Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Could Have Major Impact

This imagery from Bing Maps makes me think that the loss of the hemlock trees in North Alabama will have a big impact on our forests.

Above is an image of an area north of the Cranal Road in the Bankhead National Forest.  Clicking on the image should bring up a larger version for detailed viewing.  The photo was made in the winter, when the leaves are off the hardwoods.  The hardwood areas show as gray or brown.  The areas near the creeks are mostly green, and I believe that is due to the evergreen hemlock trees.  There are some green loblolly pine plantation blocks in the lower left of the photo, but they are pretty easy to tell apart from the the hemlock areas. 

 

This is a closer view in the same area.  Here, Hemlock appears to be occupying about 50 percent of the forest.  Hemlocks are a major portion of some forests, and losing them will be a major impact.

More information the hemlock woolly adelgid is located here.

Friends of Clear Creek Organizational Meeting thisThursday at 6:00 pm in St. Francis Chapel, Camp McDowell

For anyone interested in  being a part of a Citizens Group devoted to protecting the health and diversity of Clear Creek, you are invited to an organizational meeting.

Thursday, July 26, 2012
6:00 pm
St. Francis Chapel at Camp McDowell

105 Delong Rd. (also known as County Rd. 10)
Nauvoo, AL 35578

For more information/directions contact Beth Smith
cell/text:  205-910-1585
work:  205-387-1806
email:  pc@campmcdowell.com

Rain Barrel Workshop

A Rain Barrel Workshop will be held Tuesday, August 14,2012 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon in Haleyville at the Alabama Center for Advanced Woodworking Technology.  Please call Winston County Extension office at 205 489-5376 for registration information.  For further information see the complete flyer at:

http://tinyurl.com/75vdwfq 

Minutes July Council Meeting

The Winston County Natural Resources Council Meeting was held on July 19, 2012, at the U. S. Forest Service Office in Double Springs.  Present were Elrand Denson, Allison Cochran, Andy Baril, Tim Malone, David Brown, Wade Hill, Chris Wright, LaVerne Matheson, John Creed, Carl Godsey, Mike Henshaw, and James Burnett.

The following topics were discussed:

• Professional Logging Manager (PLM) Program scheduled for Friday, August 17, 2012, at the Bernice Hilton Walker Building in Double Springs.  One of the speakers from Auburn University that is scheduled to speak is out of travel funds.  The Council agreed to cover his travel from Auburn.  The expected cost is $240.  
• Andy Baril, Regional Extension Agent, introduced himself, and explained that he will be working in this area.  He will be based out of the Walker County Extension Office in Jasper, and will cover several NW Alabama counties.  
• A rain barrel program will be held in Haleyville.  The program is sponsored by the NW RCD Council, the Winston County Extension Office, and the Alabama Center for Advanced Woodworking Technology.  As part of the program, participants will construct a rain barrel that they will take home.
• Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Symposium in Birmingham was discussed, as well as the potential impacts of the insect if it reaches NW Alabama.
• Allison reviewed the successful Youth Fishing Derby.  65 youth participated in both the fishing derby activities and the Wild Turkey Federation's "Jakes" activities.
• The Winston County 4-H Shooting Sports Shotgun team placed 13th in the National 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational in Grand Island, Nebraska.  The team was very appreciative of the financial support they received from the WCNRC.
• Rural Schools funds that the Winston County Commission uses to fund WCNRC activities.
• FAWN Program
• Smith Lake Reservoir Public Meeting to be held on Monday, July 30th.  Issues such as bass size limits for tournaments, and the status of the blue back herring will be discussed at the meeting.  The blue back herring is an invasive fish that has been illegally introduced into the lake.
• Tim and Wade gave an update on the drought relief program from the USDA, and the status of the new Farm Bill legislation that impacts many federal programs.  
• David Brown, WCSLAI, mentioned that he will attend the Alabama Clean Water Partnership Meeting in Tuscaloosa about the health of the Black Warrior River Watershed.
• LaVerne gave an update on the Rise to the Future Award.

Mike Henshaw, Secretary WCNRC
Winston County Extension Coordinator

Smith Lake Public Meeting Flyer

Winston County 4-H Shotgun Team Attends National Shooting Sports Invitational in Grand Island, Nebraska

The Winston County 4-H Shotgun Team recently attended the National 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational held in Grand Island, Nebraska.  The team placed 13^th nationwide, and competed against 25 other teams from all over the United States.  4-H’ers in this program strive to achieve the highest standards of safety, sportsmanship, and ethical behavior.  From left, Kurtis Robinson, Briley Chandler, Devin Wilkins, Caleb Stark, and the team’s coach, Karen Moore.  The Winston County Natural Resources Council helped sponsor the team's trip to Nebraska.

July Council Meeting

The July meeting of the Winston County Natural Resources Council will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 19, 2012, at the U. S. Forest Service Office in Double Springs.