Minutes February Meeting

The Winston County Natural Resources Council met at the U. S. Forest Service Office in Double Springs on February 18, 2016.  Andy Baril, Mike Henshaw, and James Burnett were present.  The following items were discussed:

• W. Kelly Mosley Environmental Achievement Award Presentation for John and Mary Sudduth at the Alabama Natural Resources Council Awards Banquet.
• Possible future nominees for Helene Mosley TREASURE Forest Award and W. Kelly Mosley Environmental Achievement Award.
• Disaster Education Program for Winston County Youth.  Will be partnership between 4-H program, Winston County Emergency Management Agency, and the Winston County Commission.
• Update on 4-H Centennial Youth Initiative (CYI) status.  Winston County Extension Office has successfully completed the application process and should receive CYI status soon, which should include additional staffing for the Winston County Extension Office.
• Mission Statement for the Winston County Natural Resources Council.
• Andy gave an update on the Pickens County tornado.  He assisted with the clean up for several days.
• Andy said that he would be participating in the Walker County Arbor Week activities by handing out trees at a school in Parrish.

Mike Henshaw, Secretary
WCNRC

February Council Meeting

The February meeting of the Winston County Natural Resources Council will be held at 9:00 a.m., on Thursday, February 18, at the U. S. Forest Service Office in Double Springs.

January Council Meeting

The Winston County Natural Resources Council met on January 21, 2016, at the U. S. Forest Service Office in Double Springs.  Present were John Creed, Allison Cochran, Matt Brock, Mike Henshaw, James Burnett, Andy Baril, Jeremy McDonald, and Dave Casey.  The following items were discussed:

• Saturday, February 27, a Wild Game Dinner will be held at the Meek Baptist Church.  The Winston County Extension office will have an educational exhibit at the dinner.
• John gave an update on James Horsley's treatment and said his condition was improving.
• The Alabama Natural Resources Council will hold the annual Outreach Symposium and Awards Banquet on February 5.  John and Mary Sudduth will receive the W. Kelly Mosley Environmental Award at this banquet. 
• The Winston County Extension office and a Haleyville beekeeper are conducting two programs about the importance of insect pollinators to the Civitan Club and Rotary Club in Haleyville.
• Andy said a Private Applicators Pesticide Permit class will be held in Jasper on February 22.
• Mike gave an update about the 4-H Centennial Youth Initiative program in Winston County.  
• 4-H Forestry Team and 4-H Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Team discussion.  The Council hopes to assist both teams more this year as they train for state competitions.
• James gave us an update on the winter weather predicted for Friday.
• Matt Brock has been promoted to the North Alabama Private Lands Technical Assistance Biologist.
• Kevin Pugh will be the Wildlife Biologist of the Black Warrior and Sam Murphy Wildlife Management Areas.
• The Council's hog trap has been deployed on an Addison Farm.  Matt assisted the landowner with the setup of the trap.
• Andy mentioned the NRCS Feral Hog Landowner Assistance Program, but Winston County was not one of the priority counties.
• Allison said that the heavy rains had damaged many Forest Service roads.  Many county roads were also damaged.  James said that he knew of at least six bridges that had been washed out which created hardship on many residents that have been cut off from accessing their homes.  The Sipsey Picnic Area pedestrian bridge was damaged by flooding.
• Bankhead Liaison Panel will be held tonight at 6:00 p.m. in Moulton.  Key topics will be Longleaf Restoration Areas, new Forest Health program for approximately 2,000 acres, and Recreation Program Analysis.
• Andy said that pine beetle activity was on the rise across the state.
• Recent bald eagle survey sighted two eagles on Smith Lake, but no nests were found.
• Prescribed burn plans on the Bankhead.  Approximately 20,000 acres are scheduled to be treated this year.

Mike Henshaw, Secretary

WCNRC

January Meeting of the Winston County Natural Resources Council

The January meeting of the Winston County Natural Resources Council will be held at 9:00 a.m., on Thursday, January 21, at the U. S. Forest Service Office in Double Springs.

News Release from the National Forests in Alabama - Schedule of Proposed Actions and Invitation to Collaborate

U.S. Forest Service Invites the Public to Get Involved in the Management of Alabama’s National Forests Montgomery, AL (Jan. 13) --- The National Forests in Alabama released a quarterly Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA). The public is encouraged to review the proposed projects and make comments or suggestions to help forest managers make better informed decisions. The National Forests in Alabama SOPA are published on the Forest’s website in January, April, July and October. Comments can also be made via e-mail or by contacting Felicia Humphrey, forest planner at 334-241-8146 or fhumphrey@fs.fed.us.  Review the listing proposed projects and get involved in the management of the Bankhead, Conecuh, Talladega and Tuskegee National Forests. National Forests in Alabama SOPA Website  http://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/alabama/landmanagement/projects National Forests in Alabama Current and Past SOPA Listings http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/al/sopa     National Forests are working forests where you can expect to see controlled burns, tree thinning tree planting and other management activities throughout the year. The projects are focused on maintaining the health and resilience of national forests while at the same time providing products and services to the public.

#FS#

 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Bankhead National Forest Liaison Panel Meeting, January 21

The next meeting of the Bankhead Liaison Panel will be held Thursday, January 21, 2016.  The meeting will begin at 6:00 PM at the Moulton Recreation Center/Alexander Park in Moulton, AL.  The Moulton Rec Center is located at 13550 Court Street.  The meeting will adjourn by 8:30 PM.

The meeting topics include Houston Longleaf Restoration Project; 2016 Bankhead Forest Health Project; Future Forest Health & Restoration Projects; Recreation Analysis; Summary of the Big Tree Fire; and Liaison Panel Membership, Goals, Function and next steps. 

All members of the public interested in the Bankhead National Forest are invited to the Bankhead Liaison Panel meetings.  If you have any questions, please call the District Office at 205-489-5111.

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