May Council Meeting Minutes

The Winston County Natural Resources Council met on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at the Ravenwood property in Lawrence County owned by John and Rhonda Riley.  Present were: John Creed, Tyler Fish, Matt Hannah, Donna Shanklin, Ally Evans, Zach Brannon, Andy Scott, John and Rhonda Riley, Chris Horne, Austin Blankenship, Stanley Johnson, Mark Finley, Jamie Segroves, Amy Melson, Mike Henshaw, and Heather Tucker. 

Jamie called the meeting to order, and Mike welcomed everyone to Ravenwood.  Heather Tucker is the excutive director of Wild Alabama, and she gave a brief history of Wild Alabama.  She further described some of the long term plans for the organization which includes the construction of a new headquarters and welcome center for Bankhead visitors.  The owners of Ravenwood, John and Rhonda Riley, have donated several acres of land to be the site of the new Wild Alabama headquarters.  Temporarily, the headquarters is housed in Double Springs, but with a successful capital campaign, they hope to build on the new property in Lawrence County.

Next, John and Rhonda gave a history of how they came to own Ravenwood, improvements they have made, and future plans for the property.  They hope that the property will be an asset to the community, and they hope to be an active partner with the Bankhead National Forest and Wild Alabama as well as various other partners in Lawrence and Winston Counties.  

Jamie then reviewed the changes proposed to the bylaws. Those draft changes were approved by the council in April for final approval at the May Council meeting.  Zach moved to accept the proposed changes to the bylaws.  Matt seconded the motion.  Jamie called for a vote and the motion carried with no members opposed.  

Jamie said that Casey was at a training meeting, but he had sent a Treasurer's Report.  The previous balance was $8,642.49, and the current balance is $7,892.85.  Mike moved to accept the report, Matt seconded the motion, and all present agreed.

The June Council meeting would normally be on June 19, however this is a federal and state holiday, so the Council will not meet in June.

Mike moved that we adjourn, Matt seconced, and the motion carried.

Following the Council meeting John and Rhonda split the group up and gave each group a tour of Ravenwood.  After the tour, the Rileys provided the Council with a box lunch.  The entire Council is very appreciative of the opportunity to tour Ravenwood and thank the Rileys for the hospitality.

Submitted by Mike Henshaw, Secretary  

April Council Meeting Minutes

The Winston County Natural Resources Council met on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at the Natural Bridge Recreation Area near Houston.  The following members were present:  Zach Brannon, Mike Henshaw, Matt Hannah, Casey Hammack, Jamie Segroves, Andy Scott, and other members.  The primary purpose of this meeting was to prepare for the Forestry Field Day to be held on the following day, Friday, April 24.  Various preparations were made including inspecting the learning stations on the trail, putting up signage, and picking the sites for the portable toilets.  Jamie reviewed the proposed changes to the bylaws to be voted on at a subsequent council meeting.  The change to the bylaws will change the requirement to have the financial records inspected by an outside accounting firm to an annual requirement to have the records inspected by the officers of the council.  Zach proposed accepting the draft of the proposed changes, Matt seconded motion and all agreed.  Mike moved that the meeting be adjourned, Matt seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

Mike Henshaw, Secretary

March Council Meeting Minutes

 

The Winston County Natural Resources Council met on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at the Lakeshore Inn and Restaurant.  This meeting was held just prior to the Northwest Alabama RC&D Council at Lakeshore.  Present were Paul Green, Jamie Segroves, Andy Scott, Mark Finley, Zach Brannon, Maggie Johnston, Amy Melson, Casey Hammack, and Mike Henshaw.  The following items were discussed:

• Farmers Market Flyer - Zach
• Learn and Burn - Jamie.  He noted that the event had 20 participants and the weather was favorable for the prescribed burn.
• Paul Green - update on NRCS EQIP Programs
• Update on USFS Prescribed Fire Acreage.  Andy noted that due to poor weather for prescribed fire, the District is behind schedule on the planned 20,000 acres to be treated with prescribed fire.
• Andy also gave an update on timber sales, pine beetle activity, wild turkey season, special use permits, and improvements to the Hurricane Creek Archery Range.
• Mark informed the council about the TREASURE Forest seminar to be held at Gulf Shores.
• Zach gave progress reports on the Boy Scouts, FFA, Learn and Burn in Walker Co., the Enviroscape, and Earth Day.
• Andy brought up an event to be held at Joe Wheeler State Park called Feather Fest on April 12.
• Zach said ACES would be holding a Homesteading workshop in Etheridge.
• Maggie said Mark was doing great after his surgery.  She also promoted a Nature-based learning event that she will be promoting.
• Amy gave a report of the activities at the Northwest Alabamian.
• The Landowner Field Day to be held on April 25 was discussed.  Walk-Thru to be held at the Natural Bridge near Houston on Thursday, April 24 to clean up the site and put up signs.  Food will be BBQ, trailer and ice will be on hand, Casey will order portable toilets.
• Ravenwood field trip will be held Thursday, May 15.
• Casey gave a treasurer's report with a balance of $8,642.13.  He also gave an update on the IRS forms and the IRS confirmation letter.  Mike moved that we approve the Treasurer's Report, Zac seconded. All approved.
• Jamie said a by-laws change is needed concerning the requirement to have a CPA check the accounts each year.  He is going to propose the by-law changes at an upcoming meeting.  Then, the actual approval of the by-law changes would have to be voted on at a subsequent council meeting.  Zach moved we have Jamie draw up the proposed by-law changes and Maggie seconded his motion.  All approved.
• Mike moved to adjourn the meeting, Zach seconded and all approved.

Submitted by Mike Henshaw, Secretary

March Council Meeting

The March meeting of the Winston County Natural Resources Council will be held at Lakeshore Inn Restaurant at 9:00 am on Thursday, March 20.  After the WCNRC meeting, The Northwest RC&D Council Quarterly Outreach meeting will start at 10:00 am at Lakeshore.  

Hope to see you there,

Mike Henshaw, Secretary

WCNRC

Landowner Field Day on Friday, April 25

 

March Council Meeting Location Change

Council Members,

The WCNRC and the NW RC&D Council meet on the same day this month, so I wanted to alert you to a slight change in plans.  Jamie Segroves, Chairman, decided that we will meet at Lakeshore Inn Restaurant at 9:00 am on Thursday, March 20, for a brief council meeting, then many of our members will want to stay for the NW RC&D Council meeting that begins at 10:00 am. and ends at noon.  All WCNRC members are welcome to stay for the NW RC&D meeting, but registration is required for that meeting by Wednesday, March 12.  Here is the link to register, or you may call Vanessa King at 256-383-1446.

If you have not been to a NW RC&D Council meeting before, it is a great place to network and learn about innovative projects going on in Winston and some of our surrounding counties.  I'll send another reminder about the meeting a couple of days before the council meeting.  Look forward to seeing you at Lakeshore! 

Mike Henshaw, Secretary

WCNRC

Winston County Tree Giveaway

 

Minutes of the February Meeting

The Winston County Natural Resources Council met on February, 20, 2025, at the U. S. Forest Service in Double Springs.  Members present were: John Creed, Matt Hannah, Jamie Segroves, Vanessa King, Mike Henshaw, Paul Green, Kerry Clark, not pictured, Allison Cochran, Amy Melson, and Mark Finley.  Photo by Rita Patterson.

• Mike brought the meeting to order, as Jamie, the Chairman, was delayed.  Vanessa told us about damage to her son's school in Tuscumbia from a possible tornado.  The Shoals area had considerable damage from the recent storms.
• Vanessa and Jamie gave an update on the status of the RC&D grant that helped the council acquire an ice machine and a tour trailer for landowner field days and other events.  Both items have been purchased and delivered and are ready for use.  About $300 was needed for the ice machine installation, which was under the $1,000 budget the council allowed.  Jamie also recorded a thank you video to the RC&D Council which Vanessa played for the meeting.
• The April 25th Landowner Field Day was discussed.  We will need to start promoting the field day soon.  The Winston County Extension Office will need to update the flyer that we had for last fall for the new date.  Vanessa said that they could cover some or all of the meal for the field day as well as portable toilet rentals.
• An Auburn University project in partnership with the U. S. Forest Service in Alabama called the Sentinial Garden was mentioned.  Andy Scott suggested that any interested members participate in a survey that will guage interest in different species of plants that will be planted in the Sentinal Garden.
• The upcoming Learn and Burn for Winston County will be held the week of March 10.  A flyer is posted on this blog at this link, and on Facebook at this link.
  
