,

Mike Henshaw
Secretary, WCNRC

Tony Avery Retirement Reception

Forever Wild Board Meets in Tuscaloosa on August 10

Monday, July 24, 2017 - 11:45am
The Board of Trustees of the Alabama Forever Wild Land Trust will hold its third quarterly meeting on August 10, 2017, in the Birmingham Room of the Bryant Conference Center, 240 Paul W. Bryant Dr., Tuscaloosa, Ala., 35487. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m.

At this meeting, updates on Forever Wild program activities and tract assessments will be presented. This meeting will also provide an opportunity for any individual who would like to make comments concerning the program to address the board.

The public is invited to attend this meeting and is encouraged to submit nominations of tracts of land for possible Forever Wild Program purchase. Written nominations may be submitted by email to Forever.Wild@dcnr.alabama.gov or by letter to the State Lands Division, Room 464, 64 N. Union St., Montgomery, Ala., 36130. Nominations can also be made online at www.alabamaforeverwild.com/contact/nominate_land_tracts.

Quarterly meetings of the Forever Wild Board are held to maximize public input into the program. Only through active public participation can the best places in Alabama be identified and conserved in order to remain forever wild.

If Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations are needed, please contact Jo Lewis at 334-242-3051 or Jo.Lewis@dcnr.alabama.gov. Requests should be made as soon as possible, but at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled meeting.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR, visit www.outdooralabama.com.

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http://www.outdooralabama.com/forever-wild-board-meets-tuscaloosa-august-10

Thank You Letter from U. S. Forest Service for Assistance with Fishing Derby

July Council Meeting Minutes

The Winston County Natural Resources Council met on July 20, 2017, at the U. S. Forest Service Office in Double Springs.  Present were Mike Henshaw, Byron Tuggle, Jimmy Madison, Kerry Clark, Jeremy McDonald, Walker Shortnacy, J. D. Snoddy, Allison Cochran, and Johnna Franks.  The following topics were discussed:

• T-shirts for FAWN program.  The Winston County Soil and Water Conservation District has agreed to sponsor the FAWN program by giving $600 for this year's program.  Johnna is researching FAWN t-shirt options and other items with the WCSWCD new logo.  Jeremy shared examples of t-shirts from the Payne Creek Demo Area programs.
• Mike shared information about the Resource Advisory Committee funds available from the Forest Service.  The Winston County Commission has submitted a proposal requesting over $71,000 for road maintenance and educational activities in the county.  
• Jeremy, Kerry, and Johnna stressed the importance of treating the numerous cogongrass spots that have occurred in the county.  Most of them have been on state highways, and the indication is that it is being spread by road maintenance activities.  The council will prepare a letter to send to both the ALDOT and the Winston County Road Department on the importance of treating cogongrass infestations and cleaning equipment to prevent the spread.
• The Winston County 4-H Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Teams placed second and fourth at the recent state competition in Auburn.  The council voted to provide $200 to help cover the team's expenses.
• Jimmy Madison, the new Emergency Management Director for Winston County, introduced himself and gave a brief background on his previous experience in the fire service and law enforcement.
• Byron said he has been attending in-service training and conducting home visits with students that have Agri-science projects at home.
• J. D. said the Winston County Arts Council has an exhibit at the Bankhead House in Jasper that will run from June until September.  Much of the art is related to the natural resources in Winston County.
• Walker Shortnacy, an Auburn University Wildlife Sciences student, attended the Bat Blitz in Birmingham and gave a report on that event.  He has also been assisting with non-native invasive plant control on the Bankhead.
• Allison is Acting Ranger on the Bankhead District.  The District Ranger position opening has just been announced and normally takes about 90 days to fill.
• Johnna gave an update on the Alabama Forestry Commission.  The commission is in the process of reorganizing from five regions in the state to three regions.  Retirements are causing staffing shortages statewide.  Tony Avery is planning to retire on September 1st.

Mike Henshaw, Secretary
WCNRC