Members Present: Allison Cochran, Chair, Mike Henshaw Vice Chair, PJ Gossett, Maggie Johnston, John Creed, Casey Hammack. Guest- Paul Walker with the Walker County Foundation
Allison opened the meeting by wishing Mike Henshaw a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Allison shared FAWN updates and photos from DSMS – GREAT JOB KERRI,
ZACK, MIKE and JIMMY MADISON and all others who helped out.
Allison noted that Zack applied for the "Friends of Natural Resources Agent" award based on the above FAWN virtual program that our council conducted.
Allison applied for State Level NRC grant to help with hog workshop
expenses. Zack is hoping to lead the efforts on this for Fall 2021.
Allison led discussion regarding the position of treasurer, PJ Gossett offered to serve as treasurer in light of Johnna Frank’s retirement. Maggie Johnston motioned and Mike 2nd and all were in favor of PJ Gossett taking on the treasurer role effective immediately. PJ will get with Johnna and get the books and go to the bank to make the changes needed.
Though Johnna was
not present today, we cannot thank her enough for her many years (decades) of
service to the Council and our community!
Allison reported Heather Eddy started with Bankhead in the volunteer program and will be invited to a future council meeting to help us learn about her role with Bankhead volunteers and partner organizations.
Mike noted someone needed to check on the Blog – some issue with subscriptions
and maybe get back engaged on Facebook. Mike will look at blog issue.
Mike reported on the RAC. USDA Forest Service Deputy Chief Chris French let Mike Henshaw know that he is appointed to a new four year term on the Resources Advisory Committee for the National Forests in Alabama. Allison and Mike gave a brief explanation of the Secure Rural Schools program and the RAC and what it means to Winston and Lawrence County.
We greatly appreciate Mike’s continued service on the RAC. He is in the private, non-industrial landowner category on the RAC.
Maggie requested the FAWN videos be sent out again and updated on Wild Alabama.
Wild Alabama applied for a National Wilderness Stewardship Association grant for an employee to work on Talladega in the Wildernesses and on the Pinhoti trail and are looking for applicants.
PJ Gossett noted he is on the Double Springs committee working on a
new park at the site of the original two springs in town. Design Alabama
from Montgomery is helping with design work for the new park.
The group took a field trip to Albertville Mulch Company off
County Road 2 and toured the operation. Steven Brooks and Linda Ratliff
provided an informative, interesting and welcoming overview of their operation,
including donuts and cookies from a small independent business in North
Alabama!
The Albertville Mulch company is a family business with locations in Winston
County and in Albertville and they have been formally in business since about
2016, but in the industry for many years. They are located at the old
Robbins saw mill. They take pine bark (and some small portion of hardwood
bark) from Grayson, Jasper Lumber and Ohatchee and make a variety of mulches
and potting material. They grind and screen various sizes of bark to make
their products and have raw, or fresh material, and also aged fines used in
potting soil. They serve customers throughout Alabama and into TN and MS,
including nurseries, landscaping companies, building supply stores, garden
centers, farmers, etc. Visit their website at www.albertvillemulchcompany.com
Special thanks to the Albertville Mulch Company for their time and tour.
It was interesting to learn about the use of our forest products locally.
Meeting concluded. Next meeting June 17
