Thursday, March 30, 2017

Pine Bark Beetles



March Council Meeting Minutes



The March meeting of the Winston County Natural Resources Council was held at the U. S. Forest Service Office in Double Springs.  Present were Mike Henshaw, Allison Cochran, Kerri Roberts, Andy Scott, and Andy Baril.  The following topics were discussed:

  • Resource Allocation Committee (RAC) - Mike explained about the upcoming RAC proposals that will be submitted to the committee in Montgomery.  Winston County has approximately $71,000 allocated to projects that will take place in the county.  At least half of those projects are to be used for maintenance of existing roads and trails, and all of the projects should be of some benefit to the U. S. Forest Service lands.  In order to coordinate the proposals that will be submitted from the county, the Winston County Commission (including the road department), and the U. S. Forest Service have a joint meeting planned for April 10, after the regular county commission meeting to discuss proposal priorities.  It is expected that there will be a great deal more projects than there will be RAC funds to complete them, 
  • The council agreed to support the Winston County 4-H Shotgun Team up to $200 for expenses to attend the State 4-H Shotgun Competition in Childersburg.
  • The Alabama Invasive Plant Conference will be held on May 3, in Alexander City.
  • Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy will have a meeting at 6:00 p.m., on May 5, at the Traders and Farmers Bank Building in Arley.
  • The council agreed to provide up to $150 for transportation of Double Springs youth to the Payne Creek Demonstration Area for the Junior Ranger program.
  • A WCSLAI Lake Clean Up will be held on April 26 and 27, at Corinth Boat Ramp.
  • Council discussed construction at Lakeshore.
  • Andy mentioned the on-going project with the State Lands that will be transferred to the Winston County Board of Education.  He has visited the property with the Agriscience instructors to get ideas for possible opportunities to use the property in the Agriscience programs.
  • The Firewise Youth Fishing Derby will be held on June 10, at the Black Warrior Work Center.
  • Pine beetles continue to be a cause for concern across Alabama, according to Andy Baril.  A rapid increase in damage due to pine beetles is a possibility.  
Mike Henshaw, Secretary
WCNRC

Walker County Landowner Tour


Monday, March 13, 2017

March Council Meeting

The Winston County Natural Resources Council will meet at 9:00 a.m., on Thursday, March 16, at the U. S. Forest Service Office in Double Springs.

Thanks,

Mike Henshaw,
Secretary

Pine Beetle Article

Article on AL.com featuring experts from Auburn University's School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Alabama Forestry Commission, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and private forest industry experts.

http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2017/03/alabama_foresters_fear_major_b.html

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Minutes of February Meeting


The Winston County Natural Resources Council met on February 16, 2017, at the U. S. Forest Service Office.  Present were Mike Henshaw, Allison Cochran, Andy Scott, James Burnett, Andy Baril, and Kerri Roberts.  The following items were discussed:

  • Tree Sale to be held on Wednesday, February 22
  • Balance according to Johnna is $7,576.89
  • Travel plans to attend the Alabama Natural Resources Landowner Symposium and Awards Banquet.
  • Approved purchase of Firewise Banner for events.
  • Approved $200 to support a Firewise Event at the 4-H County Round-Up at the Municipal Building in May.
  • Pruning Workshop on February 23
  • Possible boat ramp projects in the county.
  • Discussion of State Lands near Houston to be transferred to the Winston County Board of Education.
  • Bankhead Liaison Panel Meeting in Moulton on Thursday, March 2, at 6 p.m., at Recreation Center.
  • Andy Scott is serving as interim District Ranger until March 3, possibly longer.
  • 15,000 acres of prescribed burning planned on Bankhead National Forest.
  • Safety issues and rules of the road concerning bicycles on Forest Service Roads.
Mike Henshaw,
Secretary, WCNRC

Bankhead Liaison Panel Meeting Scheduled for March 2

The next meeting of the Bankhead Liaison Panel will be held Thursday, March 2, 2017. The meeting will begin at 6:00 PM at the Moulton Recreation Center. The Moulton Recreation Center at Alexander Park is located at 13550 Court Street. The meeting will adjourn by 8:00 PM. The meeting topics include Bankhead National Forest Health and Restoration updates, Summary of the Recreation Working Group progress, feral swine program updates; and Liaison Panel business. All members of the public interested in the Bankhead National Forest are invited to the Bankhead Liaison Panel meetings. If you have any questions, please call the District Office at 205-489-5111.