May Council Meeting Minutes

The Winston County Natural Resources Council met at the U. S. Forest Service Office in Double Springs on May 18.  Present were Jeremy McDonald, James Burnett, Kevin Pugh, Andy Baril, J. D. Snoddy, Mike Henshaw, Casey Hammack, and Lauranne James.  The following items were discussed at the meeting:

• Jeremy gave a report on the Payne Creek Demonstration program.  There were 135 participants from Double Springs Middle School, FFA group from Winston County High School, FFA Group from Curry High School, and University of Alabama students.  There were 5 learning stations and a hike down to the Payne Creek canyon.  WCNRC provided $150 for the portable toilets.
• Lauranne gave a report on the Northwest Alabama RC&D Council's EcoCold Storage unit that is housed in Winston County.  While the unit was only received in March, it has been in use almost every day at either a farm or the Main Street Ministries Food Bank.
• A Resource Allocation Committee proposal will be submitted by the Winston County Commission.  It will include badly needed road maintenance for Winston County roads that service Forest Service lands, and some educational projects to benefit recreation on the Forest and to monitor water quality.  The WCNRC agreed to send a letter of support for the Winston County Commission's proposal to the Forest Service.  J. D. said that the Arts Council may be able to provide a letter of support.
• Casey suggested that the Alabama Forestry Commission might be able to use their transport to haul free potting soil that will be available in June.  This soil will be used in school and community raised bed gardens.
• Andy suggested that the WCNRC look at offering programs featuring private landowners, and support the TREASURE forest program.  He said we should recruit landowners that have done a good job managing their private forestland in Winston County.
• Fishing Derby will be held on Saturday, June 10, at the Black Warrior Work Center.  All council members are invited to attend and help host the event.  A Firewise learning station will be set up at the Derby.  The WCNRC helps sponsor this annual event.
• Kevin said the staff on the Black Warrior has been busy planting warm season wildlife plots and breaking up large, single-crop plantings with multiple plant species plantings.  This should provide better edge habitat, and more variety in the openings.

Mike Henshaw, Secretary
WCNRC