Winston County Natural Resources Council

 

WCNRC August Meeting Minutes

Members Present: Mike Henshaw, Vice Chair, Kerri Roberts, Secretary, Johnna Franks, Treasurer, Zack Brannon, Jimmy Madison, John Creed, Andy Scott, Casey Hammock, Brad Nail.

Guests present: Lisa Murphy, Robert Clement

 

Zack opened the meeting with discussion of FAWN (Firewise Awareness Week Now) delivered in an alternate format this year since schools cannot do field trips due to COVID-19.  We could replicate usual stations in a video/virtual format and deliver to the kids for the teachers to use. Kerri said Nearpod online learning platform is what Extension is using and it can incorporate video, quizzes and games. 

Zack said Alabama A&M have agreed to make a stream trailer video for FAWN use.  He will reach out to all past presenters to see if they are interested. Zack will set up the videoing and he and Kerri can assist with editing.  Andy S. said the forest service can help out and he can get crews in California to get some wildfire footage for the Firewise station. 

Mike asked if there could still be physical activity involved for the kids to be active and outdoors in a virtual FAWN program. Flag a Tree station was mentioned as a possibility for that.

Johnna gave the treasurer report: $8,635.85.

Zack said he would still like to give the kids a t-shirt and he could ask the Soil and Water District and the Conservation Officers for $1000/each donations to cover t-shirts and video editing software as they usually donate to FAWN annually. 

John Creed motioned to use the $2000 requested funds to continue doing FAWN in a different format this year. Mike seconded. None opposed. FAWN will move forward.

Andy reported the forest service is still working via telework for the most part and he is working on a virtual liaison panel meeting.  Bankhead recreation sites are all open except Houston Day Use. 6 employees are on fire detail in California right now.

Brad Nail reported on the WCNRC hosting a landowner workshop for 2021.  He said if it has an aquatic tie in he can pay for all of it. The council agreed to brainstorm ideas but let’s get through FAWN first.

Brad also reported on the culvert project. Thirteen sites of impaired culvert crossings in Winston County are being improved with over $500,000 in a NFWF (National Fish and Wildlife Foundation) grant and in kind donations.

Mike updated the council on the RAC committee. There were 2 applications submitted- one from Lawrence and one from Winston. Both were approved. The RAC committee really liked the Winston proposal due to the recreational tie in.

Meeting adjourned. Next meeting September 17, 9:00 at the Houston Rec Pavillion