July Meeting

The Winston County Natural Resource Council meets on the Third Thursday monthly.  In July, our meeting is planned for Thursday, July 20 at the Bankhead National Forest office in Double Springs.  The meeting begins at 9:00 am.

Alabama’s hemlocks face threat from a deadly insect

 

A regional news story covers threats to and monitoring of Bankhead's hemlocks.  Learn about the partnership with the US Forest Service, Wild Alabama and other volunteers to monitor for the non-native invasive and destructive hemlock woolly adelgid.  Listen to the story and read more here - WBHM

Learn more about the adelgid identification and control here - 

HWA ID and Control

HWA Species Profile

From the Alabama Cooperative Extension - Summer Fawns

 

Lost, Abandoned, or Orphaned Deer Fawns Every summer in Alabama, usually around July and August, white-tailed deer give birth to fawns. Occasionally, these fawns are discovered by humans outside working on their property, hiking, camping, sightseeing, or bird watching. Most people are ex-cited to find a fawn, and it is an amazing sight. Many times, the fawn’s mother (called a doe) is not in the immediate area, and people assume that the fawn is abandoned, orphaned, or lost. Frequently, their good intentions lead them to pick up the fawn and carry it home. However, this is not the right thing to do. Fawns and Does Unlike humans, white-tailed deer mothers don’t spend much time with their fawns for the first few weeks after giving birth. In fact, a doe will only visit her fawn about four to six times a day and for only about 15 to 30 minutes per visit to nurse the fawn. It’s more common for the doe not to be with the fawn during this period. This is normal, natural white-tailed deer behavior that increases the chance of the fawn’s survival. Why don’t does spend more time with their fawns? They don’t spend much time with their newborn fawns because they want to reduce the chance that a predator may find the fawn. Deer fawns are nearly scentless at birth; however, the doe is not scentless. She smells like a deer. The more time she spends around the fawn, the more scent she leaves in the area, and the greater chance a predator may key in on her scent to find the fawn. Additionally, her behavior when around the fawn may cue predators that a fawn is in the area. Although the fawn is capable of walking soon after it’s born (similar to horses), it is still relatively weak and can’t outrun most predators. It’s in the fawn’s best interest to hide and remain still until it is developed enough to outrun predators. What should I do if I find a fawn? Leave it alone. Do not disturb, distract, or touch the fawn. Walk away from the fawn quietly and slowly. Do not call a conservation officer. Officers know that fawns are being born. Do not take the fawn to an animal shelter or veterinary clinic. What if my neighbor picked up a fawn and brought it home? Possession of live wild animals is illegal. A conservation officer won’t grant you a permit to keep the fawn. He or she will write you a ticket for illegal possession and confiscate the fawn. Immediately return the fawn to the exact place where it was found. The doe will be looking for it. Fawns Raised By Humans Aside from it being illegal to possess wild white-tailed deer fawns, there are many challenges to raising a wild fawn at home. The chances of success are slim. The fawn has a far better chance of surviving if it is raised by its mother in the wild. Additionally, fawns that are raised in captivity and then released into the wild have relatively low survival rates because they become accustomed to living around humans and lose some of their natural instincts. Keeping buck (male) fawns can present additional problems as they become sexually mature. Mature bucks that are raised in captivity often become aggressive during the breeding season. This aggression may be turned towards their human caregivers, frequently resulting in serious bodily injuries. Although it may seem like you have to do something to help a fawn, it is far better for the fawn if you do nothing and leave it where you found it. Remember, it is illegal to possess wild white-tailed deer fawns. Myths About Deer Fawns Myth: I didn’t see its mother. It must be orphaned or abandoned. Fact: The doe is likely somewhere close. As mentioned earlier, white-tailed deer mothers spend relatively little time with their fawns during the first few weeks after they are born. The mother knows exactly where she left her fawn. Research with radio-collared does and fawns has shown that doe survival is very high during the summer months, and does rarely abandon their fawns. Myth: If a human touches a fawn, its mother won’t accept it. Fact: If a fawn has been handled by a human and has human scent on it, the doe will still accept the fawn. She just spent 7 months carrying this fawn. A little human scent won’t make her give it up. Myth: It is okay to touch the fawn, you just have to leave it where it is. Fact: It’s not a good idea to touch fawns or to disturb the area where you find one. The more time a person spends around a fawn, the more human scent is left in the area. A clever coyote or domestic dog may follow your human scent trail and find the fawn at the end of it. It is best to slowly leave the area and not return. For more information, contact Mark Smith, Extension Specialist.

