January Minutes

Photo by Andy Scott

The Winston County Natural Resources Council met on January 18, 2018, at the U. S. Forest Service Office in Double Springs.  Present were J. D. Snoddy, Jimmy Madison, John Creed, Mike Henshaw, and Andy Scott.  The following items were discussed:

• Invasive Plant Management class to be held in Cullman on March 29.  This class will include pesticide points for persons holding a commercial pesticide license.
• Bee Keeping in Alabama - a three class series to be held beginning February 20.
• Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program and a walking program are accepting applications, for more information, call the Winston County Extension Office at 489-5376.
• Mike gave overview of the three Firewise proposals that have been submitted to the Winston County Commission.
• Andy gave an update on the progress being made on the Resource Advisory Committee proposal submitted to the Forest Service by the Winston County Commission.  He said that a Coop roads agreement had recently been signed, and that only a few steps remained until the funds would be committed and road maintenance work by the commission could begin.
• J. D. gave an overview of the Alabama Barn Quilt Trail project in Winston County.  He said that the Arts Council is a partner on the project and barns are being sought by the organizers.  For more info visit this website.
• The council agreed to provide funds up to $200 to purchase supplies to complete another demonstration hog trap for landowners to check out and return.
• Andy gave an update on the pine beetle outbreak and some of the control work being conducted on the Bankhead National Forest.  Priority is being give to pine beetle spots that threaten private landowners joining Forest Service property.
• Winston County Board of Education is in the process of having State land transferred to the Winston County BOE.  The Winston County BOE has applied for a Appalachian Regional Commission grant to fund a feasibility study on how to best use the property.
• Liaison Panel meeting will be held on Thursday, March 25, at the Moulton Recreation Center from 6-8:30 pm.

Mike Henshaw, Secretary

WCNRC