Fayette County Learn and Burn Live Fire Event Info

 

WCNRC February Meeting Minutes

 Members Present: Allison Cochran, Chair; Mike Henshaw, Vice Chair; Johnna Franks, Treasurer; Kerri Roberts, Secretary; Andy Scott, Andy Baril, Bill Snoddy, Jimmy Madison, Matt Brock, Maggie Johnston, Brad Nail, Zack Brannon

Allison opened the meeting and addressed the nonprofit status of the WCNRC and stated if we pursue 501(c)3 status, we must have bylaws which include a mission statement. She had emailed all members a draft proposal of bylaws to look over. These were taken from the state natural resources council site and tweaked a bit for Winston County.  The floor was opened to thoughts about the bylaws. 

Johnna noted she became a member in 1989 and the council was already going then but she does not have a copy of bylaws. Original members are no longer involved. Maggie noted she thought that the group at one time had bylaws and must have been a nonprofit and noted we could look on the Secretary of State website. Bill asked if we truly wanted to go after nonprofit status when there are other options. Allison noted that there are grant opportunities to nonprofits for large sums of money and working with larger organization/groups and that she thought it would be a good idea. Zack noted that he had spoken with an accountant that reestablished the Haleyville Community Foundation to nonprofit status and an estimate from this individual was $800 then $600 annually to file the 990 form. Allison said she also talked to a CPA from Cullman that works with the Smith Lake Advocacy, but they would not give any estimates until after tax season. Maggie noted Wild Alabama uses one, Kerri Nichols, who could file an E-990 for $100 as long as it was for amounts <$50,000. 

Allison asked for a motion on: 

1)If the council wishes to pursue moving forward with the nonprofit status. 

2) If we wish to hire a professional to file the paperwork needed. 

Andy Baril seconded the motion. Members present agreed. No one opposed. 

Allison did note the officers will continue working on finding any old bylaws or tweaking newly drafted ones to include information on officer duties and terms. This topic will be revisited next meeting. Everyone is encouraged to read over the drafted bylaws and give input. 

Johnna gave the treasurer report. She noted it was the same as last month, which is $8066.52. Of this amount $663.18 is grant funds for the Alabama Forestry Commission held in the account that was a grant by Joel Bartlett. She has spoken with Casey about spending the money or if they want to donate it to the council. It is earmarked for fire fighting equipment. Johnna also noted she will be retiring from the AFC by summer and wishes to retire from being the WCNRC treasurer also. We should be looking for a new treasurer and she recommends someone local to write checks when needed. Johnna gave an AFC update stating they are behind on burning, working on management plans and Casey has been very busy. Supposed to get trees in for giveaway next week. Will giveaway first week of March. 

Brad noted the AFA is a nonprofit so may can assist our group with the process, if needed. He also updated on the Mims Property canoe access project on Hwy 33. They are working on getting documents signed with the county for fixing the parking area, blocking access to the lower portion and possibly an educational pavilion in the future. The AFA children's book, Lucy Meets a Logger is out and he will get the council a copy. There will be a Learn and Burn in Fayette the week of March 22-26 at the crossroads of 13 and 102. There will be a late spring Learn and Burn on the Walker/Winston line. Watch for flyers on those and share with folks. 

Andy Baril noted the Walker County tree giveaway of long leaf pines to school students will be next month. There is a private pesticide applicator workshop coming up. Walker County tree sale will be March 5 at the Farmer's Market. 

Kerri reported she will also be giving away long leaf pine seedlings to 4-H students in Winston County in March. International Forest Co. is donating the 600 seedlings. 4-H is working on AWW events with high school students from Lynn and Meek and our 4-H ambassador may be asked to interview Andy Scott and Allison about the AWW locations in Bankhead for a short video. 

Maggie gave a Wild Alabama update. The weather has hampered some activities, but they did do a crosscut saw and chainsaw training and are working with Winston County school teachers to plan Citizen Science activities including Hemlock research and repopulating hardwoods by collecting acorns. 

Matt updated on CWD. They have still not had it confirmed in Alabama yet. Had good sample numbers statewide but collection at the Bankhead freezer was really low. Very high deer harvest this year with game check reporting 195,000 deer harvested this year in Al. They had a youth trapping workshop and had 25 kids participate. It was a success and he suggests maybe hosting one in Winston County in the future. 

Andy Scott noted the forest service is very busy. They are gearing up for three timber sales. There is a green salamander study ongoing and silviculture work going on. All recreation sites are open. There is an Americorp Vista position open in the Bankhead. This person would organize volunteers and strengthen partnership opportunities. 

The meeting adjourned. Next meeting March 18 via zoom. 

WCNRC February Meeting tomorrow (2/18/21)

 Hello WCNRC. Reminder about our February meeting which is Thursday, 2/18/21, via zoom at 9:00 am. 

To join in visit www.zoom.us and choose "join meeting" and enter code 829 1389 0653

OR call in to phone number 301 715 8592 and enter the above code. 

As a reminder, please review the proposed bylaws and mission statement that Allison emailed previously as this will be a main topic discussion. 

We hope you can join us from the warmth of your home or office on this cold winter day. 

