Minutes of May Council Meeting

The Winston County Natural Resources Council met on Thursday, May 19, 2016, at the U. S. Forest Service Office. Members present were. Matt Brock, Mike Henshaw, James Burnett, Kevin Pugh, Allison Cochran, and Jeremy McDonald.
Items discussed included:

• The Winston County Diabetes Support Coalition is seeking a $10,000 grant for diabetes prevention and management.  Part of that funding could be used to support walking trails and other exercise opportunities which could help citizens prevent and manage diabetes.  
• Letter from Charlie Meek leaving the Northwest Alabama RC&D Council.  The WCNRC wishes him the best in retirement and thanks him for his support of the council and the county.  The Northwest Alabama RC&D Council recently was awarded top RC&D Council in the U. S.
• Matt Brock gave a report on the Feral Hog Conference that he attended in South Carolina.  This conference is held every two years, and he plans to attend them in the future.  He said that one of the most promising developments is the possibility of a contraceptive for female hogs.  While not available yet, it is hoped to be an effective, practical control measure.
• 4-H Shooting Sports Shotgun team, which comprised 11 4-H'ers, attended the state shotgun competition in Childersburg.
• Bat Blitz will be held July 24-28, at Jacksonville State.  
• A Resource Allocation Committee (RAC), which controls the way some Forest Service funds may be spent in the county, could be formed soon.  Several people from Winston County have been nominated to serve on this committee.
• Jeremy McDonald said that the Junior Ranger program was attended by about 100 students.  He thanked the council for the approximately $100 to cover transportation expenses for students.  He also gave a report on the FFA Forestry Judging Contests that he was involved in.  He assisted with the county contest and helped train students for the district contests as well.
• Fishing Derby scheduled for Saturday, June 4.  Volunteers are needed.
• Lake Slough Cleanup.  Allison said that one demolition dumpster was filled to capacity and another was partially filled.  A great deal of debris came into the lake from the winter floods. Another cleanup is scheduled for October 6, at the Houston Recreation Area.
• Liaison Panel Meeting scheduled for Thursday, May 19, at 6 p.m. at First National Bank in Double Springs. Among the items for discussion are the stewardship proposals, the recreation working group, collaborative restoration, tick research, and the Black Warrior Wildlife Recreation Area.

Mike Henshaw, Secretary
WCNRC