January 2023 Meeting Summary

On January 19, 2023 the Winston County Natural Resources Council met at the Bankhead National Forest Office.  The following people attended, Barley Wyers, Chris Wright, Matt Hannah, Jamie Segroves, Casey Hammack, Amy Melson, Mike Henshaw, Mark Finely, Kerry Clark, Andy Scott, Lauranne James and Allison Cochran.

The following items were discussed, including goals and programs for 2023.

Elections - The secretary position remains vacant. All current serving members agreed to continue - Allison Cochran, chair; Mike Henshaw, vice chair; Casey Hammack, treasurer.

AFC is holding a tree giveaway in Double Springs at the end of February or first of March at B&B Motors.  

Learn and Burn for Winston County will take place at Matt Hannah's during the week of February 27th. Brad Nail is leading; registration page is live; Brad is reserving portable toilets and will coordinate a site visit.  Jason Berry with AFC is the POC working with Brad.

WCNRC will work with Cooperative Extension and Bankhead National Forest to host an non-native invasive plant workshop in Winston County this year.

Matt Hannah will take the lead on the 501C3 process for Council.  Annual tax filings will be required.

Mike Henshaw and Zack Brannon attended the Alabama Resources Advisory Council meeting.  A news release seeking proposals for RAC funds will come out with a deadline of 8/31.  Mike is serving his last, second, four-year term. Zack is starting his first four-year term.  there is funding in Title 2 currently from four fiscal years from Clay, Winston and Lawrence counties. Approximately $70,000 each was collected from Winston and Lawrence counites.  In Fiscal Year 23 there's been a new selection.  Clay, Lawrence and Winston counties did not opt in to the Title 2 funds.  It is unclear if those counties will receive funds from other titles or not.  Escambia and Talladega counties opted in Title 2 and will generate funds into the program.  An organization from any county can submit proposals, regardless of which counties opted in on Title 2.  The goal of RAC is to foster relationships.  Winston County Natural Resources Council will look for opportunities for RAC project proposals.

Winston County Beekeeper's association meets monthly.

Mike Henshaw will join Maggie Johnson in a meeting at Mims Canoe launch on Thursday, 1/26.  They are meeting with Fred Couch from Alabama Scenic River Trails.

Zack Brannon received an award from ALFA for leadership. Congrats Zack!

Alabama Forestry Commission is having a tree sale in Walker County on 3/3 near the farmer's market.

RC&D is planning a rain barrel and composting workshop in Winston County.  They are also planning outreach meetings in Winston County.  

Bankhead received a NATR grant for trail signage through RC&D.

RC&D hosted an AgExpo at Bevill State College on 1/20 for 10th graders in Marion County. There are plans for a similar event for Winston County students.  

Andy Scott reported on many projects going at Bankhead, including prescribed burning preparation and planning, hiring and vacancies, stewardship timber sales being available, cooperation with the I-22 Regional Commission and a Lawrence County Master Trails group, an upcoming hardwood planting project, and a DOE atmospheric research project installation in Lawrence County at the Black Warrior Work Center.

Treasurer's Report - Two checks have cleared from the recent field day.  Two checks were received for $3000 total as part of the grant for the recent field day.  About $800 out of pocket (above and beyond the grants) was spent on the field day.  Current balance in the bank is $4939.79.

The next meeting is at the Learn and Burn at 688 Sipsey Pines Road in Arley.