WCNRC July Meeting Minutes

Members Present: Allison Cochran, Chair, Mike Henshaw, Vice-Chair, Kerri Roberts, Secretary, John Creed, Zack Brannon, Jason Harris, Andy Baril. Guests: Mark Finley, Doug Chapman

* Mark Finley with the Alabama Treasure Forest Association, reported that the $770 appropriated for the Land Owner Workshop in Winston County would be available in 2020 since the WCNRC would not be able to host a workshop in 2019.  Allison thanked him for coming to the meeting and for the funds for next year and stated that our council definitely has plans to host a landowner workshop next year. Hopefully, it will be at Bill Self's property. She reminded the council that Andy Baril had volunteered to lead those efforts.  Allison also noted that we would like to work with Mark to involve more private landowners as our council could always use more private landowner members.

*  Allison noted that Sheree Hamilton is the new forest supervisor and will take over the RAC duties.  On the RAC topic, Mike Henshaw reported that there will be RAC funds available again, but not until September 2020.  Proposal applications will open June 2020. $70,000 will be appropriated for Winston County National Forest proposals. Be thinking about those now. Some that have been mentioned are forest road improvements, Caney Creek Falls improvement, Brushy Creek Public Access off the private property on 63.

*  Doug Chapman, Extension Specialist with Commercial Horticulture, joined our meeting to get our council up to speed on what is going on with Chinquapin trees. He says there may be an Alabama species that differs from the Allegheny and Ozark species. There is research going on with these trees. They are trying to locate any specimen in west Alabama. They are easiest to spot by their bloom which occurs in May/June. For more information visit the Ozark Chinquapin Foundation youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYLWMTTEAeTvZFQzqlT886g

*  Kerri Roberts reported this chinquapin project fits nicely into a new format within 4-H of Citizen Science and that a collaborative effort may be able to happen with 4-H'ers and Doug's research locating these rare trees. 

*  Zack Brannon informed the council that Winston County Soil and Water gave us $1000 for FAWN. He is contacting the Alabama Conservation Officers for a donation as well. No dates have been set for FAWN as of yet, but he is working on it.

*  Allison reported the Bats and Forest Workshop is upcoming in Cleburne County. It will be September 10, at the Heflin Mountain Center.

*  Andy Baril informed us that there will be a PLM meeting for Loggers and Foresters in Walker County September 11, at Bevil State. The meeting is free. There will also be a Deer Management Workshop in Bibb County August 16, at Sawmill Restaurant.

*  Allison informed all that the Turkey Federation did refund the money owed from the Fishing Derby to the council. All finances have been squared away from the Derby.

The meeting adjourned. Next meeting August 15, 9:00 a.m.