FAWN Programs Held at Houston Recreation Area

The 2010 Winston County FAWN Program was held on October 13 and 14, at the Houston Recreation Area in the Bankhead National Forest. 335 sixth graders attended the outdoor field days that included eight learning stations on a variety of natural resource and safety topics. Photos for the FAWN for the Addison, Double Springs, and Lynn Schools are available here. The photos for the FAWN program for the Haleyville and Meek Schools are available here. Thanks to all the partners that work together to provide the FAWN program for all Winston County sixth graders. Here's a partial list of the sponsors:

AL Cooperative Extension System/Winston County Office
AL Dept. of Conservation & Natural Resources
Alabama Forestry Commission
Cradle of Forestry
Forest Stewardship Education Committee
Gateway Foods, Double Springs
Haleyville Board of Education
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
Northwest Alabama RC&D Council
Regional Paramedical Services
Soil & Water Conservation District/Winston County Office
U. S. Forest Service, Bankhead National Forest
Winston County Assign-A-Highway
Winston County Board of Education
Winston County Commission
Winston County Emergency Management
Winston County Farmers Federation
Winston County Natural Resources Council
Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy Inc.

Article in local Times Daily on White-nose syndrome in bats

Check out this Times Daily article about the spread of white-nose syndrome in bats towards Alabama.

http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20101004/news/101009935

Professional Logging Managers and Foresters Course

The Alabama Center for Advanced Woodworking Technology is hosting a Professional Logging Managers and Foresters Course in Haleyville on Tuesday, October 12, 2010.  You can see the agenda for the program by clicking on this link. 

U. S. Forest Service Restricts Fire Use in Bankhead National Forest

Montgomery, AL (September 28, 2010) ---- Because of the extreme dry conditions that can possibly lead to wildfires, the U.S. Forest Service is alerting all forest users to be aware of specific public fire use restrictions in Alabama’s national forests. Forest Supervisor Miera C. Nagy recently signed an order that prohibits the use of fire in wilderness areas in the Bankhead and Talladega National Forests.

To protect the public and natural resources from the threat of wildfires, the following public restrictions are effective September 24, 2010 and will remain in effect until October 31, 2010:

Bankhead National Forest – Sipsey Wilderness; Talladega National Forest (Talladega and Shoal Creek Districts) - Dugger Wilderness and Cheaha Wilderness

• Building, maintaining, attending, using a fire or campfire (wood or charcoal) at any wilderness area located on the Bankhead, Shoal Creek, and Talladega Ranger Districts of the National Forests in Alabama; except, the use of gas generated fire in a Coleman-type or backpacking stove will be allowed throughout the Sipsey, Dugger, and Cheaha Wilderness Areas on the Bankhead, Shoal Creek, and Talladega Ranger Districts. 36 CFR 261.52(a).
• Violating any state law concerning burning or fires which are implemented for the purpose of preventing or restricting the spread of fires. 36 CFR 261.52(k)
• Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50 (e), the following persons are exempt from the order: Any federal, state, local officer or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting team or those holding a permit specifically authorizing the use of fire.

Anyone found violating any of these prohibitions might face a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization or imprisonment for not more than six months or both.

Forest Service officials advise that if you are planning to spend a few days in the national forest, you should look for changes in restrictions, which could change according to fire weather conditions. Human-caused fires can be reduced during these very dry conditions when everyone work together to prevent wildfires.

For information concerning any public restrictions and closure orders, please contact a U.S. Forest Service district office before visiting: Bankhead District (205) 489-5111, Conecuh District (334) 222-2555, Shoal Creek District (256) 463-2272; Talladega District (256) 362-2909; Oakmulgee District (205) 926-9765; and the Tuskegee District (334) 727-2652.

2010 Archaeofest at Brushy Lake

Here's a short video from the 2010 Archaeofest held at Brushy Lake in the Bankhead National Forest.  Despite the threat of rain, many exhibitors and participants showed up to enjoy this event.  Jean Allan, District Archaeologist, the Bankhead National Forest staff, and scores of volunteers pitched in to host a successful family-friendly event.



Photos have been posted here from this year's Archaeofest.

The Winston County Natural Resources Council was one of the sponsors of the event, providing the food and refreshments at no cost to participants.

Four New Cost-Share Practices Announced by Winston County Soil and Water Conservation District

Dianne Godsey, District Administrative Coordinator with the Winston County Soil and Water Conservation District, said that four new cost-share practices have been approved for Winston County landowners.  These new practices are Treatment of Invasive Species such as privet and kudzu, Plastic Culture for Vegetable Crops, Feral Hog Trap, and Treatment of Poultry Litter with Alum.  All of the practices have a 60% cost-share rate, meaning that 60% of the cost of implementing the practice is covered by the Soil and Water Conservation District and 40% is paid by the landowner.  Call Dianne Godsey at (205) 489-5227 for details about these new practices.

Cattle Poisoned by Perilla Mint

I have gotten a number of calls about cattle being poisoned by perilla mint.  Dr. David Tyree, veterinarian and owner of Animal Health Services in Addison, told me that he knows of over 130 head of cattle that have been killed by perilla mint poisoning in this area.  Dr. Tyree said the symptoms of perilla mint poisoning are pneumonia, difficulty breathing, drooling, nasal discharge, and grunting upon exhaling.   He added that treatment is difficult and often unsuccessful.  Perilla mint is poisonous to cattle, goats, sheep, and horses.

The drought that we are experiencing is a major factor in the severity of this problem this year.  The plant is always present on Winston County farms, but the drought has driven the cattle to feed on this plant even though it is unpalatable.  Other poisonous plants may also become a problem if the drought continues.
 
We have a publication about perilla mint that is available free of charge by calling our office at (205) 489-5376 or by visiting our office in the John Nichols Building in Double Springs.

Mr. John Sudduth, a Winston County cattleman, explains how to identify perilla mint in this video that we made in a Winston County pasture.