August Meeting Minutes

Members Present: Allison Cochran, Chair, Mike Henshaw, Vice-Chair, Kerri Roberts, Secretary, Lauranne James, Zack Brannon, Mark Finley,  PJ Gossett, Jimmy Madison, John Creed, Blake Addison, Andy Baril. Visitor, Brad Nail

* Lauranne reported that the RC&D budget will be approved next month. Applications for grants are open now. You can apply at www.nwalrcd.org.  Grants are reimbursement type.  There is also a no-till drill available for rent in Winston County.  There will be a field day for no-till drill in Marion county Tuesday, August 20, 3:00-5:00 pm at the Marion County Extension Office.  North West RC&D quarterly meeting will be in Lauderdale county September 10.

* Zack reported on FAWN.  Dates will be October 8-9.  We have confirmations from all schools except for one.  FAWN is coming together as usual but this being Zack's first one, he is not sure what to expect.  Johnna will be getting food. Jeremy will handle t-shirts.  Many members will be helping out.  There will be a walk through October 7 at 9:00 am. The council decided there would be no additional October meeting since most of us will be together at FAWN if anything needs to be discussed. 

*  Allison stated the forest service has hired a new wildlife biologist. He should be on the job and available to assist with FAWN.  September 10 there will be a Bat Management Seminar at the Cleburn Mountain Center in Heflin.  The U.S. Forest Service has officially partnered with Alabama Water Watch for water monitoring sites. These include sites in Bankhead- specifically the inland Brushy Watershed. 

*  Allison also reported Smith Lake Advocacy will be having a Smith Lake Clean-Up day on September 12 at King Ramp.  She asked Kerri if 4-H can assist. Kerri will look into that.  All council members are encouraged to help out.

*  Andy Baril stated there will be a Hunter Education workshop in Jasper, September 9-10. There will be a PLM workshop at Bevill State on September 11.  Cullman will host a PLM workshop September 14 at the Crazy Rooster restaurant.

*  Brad Nail with the Alabama Forestry Association joined us at the end of our meeting and informed the council about their projects in NW Alabama.  They are working on Shortleaf Pine restoration and also improvement of habitat for at-risk species.

Meeting Adjourned. Next meeting Thursday, September 19.