Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Pollinator Conservation Short Course

Pollinator Conservation Planning Short Course
Cullman, Alabama
July 30, 2013
9:00 am - 4:00 pm CDT
Pollinators are essential to our environment. The ecological service they provide is necessary for the reproduction of more than 85 percent of the world's flowering plants and is fundamental to agriculture and natural ecosystems. More than two-thirds of the world's crop species are dependent on pollination, with an annual estimated value of $18 to $27 billion in the United States alone. Beyond agriculture, pollinators are keystone species in most terrestrial ecosystems, since their activities are ultimately responsible for the seeds and fruits that feed everything from songbirds to black bears. Conservation of pollinating insects is critically important to preserving both wider biodiversity, as well as agriculture.

In many places, however, this essential service is at risk. In 2006, the National Academy of Sciences released the report Status of Pollinators in North America, which called attention to the decline of pollinators. The report urged agencies and organizations to increase awareness and protect pollinator habitat. The Pollinator Conservation Planning Short Course was developed to address this need.
Introductory topics include the principles of pollinator biology, the economics of insect pollination, basic bee field identification, and evaluating pollinator habitat. Advanced modules will cover land management practices for pollinator protection, pollinator habitat restoration, incorporating pollinator conservation into federal conservation programs, selection of plants for pollinator enhancement sites, management of natural landscapes, and financial and technical resources to support these efforts. Throughout the short course these training modules are illustrated by case studies of pollinator conservation efforts across the country.
Registrants will receive the Xerces Society's Pollinator Conservation Toolkit which includes Xerces' latest book, Attracting Native Pollinators. Protecting North America's Bees and Butterflies, as well as habitat management guidelines and relevant USDA-NRCS and extension publications.

The Xerces Society is offering similar Pollinator Conservation Planning Short Courses across the country. Visit our online events page to view up-to-date short course information. If you would like to receive announcements about upcoming short courses, please email shortcourses@xerces.org. Be sure to include the following information: name, affiliation, mailing address, phone number, and the state(s) for which you would like to receive announcements.

Click on the following link Cullman Pollinator Short Course to learn more and to register.

Friday, June 14, 2013

Woodland Management for North Alabama


All,

I am working with Forestry Extension Specialist Becky Barlow to host a Woodland Management workshop on September 10th, 2013, at Redstone Arsenal. This will be an excellent workshop for forest owners, whether they have forestry experience or not. It will have a heavy field component in the afternoon, and lunch will be provided.

Please help advertise over the next few months in as many ways as possible. 

I have attached the flyer, and here is a link to online registration: https://mell-base.uce.auburn.edu/CourseStatus.awp?&course=C130910A


Thanks, please contact me if you have any questions.
 
Sincerely, 

Spenser E. Bradley
Regional Extension Agent, Tennessee Valley Region

Monday, June 3, 2013

Land Use Changes Over Time

Google Earth has placed Landsat satellite images from 1984 to 2012 into a global time lapse.  By zooming into the Northwest Alabama area, the user can watch changes to the landscape over time.  Logging, mining, and road building activities are visible.  The April 27, 2011 tornado tracks show up in the 2011 and 2012 images.  Here's a link to the site centered on Northwest Alabama:

http://earthengine.google.org/#timelapse/v=34.2434,-87.66562,8.5,latLng&t=1.19


Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Renew Our Rivers Lake Clean-up Scheduled for Winston County on June 19 & 20

Please join us for a Renew Our Rivers Clean-up on Smith Lake on June 19 & 20.  The Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy, Alabama Power Company and Bankhead National Forest are sponsoring a clean-up around the Yellow Creek Area (Yellow Creek, Sipsey and Brushy) to target trash created and deposited in the lake from this year's wind storms.  We will meet at 9 AM at the Old Yellow Creek Marina at the END of County Road 61 in Houston.  Bring lunch, water and sunscreen.  Special thanks to Carl Godsey for hosting the clean-up and Hyche LLC for providing the dumpster.

Please note we will not accept large trash, structures of any kind (old boat houses, piers, etc) or household garbage.  This clean-up is focused on removing small hand trash and debris from the lake.

Contacts
Allison Cochran, 205-489-5111
David Brown, 256-747-2109

Free Fishing Derby Saturday

Please remember and spread the word about Saturday's Free Kids Fishing Derby.
Join in the fun on Saturday, June 1.  The Annual Kids Fishing Derby is held at the Bankhead National Forest's Black Warrior Work Center on Highway 33 between Double Springs and Moulton.  Children ages 5 - 12, accompanied by an adult, should bring gear and bait for a day of catfishing!  Children can compete in the casting contest, fish for catfish, enjoy the National Wild Turkey Federation's Jake's Take Aim Shooting Gallery, and win door prizes.  Registration begins at 8:30 and lunch is served around noon.  We hope to see all area youth this Saturday!

The Annual Kids Fishing Derby is made possible by partnership with a number of local organizations.  We thank the Bankhead National Forest, Alabama Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries, the Double Springs Lions Club, the National Wild Turkey Federation Sipsey Strutters and Bankhead Beards and Spurs, the Alabama Conservation Enforcement Officers Association, the Winston County Natural Resources Council, the Winston County Commission and many many other volunteers and businesses!

Friday, May 24, 2013

The Wildlife Society's Position Paper on Feral Swine


At the recent Feral Swine Working Group meeting held at the Bankhead District Office, it was mentioned that The Wildlife Society had a position paper about feral swine.  This document is a good place to start when learning about the effect of feral swine on our natural resources.  The document is available on their website.

Guide to Hunting Feral Swine on the Bankhead National Forest


A guide to hunting feral swine on the Bankhead National Forest is available on the
U. S. Forest Service website.