Minutes for August 19, 2021

The Winston County Natural Resources Council met Thursday, August 19, 2021, at the pavilion at the Houston Recreation Area. Those in attendance were Allison Cochran, John Creed, P.J. Gossett, Zack Brannon, Mark Finley, Maggie Johnston, Mike Henshaw, Jamie Seagrove and Casey Hammack.

Sponsored by the Alabama Forestry Commission, the U.S. Forest Service, Alabama Extension and the Winston County Natural Resources Council, a wild pig management workshop will be conducted Tuesday, Sept. 14, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Grant Hayes’ farm at 22 National Forest Road 266 in Addison.

The workshop will cover wild pig history, biology, ecology, implications to humans and livestock, trapping techniques, trap designs and removal methods.

“We have Rollins Jolly with the forest service who is bringing a couple of different types of traps to set up,” Zack Brannon, Winston County Extension agent, said. “Grant Hayes’ farm at Addison already has traps set up that he is currently using to combat the problem he has. Rollins will go through the history and biology.” Brannon continued by mentioning a hand washing station will be available and regional Extension agent Paul Vining from Lawrence County will be attending.

“He’s going to dive in to the damage in pastures and hay fields aspect of the workshop,” Brannon said.

The workshop is free, though attendees are asked to RSVP to the Winston County Extension Office by calling (205) 489-5376 by Friday, Sept. 10. Lunch (barbecue) and snacks will be provided. To get to the workshop, turn north on County Road 41 at the main intersection in Addison. Travel 3.6 miles and turn left onto NFR 266 at the Looney’s Tavern historical marker. Then turn right at the first driveway and keep left.

Also discussed at the WCNRC meeting Thursday, Aug. 19, was the upcoming Forestry Awareness Week Now event usually held in October. Plans for the event are difficult to make with the current Delta spike of the COVID-19, since schools will not know their situation at the time. It was decided to have the next council meeting at the wild pig workshop on Sept. 14, at 8 a.m. and to decide on FAWN then. “I have to get a better answer from the individual schools and principals,” Brannon said. “We don’t have a date set, but we were looking between the first and second full week of October.”

There are multiple stations for FAWN every year, and this year four of these stations are no longer available by those who normally do them. Andy Baril, who did the “flag-a-tree” station, has retired, while the water erosion table station is unavailable due to the pandemic. Charles Brannon, who worked the beekeeping station, passed away recently. With Kerri Roberts accepting the 4-H agent position in Cullman County, either the GPS or River Kids station will have a vacant instructor.

After discussion, it was learned other instructors and a watershed trailer will be able to fill these stations.

“We’re going to plug and play,” Brannon added, who also mentioned he had extra funds available from a grant which fell through. The money can be used for FAWN and the fishing derby. He said he has set aside $5,000 for FAWN and $2,500 for the fishing derby.

Allison Cochran, chair of the council, mentioned Roberts leaving the county. This leaves the secretary position for the WCNRC open. After a discussion, Treasurer P.J. Gossett agreed to be the interim secretary. He gave the treasurer’s report, which has a balance of $8,065.15 for the council.

Cochran mentioned the Alabama Landowner Conference will be taking place Oct. 21-22 at the 4-H Center in Columbiana. In addition to the conference, the Alabama Natural Resources Council will be having an awards banquet. The conference includes longleaf management, turkey management, agency updates, carbon credits, using private contractors and forest health. For registration and information, visit treasureforest.org.

Bylaws have been circulated electronically to members of the WCNRC. Everyone had the opportunity to read them beforehand. Cochran asked for a vote to set the bylaws in place. Maggie Johnston of Wild Alabama made a motion with Brannon seconding, making the bylaws official. Cochran said she has not made any progress with the non-profit status yet but promises to continue working on it.

The council welcomed new forester Jamie Seagrove who attended the meeting. He came from Pike County, though he was originally from Cullman.

Retired Extension agent Mike Henshaw is now the current co-chair for Resource Advisory Council, which concerns taxes and the national forests.

