August Council Meeting Minutes

The Winston County Natural Resources Council met on August 15, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. at the U. S. Forest Service Office in Double Springs.  Present were John Creed, Jeremy McDonald, Mike Henshaw, and Allison Cochran.

Several members were attending the Soil and Water Conservation Districts Regional Meeting in Hamilton.

Johnna Franks, Treasurer, text messaged that the balance in the treasury was $13,769.54.

• John Creed gave an update on Al Tucker, retired U. S. Forest Service employee, who has been undergoing treatment for a serious condition.  John said that Al's treatments have been successful and he's improving.
• Rock Creek Watershed Management Meeting will be held on August 15, at 6 p.m., in Addison, at the Traders and Farmers Bank.
• Report on Planting Wildlife Food Plots Program
• Invasive Plant Control Program will be held from 9 a.m to noon on September 4, at Rocky Ravine Park in Haleyville.
• Recreational Fish Pond Management Program will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, September 18, at Jeanie Lake in Double Springs.
• Management of Feral Swine in Winston County workshop will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, October 3, at the Double Springs Municipal Building.
• A Pasture Walk and Rotational Grazing Demonstration will be on Saturday, September 21, from 9 a.m. to noon at Lake Country Farm in Arley.
• Allison reported on the Herbicide Workshop that was held at the Moreland Community Center recently.  The program featured several experts on herbicides and their environmental effects.  A field tour to a herbicide demonstration area in the Collier watershed was part of the tour.
• Next Liaison meeting will be held at 6 p.m., on August 29, in Double Springs at the Traders and Farmers Bank.  This meeting will feature a presentation by Shannon Holdbrooks, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, about "at risk" species.
• I gave a presentation to an inservice training for various agencies about the Winston County Natural Resources Council.  Several other counties are attempting to form natural resources councils.
• Discussion of the Alabama Natural Resources Council's mission statement, and possible WCNRC mission statement.
• PLM's and CFE's for council meetings
• Winston County TREASURE Forest Association status
• Allison reported on a pollinator workshop that she attended in Cullman that was sponsored by the Xerces Society and NRCS.
• Ernie Stephens, Conservation Enforcement Officer, will be speaking at a Hunters Seminar being sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Winston County.  The program and BBQ meal is $10 per person and will be held on Saturday, August 24, at the Winston County High School Cafeteria at 6 p.m. Tickets are available Traders and Farmers Bank in Haleyville and Double Springs, and the First National Bank in Double Springs.

Mike Henshaw, Secretary
WCNRC