FAWN Dates for 2008

After consultation with the Haleyville and Winston County School Systems, we have selected the dates for the 2008 FAWN program. They are:

Thursday, October 2nd-Haleyville and Lynn

Friday, October 3rd-Addison, Arley, and Double Springs Schools

Please mark these dates, we will need everyone's assistance to put on a good program. At this point, we do not have a rain date. The rain date would likely have to be several weeks after these dates due to the schools' tight schedules.

Thanks to Johnna for working with the Winston County Schools on the date.

We will work up draft programs for the two dates and get those out soon.

Cogongrass Control Demonstration

Last fall, a patch of cogongrass was discovered in Winston County. Previous infestations of cogongrass had been controlled, and to our knowledge, the county was cogongrass-free. With this new discovery of cogongrass, we could no longer make that claim. As a cooperative effort, the Winston County Natural Resources Council, the Winston County Commission, and the Winston County Extension Office decided to conduct a demonstration about controlling cogongrass.

A 1% solution of imazapyr (Arsenal), was sprayed on the congongrass with a backpack sprayer on October 10, 2007. Because it was so close to winter, the we were not able to tell if the application had been effective. This spring the cogongrass did not leaf out, and in late summer, it was obvious it was dead. Here are some before and after photos.

Minutes of the August Council Meeting

The council met at the U. S. Forest Service Office in Double Springs on August 21st. The following persons were present:

Tim Malone, Mike Henshaw, John Creed, Laverne Matheson, Barry Baird, Glen Gaines, and Allison Cochran.

Allison gave a report on the Bat Blitz that was held at Camp McDowell.

• 30 sites were trapped.
  
• 385 individual bats were caught and measured.
  
• Seven species were caught--Indiana Bat, Gray Bat, Evening Bat, Big Brown Bat, Northern Long-eared Bat, Eastern Pipistrelle, and the Red Bat. Both endangered species, the Gray Bats and Red Bats, were caught.
  
• There were 85 participants from 18 states.
  
• There was extensive media coverage on TV and print.
  

The FAWN program was discussed. The proposed dates are October 2-3, 2008, for the Winston County and Haleyville School Systems. Various stations were discussed. Laverne stated that the Smith Lake Advocacy would teach a stop on Water Quality if needed. Transportation cost will likely have to come from Council funds this year, because no grant funds have been secured. Various civic clubs could be approached about funding transportation for the students from their area.

Laverne Matheson mentioned that there are now at least two sites that people can take swim platforms and old boat docks for disposal year around. He said that platforms could be taken to Jim King's, Tarrie Hyche's, and Free State Boat Docks.

Tim Malone stated that he would be attending Farm Bill Training in October.

Glen Gaines mentioned the following dates for the Bankhead National Forest:

• September 6th - Volunteer Work Day at Owl Creek Horse Camp to install high lines for tying up horses.
  
• September 19-20th - Cross Cut Saw training class for volunteers.
  
• September 27th-2008 Archaeology Festival will be at Brushy Lake Campground on Saturday from 10:00 to 3:00.
  

Barry Baird stated there would be a Youth Dove Hunt September 6th, 2008, in Lawrence County. He also mentioned the Black Bear that was killed by a conservation officer in Athens. He will be meeting with Byron Tuggle at Winston County High School about an Archery Range that could be part of their Outdoor Classroom.

Laverne mentioned that he would be working on a PowerPoint presentation on Water Quality in Winston County that could be used with area youth. He will be getting photos from Winston County to show water quality problems and actions that can be taken to prevent water quality problems.

The next meeting will be held on September 18th, 2008, at the U. S. Forest Service Office in Double Springs.

Mike Henshaw
Secretary