Minutes April Meeting of the WCNRC

The Winston County Natural Resources Council met on April 21, 2016, at the U. S. Forest Service Office in Double Springs.  Present were:  Johnna Franks, Mike Henshaw, Allison Cochran, Andy Baril, John Creed, Casey Hammack, and Jeremy McDonald(not pictured).

The following items were discussed:

• Johnna introduced Casey Hammack, a new employee with the Winston County office of the Alabama Forestry Commission.  Casey is a Winston County High School graduate, has worked with the Winston County Road Department, and is trained as a volunteer fireman.  
• Andy said the GPS receivers that we normally have to borrow from the Auburn Biosystems Engineering Department are now in his possession.  This will make them much easier to access for FAWN and other activities.
• Discussed funding for FAWN, Junior Ranger program, and Fishing Derby.  Funding requests will be submitted to the Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy, and the Alabama Conservation  Law Enforcement Officers Association.
• Johnna said the balance in the treasury is $2,908.92.
• Discussed fundraising ideas for the council such as a tree sale.
• Slough Cleanup based at Clear Creek on April 27 and 28.
• Fishing Derby will be held on Saturday, June 4.
• Junior Ranger Program to be held on Tuesday, May 3, at Payne Creek Demonstration Area.  The council approved up to $200 for transportation and other expenses for the program.
•  Earth Day will be held at Hamner Park on Friday, April 22, and is sponsored by the Arley Women's Club.
• Andy reported on the Archery in the Schools competition that was held in Montgomery and over 1,200 youth competed.
• The Winston County 4-H Shotgun Shooting Sports Team competed at the State Competition at Red Eagle in Childersburg.
• Winston County Commission and Winston County Extension Office will receive the 4-H Centennial Youth Initiative Award on July 11th.  Council members are invited to attend the program and reception to be held at the Winston County Commission meeting at 9:00 a.m. 
• Alabama Water Watch Living Streams Workshop to be held at Camp McDowell on July 26-28.
• Discussed PLM point opportunities for loggers.  Walker County will have a PLM meeting in September, the WCNRC may have a PLM meeting in late summer on Stewardship Contracts with the USFS.
• Allison reported on the Recreation Working group, which is part of the Bankhead Liaison Panel.  They are currently working to identify recreation needs and to match them with available resources.  
• National Forests in Alabama, including the Bankhead National Forest, are making changes to have centralized dispatching from Montgomery.  

Mike Henshaw, Secretary
WCNRC

News Release - U.S. Forest Service Invites the Public to Get Involved in the Management of Alabama’s National Forests

Collaboration Invitation for National Forests in Alabama

Quarterly Schedule of Proposed Actions

 

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

Contact: Tammy Freeman Truett or Felicia Humphrey

                                                                                                      334-832-4470

For Immediate Release

U.S. Forest Service Invites the Public to Get Involved in the Management of Alabama’s National Forests Montgomery, AL (April 19) --- The National Forests in Alabama has released April-June quarterly Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA). The public is encouraged to review the proposed projects located on the Forest Service website http://www.fs.fed.us/sopa/components/reports/sopa-110801-2016-04.pdf and make comments or suggestions to help forest managers make better informed decisions. Comments can also be made via e-mail or by contacting Felicia Humphrey, Forest Planner at 334-241-8146 or fhumphrey@fs.fed.us. SOPA Projects: http://www.fs.fed.us/sopa/components/reports/sopa-110801-2016-04.pdf SOPA Mailing List: If you would like to be notified by email when the SOPA is updated, send a response to: fhumphrey@fs.fed.us. 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.

WCNRC April Meeting

The April council meeting will be held on Thursday, April 21, at 9:00 a.m., at the U. S. Forest Service Office in Double Springs. 

Exploring Our Living Streams Workshop to be Held at Camp McDowell

Click here for printable flyer

Smith Lake Slough Cleanup

Click here for printable flyer.

2016 Fishing Derby

The Bankhead National Forest Fishing Derby is set for Saturday, June 4, 2016, at the Black Warrior Work Center.  First Saturday in June!  For kids ages 5-12.

Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy Public Meeting

The Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy, Inc. is holding an Annual Public Meeting at 6 PM on Friday, April 8.  The meeting will be held at the Traders & Farmers Bank in Arley.  Everyone is invited to attend.

The guest speaker is Mark Kolinski of Wild South, a regional volunteer organization whose Alabama headquarters is in Moulton.  Wild South's Alabama Wilderness Rangers maintain the trails in the Sipsey Wilderness Area.

Refreshments will be served and door prizes will be available.