• A Tree Giveaway will be held on March 6, at B&B motors near the intersection of Hwy 33 and U. S. 278 from 9am to Noon.  More info at this link.
• The Walker County Tree Sale will be on March 7 and 8, at the Walker County Farmers Market on Airport Road.
• Matt had a question for the council members about power line right-of-way issues for a landower that has acreage that he uses for veterans in crisis activities.
• Vanessa said the next NW RC&D Quarterly meeting would be held at the end of March at Lakeshore Restaurant.  More details will be announced later.
• Kerry said that prescribed burns scheduled for National Forest lands was behind schedule this season due to poor weather conditions.  Any favorable weather will help them catch up.
• Kerry also said initial surveys for pine beetle activity had not been positive and it could be a bad sign for more beetle activity this season.
• A portion of an old gear from a water powered mill site is being considered for a interpretive display about the history of old mills in the area.  Vanessa encouraged the council to apply for a grant to help build the display.
• Allison gave an update on the feral hog trapping season on the district.  She said that APHIS trapping continues, and they have gotten numbers on par with previous years.  She also said Tennessee State University researchers have found a salamander species on the Bankhead that is the first recorded here.
• The Bankhead Liaison Panel meeting scheduled for February 20 was cancelled.
• Allison said the Wolf Pen Hunter Camp will have limited access for users while hazardous pine beetle-killed trees are removed.
• Matt moved that the meeting be adjourned and John seconded.  All agreed.

submitted by Mike Henshaw, Secretary, WCNRC

Learn and Burn in Winston County

 

February Council Meeting

Council Members,

The next meeting will be held at the U. S. Forest Service office in Double Springs on Thursday, February 20, at 9:00 a.m.  We'll plan our upcoming Landowner Field Day and Field Trip to Ravenwood in Lawrence County.  

Also, Andy Scott asked me to share the attached flyer for the Sentinel Garden Survey.  The survey can be accessed directly by clicking on this link:

https://aub.ie/SentinelGarden

Look forward to seeing you at the council meeting.

Mike Henshaw, Secretary - WCNRC

Minutes of January Council Meeting

The Winston County Natural Resources Council met on January 16, 2025, at the U. S. Forest Service Office in Double Springs.  The following members where present:  Andy Scott, John Creed, Allison Cochran, Chris Horne, Casey Hammack, Matt Hannah, Mark Finley, Mike Henshaw, Heather Tucker, Amy Melson, Amberia Spiller, Paul Green, Jamie Segroves, and Lauranne James.  

Mike called the meeting to order.  The following items were discussed:

• Heather gave an update on Mark Johnston, who had open heart surgery at UAB.  His wife Maggie Johnston has reported that he is recovering well, but is expect to be in the hospital for a few days.
• Mike said he'd spoken with Donna Shanklin, the Lawrence County Extension Coordinator, about the May 15 Council meeting planned at Ravenwood near Wren.  The Lawrence County Planning Committee with partner with us on that meeting.
• Heather gave an update on the Wild Alabama Office moving from Moulton to Double Springs.  The temporary office will be at the former doctors office between First National Bank and the Listerhill Credit Union.  Eventually, they will move to property they own near Wren.
• Lawrence County Planning Committee is planning a fishing derby on May 2-3 in conjunction with the Strawberry Festival.  Andy noted that we would want to avoid any confusion with the Bankhead Fishing Derby that is tentatively planned for Saturday, June 7, at the Black Warrior Work Center.
• Casey gave a Treasurer's Report and stated that the balance was $8,311.60.  John moved we accept this report which was seconded by Allison.  All were in favor.
• Casey said he is working on the annual IRS report for the council and would need to make a few changes at the bank and get a debit card.  Matt moved that we approve these changes and John seconded.  All were in favor.
• Mike said that the Fayette County Forestry Planning Committee has requested info on how to set a tax exempt status.  Matt and Casey said they would share any info that would help them get started.
• Casey reviewed the progress he's made on the RC&D Council grant.  The trailer and benches have been ordered, but delivery will take about 30 days.  The ice machine will be ordered soon and Lauranne will help us expedite that process.  There is a need for some additional funds to install the ice machine at the Forestry Commission Office.  Matt moved that the council approve up to $1,000 for materials to install the ice machine.  Allison seconded the motion and all were in favor.
• Casey said he needed to pick up a $1,000 check from the Conservation Officers Association for FAWN.  Thanks to all the Conservation Officers and especially Ernie Stephens for their support.
• Mark said that the transportation cost for the FAWN program had been covered by the Winston County Board of Education.  Thanks to Mark for making that possible!
• Details for the Forestry Field Day scheduled for April 25 were discussed.
• Casey said we deposited $2,500 from the NW RC&D Council for the FAWN program costs.  Thanks to Lauranne for RC&D support.

Mike moved that we adjorn, Matt seconded the motion and all were in favor.

Mike Henshaw, Secretary

WCNRC

January Meeting of the WCNRC

The next meeting will be held at the U. S. Forest Service office in Double Springs on Thursday, January 16, at 9:00 a.m.  We'll look at some of the upcoming activities planned for the new year.

Look forward to seeing you there,

Mike Henshaw, Secretary - WCNRC