Council Members,
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Present were Kerry Steedley, Jarret Daniels, Vanessa King, Matt Hannah, Brad Nail, Chris Horne, Casey Hammack, Jamie Segroves and Mike Henshaw.
We are in the process of notifying the speakers and participants. We plan to send out a follow up email to participants reviewing the pine beetle situation. We will reschedule the Field Day for a later date next year at the same location at the Natural Bridge Picnic Area and the Horace Ward property.
Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, October 15, to conduct the walk through for the FAWN programs to be held on October 16 and 17, at the Houston Recreation Area.
Mike Henshaw, Secretary
WCNRC
Winston County Forestry Field Day on Friday, September 27, 2024. Registration is free, but must register to attend. Call the Winston County Extension Office to register, 205-489-5376.
News Release from Alabama Forestry Commission
Southern Pine Beetles Reach Epidemic Level in Alabama's Forests
As of August 22, the Alabama
Forestry Commission (AFC) has identified almost 5,000 Southern pine beetle (SPB)
spots across the state, with an average mortality of 191 pine trees per spot. For
the remainder of the summer, the number of SPB spots, as well as the number of
trees affected per spot, are expected to increase.
“Alabama’s timber industry is
a driver of our economy, and these pine beetles can pose a real threat.
Landowners should take care to identify these beetles to protect their own
harvest, as well as to help prevent the spread to other timber,” said Governor
Kay Ivey. “The Alabama Forestry Commission is working hard to locate the beetle
spots and notify landowners of the potential problem.”
“Unfortunately, this is the highest
number of beetle spots we’ve experienced in the state in the last 23 years. The
agency has conducted aerial surveys in 51 counties so far, with more counties anticipated
over the next couple weeks,” said State Forester Rick Oates. “Both Mississippi
and Georgia are also counting numerous spots. So, it looks as if this is an
especially active pine beetle year not just here in Alabama, but across the Southeast.”
Counties with significant SPB
activity (more than 100 spots) are Bibb, Calhoun, Choctaw, Clay, Colbert, Coosa,
Franklin, Lamar, Lawrence, Marion, Perry, Randolph, Talladega, and Winston. The
worst infestations are located within and around Bankhead National Forest and
the Oakmulgee District of the Talladega National Forest. This data is relevant to
landowners because a large number of beetle spots exist on adjacent private
lands as well.
The AFC will continue marking beetle
spots and at the conclusion of each flight, the data will be synced to the ‘SPB
Location Map’. The agency is also conducting ground checks and notifying
forest landowners by mail. By locating their property on this map, forest
landowners and land managers can begin treating the spots. Both the SPB map and
beetle control information can be viewed on the AFC’s website at forestry.alabama.gov.
To speak to an AFC representative in your local area, click the ‘Contact
Us’ tab on the homepage, then select your county in the drop-down menu.
The mission of the Alabama
Forestry Commission is to protect and sustain Alabama’s forest resources using
professionally applied stewardship principles and education, ensuring that the
state’s forests contribute to abundant timber and wildlife, clean air and
water, and a healthy economy.
The Winston County Natural Resources Council met on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at the U. S. Forest Service Office. The following persons were present: Mike Henshaw, Jamie Segroves, Zack Brannon, John Creed, Lauranne James, Casey Hammack. Not pictured, Matt Hannah, Marsha Welch, and Amy Foss. Photo by Matt Hannah. The following topics were discussed:
The next meeting will be held at the U. S. Forest Service office in Double Springs on Thursday, August 15, at 9:00 a.m. The primary topic will be the Forestry Field Day planned for September.
Other items discussed included:
