WCNRC June Meeting Minutes

 

Members Present: Allison Cochran, Chair; PJ Gossett, Treasurer; Kerri Roberts, Secretary; Lauranne James, John Creed

Visitors: Heather Eddy, Americorp Vista with Bankhead Forest; Autumn Watrous, Quail Forever Biologist

Allison opened the meeting with the history of the WCNRC for our visitors and discussed what partnerships we have. Introductions were made.

Allison stated the WCNRC received grant funding from the state council for up to $1000 to host a fall feral pig workshop. Zack will be heading this program up and Rollins Jolly with U.S. Forest Service and Matt Brock with Alabama Fish and Wildlife will be assisting. The workshop will be in the Addison area on private property that adjoins the Bankhead.

Allison said the council needs to revisit the Bill Self landowner workshop that was tabled due to Covid.

FAWN was discussed and members voted to go ahead and plan to do the annual event in person this year. Allison doesn’t know if the forest service will be open up by the fall, but if not, we may need to look for another location. She would fully support the program happening.

Kerri noted Zack wanted the council to know that Mark Finley with the Alabama Treasure Forest has funding for a treasure forest workshop. Kerri also gave an update on the 4-H Forestry Day Camp that is happening June 23 at Brushy Lake

PJ is officially the WCNRC treasurer. Johnna met him at Bank First to change over the account and John Creed signed as second signature. The address on the account was updated to 6608 County Road 25 Double Springs, Al 35553 to allow PJ to receive the bank statements. A letter from the bank will be added to the paper file for the WCNRC kept at the Winston County Extension Office.

PJ noted the account balance is $8064.48 and that the current checks still have Traders and Farmers name/logo but we can still use them for two years and will then need to purchase new checks. PJ gave a brief update on the Double Springs Park Committee noting they are hiring an architect to draw up plans for the area that will be a green space for downtown.

Lauranne spoke on RC&D and that they have received $50,000 in grant funding to do 15 outreach and expo workshops. Some upcoming workshop is on women in agriculture, farm safety, and recreation trails. She also mentioned the Nashville’s Backyard project and website which will promote tourism south of Nashville. She noted Ken Sunseri is trying to bring the promotions to Winston County.

Autumn is with the Quail Forever program gave an overview of what she does. She is housed in Cullman County with NRCS but wants to partner with any youth programs in NW Alabama. She can also do presentations for landowners on increasing quail habitat.

Allison concluded the meeting noting that Jimmy and Virginia Styles, renowned herpetologists, will be hosting a zoom on the Wild Alabama website on snake id. Allison also noted she will begin revisiting the nonprofit status and working with an accountant to get things moving on the WCNRC incorporation.

The meeting concluded. Next meeting July 15, 9:00am at Houston Recreation Pavilion