Wild Pig Management Workshop Planned For September 14th near Addison. FREE EVENT. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Call 205 489 5376

Winston County Natural Resources Council Bylaws

BYLAWS WINSTON COUNTY NATURAL RESOURCES COUNCIL Drafted February 1, 2021 Approved August 19, 2021 Preamble Winston County has many outstanding qualities. The spirit of cooperation which exists among government agencies, forest landowners and private organizations with natural resources interests is one of them. A number of federal, state, and county agencies in Winston County, as elsewhere, have authority to address natural resource issues. It is important that these agencies cooperate with each other and with private forest resource interests for the benefit of the County, in general and the natural resources, in particular. Name and Affiliation The name of this organization is the Winston County Natural Resources Council, previously known as the Winston County Forestry Planning Committee. This organization is affiliated with the Alabama Natural Resources Council. Purpose and Mission The Winston County Natural Resource Council (WCNRC) was organized sometime in the 1980’s. The mission of the WCNRC has evolved based upon the needs and goals of the members. The mission is to promote sound, sustainable natural resources management in Winston County and surrounding areas. Vision The mission is implemented through these working principles, our vision; Promote an awareness of the values and abundance of natural resources in Alabama, specifically in Winston County and surrounding areas. Promote an awareness of natural resources management techniques and programs available to landowners and organizations. Promote an awareness of ecological relationships and interdependence, specifically related to healthy forests and ecosystems and pests or threats. Provide natural resources education to adults and children. Establish and maintain good communications and a spirit of cooperation among government entities, landowners, private organizations, and user groups who have responsibilities and interests in natural resources. Develop, foster and mentor natural resources leaders in our community. Motto Promoting wise stewardship of Alabama’s natural resources, particularly those in Winston County. Officers, Election Process and Terms Officer positions include Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. Nominations will be made from members for officers at the end of their terms. These nominations will be presented at the January meeting for a vote. The officers are elected at the January meeting and assume their positions immediately thereafter. Terms are for two years. Terms are off set for continuity of officers. Chair and Secretary shall be nominated and approved in even years and Vice Chair and Treasurer shall be in odd years. Officer elections are documented in meeting notes. Four consecutive absences by an officer will result in the ability of the other officers to revoke title at which time nominations will be taken to fill that role. Once nominations have been made and a majority vote received by members present for the new officer they will assume their positions immediately thereafter. Membership Membership is determined by the WCNRC. Membership is open to all federal, state, and county agencies, institutions and private organizations and citizens with forest and natural resource interests. The acceptance of a membership is subject to the approval of the WCNRC, consensus of members present. Membership is documented in meeting notes. Meetings Regular meetings of the WCNRC are monthly. Meetings are held on the third Thursday of every month. Additional meetings may be held as necessary. Deviations to meeting schedules may be made by members, for example not to hold a December meeting or to meet at FAWN in lieu of an October meeting, but at least 6 meetings per year shall be held. Quorum A simple majority of the WCNRC membership present at a meeting constitutes a quorum for the purpose of transacting business at all regular and special meetings. Voting For all matters of business, a simple majority approval of the total WCNRC membership shall govern the action of the Council. Special Committees Special committees may be appointed by the Chair of the WCNRC with approval by WCNRC members. The duties of all special committees are described by the WCNRC at the time of their appointment. Such committees cease to function at the time the work assignment is completed. There are no standing Special Committees. Annual Work Plan The WCNRC officers and committee chairs (if any) communicate prior to the January meeting to discuss the annual work of the WCNRC. Any work plans developed by the standing committees will be presented for approval at the January meeting. These work plans will be the foundation from which the WCNRC will set goals for the coming year. Finance Funds of the Winston County Natural Resources Council shall be under the supervision and handled by the Treasurer. The financial records shall be periodically examined by an independent CPA and a WCNRC member. An annual report to the membership of calendar-year income and expenses with starting and ending balances is shared at the January meeting and for tax reporting. Funds are held in a federally-insured savings and loan association. Funds are derived from donations, work projects (such as tree sales or workshop registrations), and grants. Annual tax filings, where required by law, are done through an independent CPA and reported to the membership by the IRS deadline. In addition to the Treasurer, one other member shall be named on and have access to the bank account, checks, and records. That second member has no term and is available to support the Council in the Treasurer’s absence. Amendments Amendments to the bylaws may be adopted at any meeting of the WCNRC by a simple majority of the total membership.

Alabama Landowners Conference set for October 21-22 in Columbiana

The 2021 Alabama Landowners Conference and Alabama Natural Resources Council Awards Banquest is scheduled for October 21-22 in Columbiana. This year's conference includes landowner tours, plus information on longleaf management, turkey management, agency updates, carbon credits, using private contractors and forest health. Preregistration is required. Visit https://www.treasureforest.org/education/annual-conference/for more information and to register.

Alabama Prescribed Fire Council's Annual Meeting Scheduled for September 9th

The Alabama Prescribe Fire Council will host a virtual annual meeting on September 9, 2021. The theme this year is Fire Effect! To register, visit alaforestry.org/events. The cost is $35.

Minutes for August 19, 2021

The Winston County Natural Resources Council met Thursday, August 19, 2021, at the pavilion at the Houston Recreation Area. Those in attendance were Allison Cochran, John Creed, P.J. Gossett, Zack Brannon, Mark Finley, Maggie Johnston, Mike Henshaw, Jamie Seagrove and Casey Hammack.