The land the boat launch near Double Springs on the Sipsey is on has been leased to the county recently. This is the Mims property, which is in a land trust.

“I have already gotten an estimated bid from the county engineer to do the work they would do there,” Brannon said. “It’s just road access to allow individuals a safer and better way (to get to the water).”

Casey Hammack mentioned the Alabama Forestry Commission has had some site prep projects lately.

Johnston discussed a 190 acre section of land in Lawrence County bordering the forest that came up for auction in the last couple of weeks. The owner is working with a board member of Wild Alabama to see if the land can be combined with the forest or even the Sipsey Wilderness.

A clean water workshop will be at Camp McDowell on Sept. 1. from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Brannon said. A registration link is available on the WCNRC blog at wcnrc.blogspot.com.

Council Meeting Thursday, August 19

The Winston County Natural Resources Council will hold our regular monthly meeting on Thursday, August 19th at 0900 at the Houston Recreation Area Day Use Pavilion.

 Winston County Landowner Tour

September 1, 2021 8:00am - 3:00pm at Camp McDowell

We all live in a watershed even though we may not realize it. Put simply, a watershed includes all land that drains into a body of water. Majority of Alabama residents gets their drinking water from rivers and runoff. As rainwater flows to the nearest downslope body of water is comes in contact with anything we pour, drop, or place on the ground. This body of water could be on your Tree Farm, fishing pond, or your town’s water source. 

 Alabama Tree Farm System invite you to attend their Winston County landowner Tour. This outdoor tour will include tips and tools landowners can use to ensure their forest is healthy resulting in clean water for everyone. Topics include ways to improve your forest through Forest management, Pond management and Certifications. Lunch and door prizes are provided so register to join us. Also, CFE and PLM credits will be awarded to attendees needing continuing education credits. 

 5 PLM and 5 CFE Category 1 credits will be offered 

For more information contact Brad Nail at 334-481-2154 or bnail@alaforestry.org   

Online Registration: Alabama Forestry Association (alaforestry.org)

WCNRC July Meeting Minutes

 

The Winston County Natural Resources Council held a brief meeting Thursday, July 15, 2021, at the Houston Recreation Area. Those in attendance were Treasurer P.J. Gossett, Mark and Terri Finley with Alabama Treasured Forests, Lauranne James with the Northwest Alabama RC&D Council, and Heather Eddy from the Bankhead National Forest with the Youth Conservation Corps, consisting of Roc Carey, Kendan Garrison, and Wyatt McDonald.

P.J. gave the current ending balance in the checking account as $8,064.81.

Heather mentioned Wild Alabama has been giving Wild Wednesdays, offering family-oriented hikes to easy places, which will show what the area has to offer. Led by Janice Barrett, outreach and education coordinator of Wild Alabama, the hikes are appropriate for all ages and abilities. However, the trails can be rough and rocky. The outings are free, though donations will be accepted.

Mark had spoken with Zack Brannon, who confirmed FAWN this year will be in person. Zack’s feral swine workshop has a tentative date set for September 14, with September 24, set as a weather date. Funding has been secured from Rick Pate, the Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries. A site has been selected for the workshop, and speakers have been lined up.

Mark also mentioned an Alabama Treasured Forest workshop. The amount of money designated for this varies depending on each county’s population of members. Some funds might be available for a program or event for the workshop, to be held at a later date.

Lauranne said RC&D is just beginning to open up from the pandemic. She mentioned there is money available from the organization for outreach meetings, workshops, expos, etc. The money can be used for a wide variety of these meetings from agriculture and farming to the forest. It is available to landowners and giving people knowledge and educated about what is available in Northwest Alabama.

The next WCNRC meeting has been set at the scheduled time for Thursday, August 19, at 9 a.m. at the pavilion at the Houston Recreation Area.

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

WCNRC Meeting Scheduled for June 17, 2021, 9:00 AM at the Houston Recreation Area Pavilion

The next meeting of the Winston County Natural Resources Council is scheduled for June 17, 2021 at 9:00 AM at the Houston Recreation Area Pavilion.

WCNRC May Minutes

 

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 2^nd 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