Minutes of WCNRC January Council Meeting

Bruce Jackson, ACAWT, points out special carbide tooling.

The Winston County Natural Resources Council met on January 19, 2012, at the Center for Advanced Woodworking Technology in Haleyville.  Present were:  Tony Avery, Jimmy Glasgow, Mike Henshaw, Chris Wright, Johnna Franks, James Burnett, John Creed, Allison Cochran, Lorenzo Walton, Blake Addison, Jeremy McDonald, Travis McDonald, LaVerne Matheson, Bruce Jackson, and Elrand Denson.

Bruce Jackson and James Glasgow led a tour of the Alabama Center for Advance Woodworking Technology (ACAWT).  The tour began with an introductory video of the center's capabilities.  Then, Bruce Jackson and James Glasgow gave a tour of the center which included the video production lab, the solid wood lab, the maintenance area, the panel processing lab, the computer lab, the CNC trainer lab, the finishing lab, and the classroom. Here are few photos from the tour of the center.

After the tour, the council had a brief meeting in the classroom.  LaVerne Matheson, Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy Inc., gave the council an update on the use of bacteria testing when evaluating water quality.  While the test is considered an accurate measure of water quality, the test is not currently used by the Alabama Department of Public Health.  LaVerne is trying to get policy makers to take a look at more extensive use of bacteria testing by the health department.

Johnna Franks, Treasurer, said that she would like to resign as Treasurer of the Council.  She stated the there was a balance of $7,309.74.

The Council will sponsor an Arbor Week Tree Give Away on Thursday, February 23, at 9:00 a.m. at the Forestry Commission Office.  Council members are asked to arrive at least 30 minutes early to prepare for the event.  Last year, there was a large group of people to pick up trees, but only three council members present at the beginning of the sale.  Please make plans to attend.

Elrand said there will be a Bankhead Liaison Panel Meeting on Thursday, February 23, at the Moulton Recreation Center, at 6:00 p.m.

Jeremy McDonald mentioned plans for a Junior Ranger Program this spring at the Payne Creek Demo Site.

Mike Henshaw, Secretary
WCNRC

January Council Meeting

The January meeting of the Winston County Natural Resources Council will be held on Thursday, January 19, 2012, at 9:00 a.m., at the Center for Advanced Woodworking Technology in Haleyville.  As part of our meeting, we will tour the Center.  The mission of the Center is to facilitate the growth and development of  Alabama's secondary wood processing industries.  After the tour, we will have a council meeting starting at 10 a.m. in the Center's conference room.

The Center is located on Hwy 129 in Haleyville.  For driving directions to the Center, visit this link.

Bruce Jackson at the Center asked everyone to park in parking lot #1, and to enter through door #1.

Timber Tax Webinar Available

A Timber Tax Update free webinar is scheduled for February 1, 2012.

December Meeting of WCNRC

WCNRC Hog Trapping Demonstration

The Winston County Natural Resources Council met on December 15th, at the Bankhead National Forest Office in Double Springs.  Members present were, Jeremy McDonald, Lorenzo Walton, James Burnett, Allison Cochran, Mike Henshaw, John Creed, Tom Counts, and Travis McDonald.

The following topics were discussed:

• Invasive plant control-various sprayers used
• Brown's Ferry Nuclear Power Plant Ingestion Pathway Exercise-James Burnett
• "More Kids in the Woods" Grant Proposal-Allison Cochran
• Auburn University School of Forestry Advisory Council Report-Tom Counts, AU Advisory Council Member
• Future Outings Planned for Council-(Tentative Dates Below)
• Center for Advanced Woodworking Technology in Haleyville-January 19, 2012
• Cane Creek Preserve in Colbert County-April 19, 2012
• Burnett Quail Farm near Addison-June 21, 2012
• FAWN Program Article by Allison Cochran in Smith Lake Living magazine

After the general discussion, the group visited a variety of internet web pages such as Facebook sites, blogs focusing on feral hogs, and maps of hog activity in the region.  After discussing various possibilities, the group decided that more thought would be needed on how to create a good informational site related to feral hogs in this area.  Additional team members are needed that are knowledgeable about Facebook, and more help will be needed from the Black Warrior Wildlife Management Area.  Since new personnel are being hired at this time on the Black Warrior WMA, we'll wait to involve the new WMA manager in any future "hogblog" type effort.  For now, there will be additional links on hogs added to the WCNRC blog.

December WCNRC Meeting

The December meeting of the Winston County Natural Resources Council will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 15, 2011, at the U. S. Forest Service Office in Double Springs.  At the last meeting, there was some interest in looking into a "hogblog" or a similar effort to help educate the public about feral swine in the Bankhead area.  Such topics as control measures, hunting opportunities, damage maps, and other information about hogs would be available online for those interested in feral hogs.  At this meeting, the council will look at some possibilities to help get the word out about feral swine in this area.

FAWN Program Featured in Smith Lake Living Magazine

The Winston County FAWN (Forestry Awareness Week Now) program was highlighted in the latest copy of Smith Lake Living magazine.  The article was written by Allison Cochran, and also features photos by the magazine's editor, Eddie Hand.  The FAWN program is featured prominently on the magazine's cover photo, on right.  We'll have a copy of the magazine on hand at the next council meeting.

Alabama Forestry Association Meetings

Mary Ellen Edwards asked me to help get the word out about these Alabama Forestry Association Meetings in our area.  Here is the information that she sent me:

December 6, Tuesday, Tuscumbia, AL

6:00 pm

Cost Share Program and Legislative Update

Meal provided

$5.00 for AFA members and $10.00 for non members

Bevill Center for Environmental Technology

1011 George Wallace Boulevard

Tuscumbia, AL

December 8, Thursday, Decatur, AL

6:00 pm

Cost Share Program and Legislative Update

Meal provided

$5.00 for AFA members and $10.00 for non members

McCollum’s Catfish and Seafood Restaurant

2101 Gordon Terry Parkway

Decatur, AL

Please confirm reservation with Lisa Martin 334 481-2120 or contact her with any questions.