Sponsored by the Alabama Forestry Commission, the U.S. Forest Service, Alabama Extension and the Winston County Natural Resources Council, a wild pig management workshop will be conducted Tuesday, Sept. 14, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Grant Hayes’ farm at 22 National Forest Road 266 in Addison.

The workshop will cover wild pig history, biology, ecology, implications to humans and livestock, trapping techniques, trap designs and removal methods.

“We have Rollins Jolly with the forest service who is bringing a couple of different types of traps to set up,” Zack Brannon, Winston County Extension agent, said. “Grant Hayes’ farm at Addison already has traps set up that he is currently using to combat the problem he has. Rollins will go through the history and biology.” Brannon continued by mentioning a hand washing station will be available and regional Extension agent Paul Vining from Lawrence County will be attending.

“He’s going to dive in to the damage in pastures and hay fields aspect of the workshop,” Brannon said.

The workshop is free, though attendees are asked to RSVP to the Winston County Extension Office by calling (205) 489-5376 by Friday, Sept. 10. Lunch (barbecue) and snacks will be provided. To get to the workshop, turn north on County Road 41 at the main intersection in Addison. Travel 3.6 miles and turn left onto NFR 266 at the Looney’s Tavern historical marker. Then turn right at the first driveway and keep left.

Also discussed at the WCNRC meeting Thursday, Aug. 19, was the upcoming Forestry Awareness Week Now event usually held in October. Plans for the event are difficult to make with the current Delta spike of the COVID-19, since schools will not know their situation at the time. It was decided to have the next council meeting at the wild pig workshop on Sept. 14, at 8 a.m. and to decide on FAWN then. “I have to get a better answer from the individual schools and principals,” Brannon said. “We don’t have a date set, but we were looking between the first and second full week of October.”

There are multiple stations for FAWN every year, and this year four of these stations are no longer available by those who normally do them. Andy Baril, who did the “flag-a-tree” station, has retired, while the water erosion table station is unavailable due to the pandemic. Charles Brannon, who worked the beekeeping station, passed away recently. With Kerri Roberts accepting the 4-H agent position in Cullman County, either the GPS or River Kids station will have a vacant instructor.

After discussion, it was learned other instructors and a watershed trailer will be able to fill these stations.

“We’re going to plug and play,” Brannon added, who also mentioned he had extra funds available from a grant which fell through. The money can be used for FAWN and the fishing derby. He said he has set aside $5,000 for FAWN and $2,500 for the fishing derby.

Allison Cochran, chair of the council, mentioned Roberts leaving the county. This leaves the secretary position for the WCNRC open. After a discussion, Treasurer P.J. Gossett agreed to be the interim secretary. He gave the treasurer’s report, which has a balance of $8,065.15 for the council.

Cochran mentioned the Alabama Landowner Conference will be taking place Oct. 21-22 at the 4-H Center in Columbiana. In addition to the conference, the Alabama Natural Resources Council will be having an awards banquet. The conference includes longleaf management, turkey management, agency updates, carbon credits, using private contractors and forest health. For registration and information, visit treasureforest.org.

Bylaws have been circulated electronically to members of the WCNRC. Everyone had the opportunity to read them beforehand. Cochran asked for a vote to set the bylaws in place. Maggie Johnston of Wild Alabama made a motion with Brannon seconding, making the bylaws official. Cochran said she has not made any progress with the non-profit status yet but promises to continue working on it.

The council welcomed new forester Jamie Seagrove who attended the meeting. He came from Pike County, though he was originally from Cullman.

Retired Extension agent Mike Henshaw is now the current co-chair for Resource Advisory Council, which concerns taxes and the national forests.

The land the boat launch near Double Springs on the Sipsey is on has been leased to the county recently. This is the Mims property, which is in a land trust.

“I have already gotten an estimated bid from the county engineer to do the work they would do there,” Brannon said. “It’s just road access to allow individuals a safer and better way (to get to the water).”

Casey Hammack mentioned the Alabama Forestry Commission has had some site prep projects lately.

Johnston discussed a 190 acre section of land in Lawrence County bordering the forest that came up for auction in the last couple of weeks. The owner is working with a board member of Wild Alabama to see if the land can be combined with the forest or even the Sipsey Wilderness.

A clean water workshop will be at Camp McDowell on Sept. 1. from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Brannon said. A registration link is available on the WCNRC blog at wcnrc.blogspot.com.

Council Meeting Thursday, August 19

The Winston County Natural Resources Council will hold our regular monthly meeting on Thursday, August 19th at 0900 at the Houston Recreation Area Day Use Pavilion.

 Winston County Landowner Tour

September 1, 2021 8:00am - 3:00pm at Camp McDowell

We all live in a watershed even though we may not realize it. Put simply, a watershed includes all land that drains into a body of water. Majority of Alabama residents gets their drinking water from rivers and runoff. As rainwater flows to the nearest downslope body of water is comes in contact with anything we pour, drop, or place on the ground. This body of water could be on your Tree Farm, fishing pond, or your town’s water source. 

 Alabama Tree Farm System invite you to attend their Winston County landowner Tour. This outdoor tour will include tips and tools landowners can use to ensure their forest is healthy resulting in clean water for everyone. Topics include ways to improve your forest through Forest management, Pond management and Certifications. Lunch and door prizes are provided so register to join us. Also, CFE and PLM credits will be awarded to attendees needing continuing education credits. 

 5 PLM and 5 CFE Category 1 credits will be offered 

For more information contact Brad Nail at 334-481-2154 or bnail@alaforestry.org   

Online Registration: Alabama Forestry Association (alaforestry.org)