Thursday, September 26, 2024

Forestry Field Day Cancelled Due to Hurricane Helene



The council met this morning for the walk through at the Natural Bridge Picnic Area and decided that we needed to cancel the Forestry Field Day scheduled for Friday due to the high winds and rain that is in the forecast.  Safety for participants was the main factor.

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

Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Winston County Forestry Field Day

 

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.


Friday, August 23, 2024

Southern Pine Beetles Reach Epidemic Level in Alabama's Forests

 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.

Monday, August 19, 2024

Minutes of August Council Meeting

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:

  • Landowner Field Day to be held on Friday, September 27.  Zack had copies of the flyer on hand.  Funding sources were discussed which include the Alabama Forestry Foundation, NW RC&D Council and the WCNRC.  Casey will make the arrangements for the portable toilets.  The walk-thru will serve as the September meeting of the council and which will be held at 9:00 a.m. on September 26, the day before the field day.  Food will be cookout style similar to the last field day.
  • FAWN program dates were shared by Zack; it will be held on Wednesday, October 16, and Thursday, October 17, at Houston Recreation Area.  Casey said that would work well with the Marion County dates of October 8-9.  Shirts and water bottles will be provided to all students which is made possible by the Winston County Soil and Water Conservation District and the NW RC&D Council.  In order to reduce cost, Matt Hannah offered to do the grilling for lunch.  This will cost much less than catering. 
  • The current pine beetle situation was discussed with two landowners sharing info about infestations on their property.  Jamie said that the AFC is notifying landowners as spots are detected by aerial surveillance. 
Jamie adjourned the meeting.

Mike Henshaw
Secretary, WCNRC 

Tuesday, August 13, 2024

August Council Meeting

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.

Look forward to seeing you there,

Mike Henshaw, Secretary - WCNRC

Friday, July 19, 2024

Minutes of July Meeting


The Winston County Natural Resources Council met on Thursday, July 18, at the Natural Bridge Picnic Area.  The following members were present Chris Horne, Andy Scott, Matt Hannah, Casey Hammack, John Creed, Mike Henshaw, Brad Nail, Mark Finley, Lauranne James, and Sheriff Caleb Snoddy.  The primary topic was the upcoming landowner field day to be held at the Natural Bridge Picnic Area, and the following was discussed about the field day:

  • The date for the landowner filed day is Friday, September 27.  The nearby private forestland property is owned by Horace Ward.  An agenda and the logistics were discussed.  At the Ward Property, the topics will include loblolly pine replacement species, wildlife openings, and the current pine beetle situation, and  NRCS EQIP oak planting practice.  The hardwood area on this property is difficult to access by tour trailers, but it could be an option for some to walk down to the hardwood area on the Ward property.  At the Natural Bridge Picnic Area, the topics would be Native American Heritage, Bluff Shelters - what to do and not do, Oak Savannah Management
  • Parking, registration, and welcome will be at the Picnic Area, then move everyone by carpooling or by tour trailers to the Ward Property
  • Lunch will be at the Picnic Area followed by the topics to be covered along the trail at picnic area.
  • Lunch will be a cook out style similar to the last field day
  • Portable toilets will be rented for the Ward Property
  • Lauranne said NW Ala RC&D will be glad to assist with Landowner Field Day promotional materials that council members could share on social media.

    Other items discussed included:

    • Surplus Property for Veteran Owned Businesses and Farms - Mike
    • Sheriff Caleb Snoddy dropped in and said they were looking for a lost hiker and was checking the area.
    • The Council's Tax Exempt Status and next steps to complete another IRS Form - Casey and Matt
    • 2025 Learn and Burns in Winston County Area - Brad
    • 50th Anniversary TREASURE Forest Conference, October 2-4, Gulf Shores State Park - Mark
    • Linwood Butler was recently named as the next Forest Supervisor for the National Forests in Alabama - Andy
    • There will be a large plane-type drone flying over the Bankhead Area soon that will be gathering atmospheric data.  The 22 foot wingspan plane will be flying lower than ordinary small planes and will be louder than normal aircraft.  It will be followed by a manned aircraft flying at higher altitude.  Andy said they are trying to get the word out so that the public will not be alarmed by the unusual drone plane.
    • The USFS is on high alert nation-wide concerning fire fighting needs due to conditions in the western US - Andy
    • Cogongrass workshop being held today in Colbert County, and Lauranne said that RC&D would be interested in having one in this area at a later date, possibly in the Spring.
    • Matt related his experiences on this trip out west concerning firewood restrictions which were very strict as he entered California.  Andy said NASCAR and College Football tailgating activities were a big factor in forest pests moving long distances via firewood.
    Matt moved that the meeting be adjourned, and John seconded.  All approved and the meeting was adjourned.

    Mike Henshaw - Secretary, WCNRC

    Tuesday, July 16, 2024

    July 18th Meeting of the WCNRC

    The next meeting will be held at the Natural Bridge Picnic Area on Thursday, July 18, at 9:30 a.m.  This site is on County Road 63 near Houston, and is not the same as the Natural Bridge Park near the town of Natural Bridge.  See this link for a map to the site:


    The primary purpose for our meeting will be to plan the next landowner field day that will tentatively be held at the Natural Bridge Picnic Area and on a nearby private landowner's property.


    Look forward to seeing you there, 

    Mike Henshaw, Secretary - WCNRC