Alabama Resource Advisory Committee seeking proposals for Bankhead National Forest

 (Montgomery, Ala.) February 9, 2023—The Alabama Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) is accepting project proposals to review and recommend to the USDA Forest Service beginning February 9, until August 31, 2023. Proposals will benefit natural resources on Bankhead and Talladega National Forests in Winston, Lawrence and Clay counties or other national forests throughout Alabama. The project application and instructions may be found on the Forest Service website at: 

https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/alabama/workingtogether/advisorycommittees

Applicants should download the electronic  RAC Project Application form (fillable word doc.) and consult a local Forest Service district ranger prior to proposal submission. According to Designated Federal Official Tammy Freeman Brown, approximately $224,201 of Title II funding is available for projects through the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act. Approved projects will benefit forest lands, such as road, trail and infrastructure maintenance, forest restoration, water quality, maintenance and improvement of wildlife and fish habitat. Federal agencies, state and local governments, private entities, nonprofit entities and landowners can apply.  

A Secure Rural Schools RAC provides advice and recommendations to the Forest Service on the development and implementation of special projects as authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act,  Public Law 110-343. Contact Dawn Suiter, Alabama RAC Coordinator, or Tammy Freeman Brown, Designated Federal Officer, for additional information at 334-832-4470, tammy.freemanbrown@usda.gov, dawn.suiter@usda.gov. -FS- USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. 

Bankhead Youth Fishing Derby Gets Kids Hooked on Fishing

On Saturday, June 3, about 50 children and their families enjoyed a day of fishing and fun at the Bankhead Annual Youth Fishing Derby.  The event, now in its 28^th year, is much anticipated in the local communities surrounding Bankhead National Forest.  The Forest Service pond was stocked with about 500 pounds of catfish for the derby.  Additional fun activities included archery, air soft shooting, casting contests, and interactive educational booths focused on natural resources conservation. 

According to the Bankhead District Ranger Andy Scott, partnerships and community support in local events is important to the success of fishing derbies around the state.  “Getting young people interested in outdoor activities, like fishing and hunting, is critical to conservation.”  The event was held in celebration of National Fishing and Boating Week, National Trails Day and National Get Outdoors Day.  Most every child caught a fish or two, and every child received a t-shirt, water bottle, goodie bag, and door prize thanks to generous donations.  Three children won lifetime freshwater fishing licenses thanks to the Alabama Conservation Enforcement Officers Association.

Sponsors and partners make the event possible.  This year’s hosts, sponsors and partners included the US Forest Service, the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Alabama Conservation Enforcement Officer’s Association, the Winston County Commission, the Winston County Natural Resources Council, Double Springs Lions Club, Lawrence County Rescue Squad, Alabama Forestry Commission, Alabama Cooperative Extension System and 4H, Wild Alabama and the Department of Energy.

Winners of this year’s casting contest were; Bridger Moore of Haleyville, Kolter Couch of Double Springs and Brooks Kachleman of Florence.  Trophies and prizes for biggest fish were awarded.  The biggest fish overall, measuring at 21 ¼”, was caught by Sophia Garcia of Double Springs.  Winners in the 5-6 year old group included 2^nd place Rylee Young of Town Creek and 1^st place Weston Johnston of Jasper.  In the 7-9 year old group, Brantley Moody took 2^nd place and Ella Moody took first place, both of Double Springs.  In the 10-12 year old group, Fisher Steele of Danville won 2^nd place and Austin Flannagin of Double Springs took 1^st place.

