September Meeting Minutes

The Winston County Natural Resources Council met on Thursday, September 21, 2017. Members present were:  Jeremy McDonald, Carl Godsey, Jimmy Madison, John Creed, Johnna Franks, Allison Cochran, and Kerri Roberts. 

Topics discussed were:
• FAWN program. Members looked over programs and gave suggestions for spare people/stations.  Carl offered to volunteer on one day of FAWN. John said he was able to assist both days. Allison said Houston Rec Center will be cleaned and prepped on Monday, October 2.  A program walk thru will be held the same day at 9:00 am. Johnna said t-shirts were finished. Jeremy said he would pick up the shirts and distribute to the schools.
• Alabama Conservation Enforcement Officers donation for FAWN was discussed.  Allison said they need a letter of request submitted before they can consider a donation.
• Kerri noted bed bugs had been confirmed in Winston County. The sample was identified by the Auburn lab after a homeowner found them in a recliner.
• Allison reminded everyone the Bankhead Liaison Panel will meet on Thursday, September 28th at the First National Bank in Double Springs. The only topic to be discussed will be the Southern Pine Beetle infestation as this is a major concern right now. Almost 200 sites of beetle infestation have been discovered by fly overs of the Bankhead National Forest.  All Bankhead personnel are working on this issue. The Forest Health Division is very concerned. Mississippi’s infestation has affected more than 20,000 trees.  Johnna says the Alabama Forest Service is also working on this problem. They are notifying any private landowners of known infestations.
• Kerri mentioned the “Day on the Farm” at Moody Hill Farm on Saturday, September 23. Mike and Kerri will be presenting a sun safety program. Carl noted he may be assisting with a forestry station.
• Kerri brought up the topic of nominating officers for the WCNRC. Currently there are two officers, Johnna Franks- Treasurer, and Mike Henshaw- Secretary. Positions of Chairman and Vice Chairman are currently vacant. Kerri noted anyone wanting to make a nomination for an officer position needs to speak with the current officers so a ballot can be developed. Allison suggested that once new officers are in place the WCNRC could reevaluate their mission statement.  She noted that a well defined mission might encourage diversity of members.
• There was brief discussion about Houston Wood, a local business owned by Ellis Wade Junior. The members present were intrigued and want to set up a tour of the facility to learn more.

Minutes recorded by 
Kerri Roberts