Bankhead Liaison Panel Meeting

The Bankhead Liaison Panel will meet on Thursday, April 23. This meeting will be held at the Bankhead National Forest office on Highway 33 North in Double Springs. The meeting begins at 6 PM. Anyone with an interest in the management of the Bankhead is encouraged to attend. Highlights on the agenda include updates on the Grindstone-Mill-Inman Watershed project, Prescribed Burning, and White-nose Syndrome in bats.

April Council Meeting

Our regular council meeting will be at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 16, 2009 at the U. S. Forest Service Office in Double Springs. We'll meet briefly at the Forest Service Office, and then head to Bill and Jeanie Snoddy's Loblolly Farm to plan details of the upcoming field day. The weather forecast looks favorable, and Bill and Jeanie will be at the farm.

Winston County Commission Votes to Support Kid's Fishing Derby

The Winston County Commission recently voted to support the Kid's Fishing Derby with a $2,500 grant. The grant funds will go to purchase catfish and awards for participants. The purpose of the derby is to spark children's interest in the outdoors, educate the public about our water resources, and to promote safe, ethical angling and boating. The Derby is a team effort of U. S. Forest Service, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, the Alabama Forestry Commission, the Double Springs Lions Club, and the Double Springs Civitans. Over 200 youth and adults are expected to attend this family-friendly event at the Black Warrior Work Center on Highway 33 on Saturday, June 6, 2009. A flyer for the Kid's Fishing Derby is available here.

The commission funds for the Kid's Fishing Derby are from the USDA and are earmarked for natural resources education. The grant proposal will now enter a 45 day public comment period. If you would like to comment, please contact the Winston County Commission.

Winston County 4-H Shooting Sports Club Hosts Friendly Competition at New Skeet and Trap Range

The Winston County 4-H Shooting Sports Club recently hosted the "Winston County Shoot-Out" at their new skeet range near Addison. 25 4-H'ers from Marion County, Winston County, and Cullman County attended the event, which was mostly a training session with a little competition thrown in to make the practice interesting. In the Senior Division, Marion County placed 1st, Cullman County 2nd, and Winston County 3rd. In the Junior Division, Cullman was 1st, and Winston was 2nd. Certified 4-H Shooting Sports Volunteers, Kenny Robinson and Tim Robinson, where pleased to see their new range being used to train young sportsmen. Jay Conway, 4-H Regional Extension Agent, said "This range will be an asset for 4-H Shooting Sports for years to come." Additional practice sessions and competitions are currently planned to prepare the 4-H'ers for the 2009 State Shotgun Championship in Childersburg on May 9th. Additional photos are available by clicking here.

Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy Inc. Gives $1,000 to Support FAWN

Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy Inc. (WCSLAI) recently gave the Winston County Natural Resources Council $1,000 to support the council's annual FAWN Program for Winston County sixth graders. The check was presented at the WCSLAI Public Meeting on April 3rd, in Arley. WCSLAI was able to make the contribution from funds received from Alabama Power's Renew Our Rivers Program. Pictured from left is Mike Henshaw-Alabama Cooperative Extension System, John Sudduth-Winston County Natural Resources Council, Laverne Matheson-President of WCSLAI, and Frank Tidwell-Business Manager for Alabama Power's Haleyville and Hamilton Offices. This contribution will be a big help in keeping the FAWN program free-of-charge to the county's youth.

Third Annual Forestry Field Day at Loblolly Farm

The Third Annual Forestry Field Day will be held at Bill and Jeanie Snoddy's Loblolly Farm in Double Springs on Friday, May 1st, 2009, at 8:30 a.m.

Loblolly Farm carries the special designation of Helene Mosley TREASURE Forest, which means that Bill and Jeanie have developed and managed the forest according to a long-range plan. They've focused on timber production, recreation, aesthetics, and wildlife. The development has allowed their family and friends to derive a great deal of enjoyment from the property over the years.

Highlights include a walking tour of the property and speakers on such topics as long-range planning, forest management, pond construction and management, native grass establishment, forest roads, invasive plant management, and horticulture. A detailed program is available by clicking here. Loggers will receive six Professional Logging Manager (PLM) points by attending the field day.

Pre-registration is required by April 24th. A registration form is available by clicking here. Lunch is included in the $20 registration fee. You may also request field day program information by calling us at (205) 489-5376 or stopping by the Winston County Extension Office in the Courthouse Annex.