May Council Meeting Minutes

 

The Winston County Natural Resources Council met at 9:00 am on May 18, 2023, at the U. S. Forest Service Office in Double Springs.  The following members were present:  Mark Finley, Mike Henshaw, Matt Hannah, Lauranne James, John Creed, Jamie Segroves, Casey Hammack, Allison Cochran, Andy Scott, and Tyler Fish.  Not pictured was Amy Melson, NW Alabamian.

Allison opened the meeting by introducing the newest team member of the Bankhead Ranger District, Tyler Fish, Natural Resource Specialist.  He is transferring from Alaska to Alabama, and he's originally from Minnesota.  As a Natural Resource Specialist he will be responsible for Recreation, Sipsey Wilderness and Wild and Scenic River Areas, the Heritage Program, Roads and Trails, and Special Uses Permits.  The Council looks forward to working with Tyler in his new position.

Allison gave a brief summary of the TREASURE Forest program in Alabama and the role of the Alabama Natural Resources Council and Winston County Natural Resources Council.

Other items for discussion included:

• Fishing Derby to be held on June 3 at Black Warrior Work Center. It's for youth aged 5-12 and the event be held from 8:30 am to 12:30. Fun and educational activities will be available and there will be free food.
• Andy gave an update on the Bankhead Ranger District.  Filling the numerous vacant positions on the district is a high priority.  There is one active timber sale and others are planned.  The stewardship sales have not been successfully bid thus far, but the district is working with the National Wild Turkey Foundation to facilitate the transactions so that the prescribed management activities can be implemented.
• Andy said 18,000 acres on the Bankhead Ranger District had prescribed burns so far this season.
• Andy gave an update on the situation with the bridges at the Sipsey Picnic Area and Thompson Creek.  Engineers have determined that the bridge at the picnic area is damaged beyond repair and is permanently closed.  What will be done to remove the bridge and provide access to picnic area is unknown at this time.  The bridge at Thompson Creek is damaged, and is open to foot traffic only.
• Andy gave an update on storm damage.  Using high resolution imagery, they were able to determine the extent of storm damage on roads and trails.  He said the imagery also allowed the Weather Service to determine that two tornadoes had impacted the area.
• Andy answered a question about a fire in the Sipsey Wilderness Area.  He said the fire was a wildfire and it was contained using natural landscape features to minimize impacts to the wilderness area.
• Rollins Jolly has transferred to a National Forest in Georgia.
• Allison said the District is working on some new signage for the Natural Bridge recreation site near Houston.
• Lauranne said they will be hosting a Rain Barrel Workshop at the Legion Hall in Double Springs on Thursday, May 25, from 5-7 pm.  Registration is required because there will be a meal served.  
• Lauranne said the NWA RC&D Council is accepting grant applications until June 30 for FY'24.  There is a $5,000 minimum.  
• Mark said the Alabama Landowners Conference will be held at the 4-H Center in Columbiana, October 2-4.
• Mike gave an update on the Alabama Resource Advisory Committee proposal process.  He said that he'd met with Zach Brannon, Winston CEC, and Maggie Johnston, Wild Alabama, about possible RAC proposals.  
• Casey Hammack, Treasurer, stated that the Council had a balance of $7,303.53 on hand.
• Matt led a discussion about the 501c non-profit status.  The current officers signed the documents that will be filed with the State of Alabama to secure non-profit status.

Allison adjourned the meeting, which was followed with a group photo and photos of the document signing.

Mike Henshaw, Vice Chair

Well Owner Workshop Scheduled for May 16th in Moulton

 A well owner workshop is planned for May 16 at 6 PM in Moulton at the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.  Register at REGISTER or visit the Winston County or Lawrence County Extension Office.