NEWS RELEASE FROM THE USDA FOREST SERVICE - USDA, Alabama sign historic agreement to improve forest conditions on public and private lands

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE USDA FOREST SERVICE - USDA, Alabama sign historic agreement to improve forest conditions on public and private lands MONTGOMERY, Ala. – January 12, 2021 – USDA Under Secretary of Agriculture James Hubbard and Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed a Shared Stewardship agreement at a virtual signing event today. The agreement is between USDA's Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service, along with, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Alabama Forestry Commission. Shared Stewardship agreements establish a framework for federal and state agencies to collaborate better, focus on accomplishing mutual goals, further common interests and effectively respond to the increasing ecological challenges and natural resource concerns. “Shared stewardship provides an incredible opportunity to work with the state of Alabama to set stewardship priorities together,” said Hubbard. “We will combine our mutual skills and assets to achieve cross-boundary outcomes desired by all.” This new agreement centers on USDA’s commitment to work with states and other partners to use the best available science to identify high-priority forests that need treatment and to ensure the long-term sustainability of public and private lands. “From our rolling mountains to our sparkling coast, the world can understand why they call it ‘Alabama the Beautiful.’ I am pleased that we can build on the conservation efforts already happening through these strong federal and state partnerships,” Gov. Ivey said. “I look forward to our state continually working for the good of the people as well as our natural resources and to preserve our beautiful state for generations to come.” Alabama becomes the 7th state in the South and 23rd in the Nation to sign such an agreement to strengthen partnerships within the state to increase the scope and scale of critical forest treatments that support communities and improve forest conditions. The agreement can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/shared-stewardship. -FS-

WCNRC Meeting Minutes

 January 21 meeting was held via zoom. 

Members present: Allison Cochran- Chair, Mike Henshaw,-Vice Chair, Kerri Roberts-Secretary, P.J. Gossett, Jimmy Madison, Maggie Johnston, Andrew Baril, Zack Brannon

Allison opened the meeting with a check in and with a treasurer report given to her prior to the meeting from Johnna. Account balance is $8066.52 with $663.18 of that being grant money. 

The council 501(c)3 status was discussed. Allison could not find us listed on the state or federal websites for non-profits. Maggie noted that Johnna had given her an IRS letter for the council and that the Walker County Foundation had suggested WCNRC as a non-profit partner for Wild Alabama programs. However, there is usually a 990 form filed and no member present knew if that had taken place. Andy weighed in on the differences in this process for churches.  Kerri asked what the mailing address for the council was. No one was positive but Andy and Mike thought it was the Forestry Commission P.O. Box because the council had initially been the Winston County Forestry Planning Committee under the Alabama Forestry Commission. Allison noted the current IRS number is 63-1206800 and vowed to dig into the unknowns of the council finding out the bank account information, mailing address, and non-profit official status. Zack noted we do not have to be non-profit and the state council is not, but if we want to seek out grant funds for programs, we need to be.

Maggie spoke on Wild Alabama grant for education from the Walker Area Foundation. She'd like ideas for programming in the Winston area. She also thanked the WNCRC for partnership with them and looks forward to many programs. Their website is www.wildal.org . They have a calendar of events and hikes. Maggie also noted their personal treasure forest is under research with MSU for soils research. 

Allison noted we may need to finalize a Mission Statement. The ANRC one was discussed along with a proposed draft mission statement - to promote sustainable natural resources management in Winston County and surrounding areas and to raise awareness of Alabama's abundant natural resources, programs, and management techniques through educational efforts.                                                          

 Mike added we may want to put something about member leadership roles and also adding about efforts to protect organisms. It was discussed if the draft was too wordy and some may need to be in a vision statement. Allison wanted to get all member input. A google doc will be shared on the blog so that any and all can edit the proposed mission statement. 

Kerri and Zack reported on FAWN. All jump drives with videos and nearpod FAWN lessons have been delivered to 6th grade teachers. Jeremy is finishing up delivery of t-shirts. Zack thanked Jimmy, Mike, and Robert for assistance with the video production and thanked the council for opportunity to do it this way this year. Robert has files for Marion County use. Kerri has posted to 4-H Teams site. 

Kerri reported she is still planning to give away tree seedlings to 4-Hers (about 600) in March. Allison gave her a contact for trees in Georgia and they are willing to donate some, if not all. Hoping they will donate long leaf. 

Mike noted Bill Self still wants to host a field day in 2021. 

P.J. reported he is doing a story on Browns Creek County Road 339 and Brad Nail's work that will come out soon. He wondered what impact Jasper Lumber Expansion will have on Winston County. 

Allison noted the Forest Service office is still closed but phones are on. Prescription burns are going on and there have been several wildfires with 3 recently in the wilderness. They have hired seasonal staff, are developing a Black Pond woodland quail habitat (may be a good field trip idea), are doing a reptile and amphibian survey, new aquatic project with mark/recapture of flattened musk turtles and black water dog that will kick off in February. 

Other ideas for 2021 not discussed on the zoom:

    Fishing Derby/Alternative (kid nature/outdoor engagement contest?)

    Support RAC proposals as appropriate

    Support and collaborate on other natural resources grant proposals in Winston Co. (ex. NFWF, NFF,     etc) as appropriate

    Support 4-H programs and others as appropriate

    Sipsey Fork Watershed Program/Campaign?? Water resources (aquatics/quality)awareness, replace         Hwy signage from Sipsey River to Sipsey Fork, welcome to watershed signs/now entering?

    Opportunities to partner with Soil and Water District, AFA, AWW, Wild and Scenic River, Canoe         Trail- Sipsey Fork SHU, other?

    Other Programs/Campaign/Current Issue to pursue?

Meeting adjourned. Next meeting via zoom February 18. 

Mission Statement Google Doc link

 WCNRC members,

We are looking for our own Mission Statement. You can access the below google doc to review and make edits and/or suggestions to the proposed mission statement. 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/12LT9JjF9BS1V6NXRja5rL77qy1ztqaZFMlzYY_Asei8/edit?usp=sharing

January Meeting Scheduled for 9 AM, Thursday, January 21st

Happy New Year! The Winston County Natural Resources Council will meet virtually via ZOOM online meeting platform on Thursday, January 21st at 9:00 am. Active participants in the Council should have received an email with instructions to join the ZOOM meeting. If you did not receive an email with instructions please contact Allison at jera.cochran at usda.gov or Zack at zdb0006 at auburn.edu.