Wednesday, April 21, 2021

WCNRC April Meeting Minutes

 

WCNRC April Meeting Minutes

 

Members Present: Allison Cochran, Chair, Mike Henshaw, Vice Chair, Kerri Roberts, Secretary, Zack Brannon, John Creed, Maggie Johnston.

 

Allison opened the meeting and members present discussed the vote on the new council treasurer since Johnna Franks is retiring from AFC in June and also wants to retire from the treasurer position for WCNRC. PJ Gossett has volunteered to be the new treasurer. Members will vote on the new treasurer at the May meeting. If possible the old and new treasurer, along with member John Creed (who is on the bank account as second signature) will go to the bank to make the change after the May meeting.

 

Mike noted the May meeting will be a tour of Albertville Mulch owned by David Brooks off County Road 2. Members will meet at the Bankhead headquarters in Double Springs at 9 on May 20 and carpool to the business for the tour.

 

Zack updated on the Learn and Burn in Walker County the last week of April and the Invasive Species Workshop in Marion County on May 18. He will be posting a flyer for that event to the blog. CEUs and PLMs will be given for attendance.  Andy Baril and Lucy Edwards of Extension are hosting this event. Zack is presenting on sprayer calibration. Funds donated for the event will purchase 2 sprayers to be placed in different locations in NW Alabama and will be able to be checked out for use from Extension Offices.

 

Zack and Kerri mentioned  the Extension Natural Resources Agent awards application for “friends of completing natural resources education” category. Kerri thought the council’s efforts on the FAWN video series to have the program continue during a pandemic should be entered for consideration. The members present agreed. Zack will get with Andy Baril, whom we think is a member of the association, for guidance.

 

Kerri noted there will be a 4-H Forestry day camp on June 23 at Brushy Lake.

 

Zack asked if there was interest among members to host a hog trapping field day. He stated Rawlins Jolly with the forest service was interested in that work and that there are several traps across the county. One is in the east part of the county and could be the location for a field day. Members present thought it would be a good topic.

 

Allison noted the fishing derby will not happen this year.

 

Maggie invited members to her property that is being managed by Mississippi State students for research on soil amendments on reclaimed mining property. This will happen the week of May 3-7 (date not yet set). Maggie will get an invitation/flyer to Allison to post on the blog. This is just an additional educational opportunity. Maggie also noted citizen science projects with Wild Alabama are continuing and progressing with the Hemlock and acorn projects.

 

Allison updated that Heather Eddy is a new Americorps employee who will serve as the Bankhead Volunteer Coordinator.  Hope to get her involved with the Council.

Autumn Watrous is the new Quail Forever Biologist stationed in Cullman.  Have invited her to come to a future meeting and network for opportunities with private landowners, especially. 

Bankhead is continuing prescribed burning and busy with many forest management projects.  We continue in the planning of a longleaf pine woodland and quail habitat improvement project in the Black Pond area.  Stay tuned for more opportunities to learn and collaborate. More to come!

Bankhead is working on a land exchange. There are two priority tracts on the Sipsey Fork in the Moreland area that a landowner is interested in exchanging.  Several Forest Service outlying/isolated tracts are being considered for an equal value exchange. Contact Andy Scott for more information or to comment.

 

Meeting adjourned. Next meeting May 20- field trip to Albertville Mulch.

Meet at Forest Service Office at 9.

 

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

April Meeting Coming Up 4/15/21

 The WCNRC will meet at the Houston Rec Pavilion April 15 at 9:00 am. We hope to see you there!

Wednesday, April 7, 2021