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE USDA FOREST SERVICE - USDA, Alabama sign historic agreement to improve forest conditions on public and private lands

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE USDA FOREST SERVICE - USDA, Alabama sign historic agreement to improve forest conditions on public and private lands MONTGOMERY, Ala. – January 12, 2021 – USDA Under Secretary of Agriculture James Hubbard and Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed a Shared Stewardship agreement at a virtual signing event today. The agreement is between USDA's Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service, along with, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Alabama Forestry Commission. Shared Stewardship agreements establish a framework for federal and state agencies to collaborate better, focus on accomplishing mutual goals, further common interests and effectively respond to the increasing ecological challenges and natural resource concerns. “Shared stewardship provides an incredible opportunity to work with the state of Alabama to set stewardship priorities together,” said Hubbard. “We will combine our mutual skills and assets to achieve cross-boundary outcomes desired by all.” This new agreement centers on USDA’s commitment to work with states and other partners to use the best available science to identify high-priority forests that need treatment and to ensure the long-term sustainability of public and private lands. “From our rolling mountains to our sparkling coast, the world can understand why they call it ‘Alabama the Beautiful.’ I am pleased that we can build on the conservation efforts already happening through these strong federal and state partnerships,” Gov. Ivey said. “I look forward to our state continually working for the good of the people as well as our natural resources and to preserve our beautiful state for generations to come.” Alabama becomes the 7th state in the South and 23rd in the Nation to sign such an agreement to strengthen partnerships within the state to increase the scope and scale of critical forest treatments that support communities and improve forest conditions. The agreement can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/shared-stewardship. -FS-

WCNRC Meeting Minutes

 January 21 meeting was held via zoom. 

Members present: Allison Cochran- Chair, Mike Henshaw,-Vice Chair, Kerri Roberts-Secretary, P.J. Gossett, Jimmy Madison, Maggie Johnston, Andrew Baril, Zack Brannon

Allison opened the meeting with a check in and with a treasurer report given to her prior to the meeting from Johnna. Account balance is $8066.52 with $663.18 of that being grant money. 

The council 501(c)3 status was discussed. Allison could not find us listed on the state or federal websites for non-profits. Maggie noted that Johnna had given her an IRS letter for the council and that the Walker County Foundation had suggested WCNRC as a non-profit partner for Wild Alabama programs. However, there is usually a 990 form filed and no member present knew if that had taken place. Andy weighed in on the differences in this process for churches.  Kerri asked what the mailing address for the council was. No one was positive but Andy and Mike thought it was the Forestry Commission P.O. Box because the council had initially been the Winston County Forestry Planning Committee under the Alabama Forestry Commission. Allison noted the current IRS number is 63-1206800 and vowed to dig into the unknowns of the council finding out the bank account information, mailing address, and non-profit official status. Zack noted we do not have to be non-profit and the state council is not, but if we want to seek out grant funds for programs, we need to be.

Maggie spoke on Wild Alabama grant for education from the Walker Area Foundation. She'd like ideas for programming in the Winston area. She also thanked the WNCRC for partnership with them and looks forward to many programs. Their website is www.wildal.org . They have a calendar of events and hikes. Maggie also noted their personal treasure forest is under research with MSU for soils research. 

Allison noted we may need to finalize a Mission Statement. The ANRC one was discussed along with a proposed draft mission statement - to promote sustainable natural resources management in Winston County and surrounding areas and to raise awareness of Alabama's abundant natural resources, programs, and management techniques through educational efforts.                                                          

 Mike added we may want to put something about member leadership roles and also adding about efforts to protect organisms. It was discussed if the draft was too wordy and some may need to be in a vision statement. Allison wanted to get all member input. A google doc will be shared on the blog so that any and all can edit the proposed mission statement. 

Kerri and Zack reported on FAWN. All jump drives with videos and nearpod FAWN lessons have been delivered to 6th grade teachers. Jeremy is finishing up delivery of t-shirts. Zack thanked Jimmy, Mike, and Robert for assistance with the video production and thanked the council for opportunity to do it this way this year. Robert has files for Marion County use. Kerri has posted to 4-H Teams site. 

Kerri reported she is still planning to give away tree seedlings to 4-Hers (about 600) in March. Allison gave her a contact for trees in Georgia and they are willing to donate some, if not all. Hoping they will donate long leaf. 

Mike noted Bill Self still wants to host a field day in 2021. 

P.J. reported he is doing a story on Browns Creek County Road 339 and Brad Nail's work that will come out soon. He wondered what impact Jasper Lumber Expansion will have on Winston County. 

Allison noted the Forest Service office is still closed but phones are on. Prescription burns are going on and there have been several wildfires with 3 recently in the wilderness. They have hired seasonal staff, are developing a Black Pond woodland quail habitat (may be a good field trip idea), are doing a reptile and amphibian survey, new aquatic project with mark/recapture of flattened musk turtles and black water dog that will kick off in February. 

Other ideas for 2021 not discussed on the zoom:

    Fishing Derby/Alternative (kid nature/outdoor engagement contest?)

    Support RAC proposals as appropriate

    Support and collaborate on other natural resources grant proposals in Winston Co. (ex. NFWF, NFF,     etc) as appropriate

    Support 4-H programs and others as appropriate

    Sipsey Fork Watershed Program/Campaign?? Water resources (aquatics/quality)awareness, replace         Hwy signage from Sipsey River to Sipsey Fork, welcome to watershed signs/now entering?

    Opportunities to partner with Soil and Water District, AFA, AWW, Wild and Scenic River, Canoe         Trail- Sipsey Fork SHU, other?

    Other Programs/Campaign/Current Issue to pursue?

Meeting adjourned. Next meeting via zoom February 18. 

Mission Statement Google Doc link

 WCNRC members,

We are looking for our own Mission Statement. You can access the below google doc to review and make edits and/or suggestions to the proposed mission statement. 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/12LT9JjF9BS1V6NXRja5rL77qy1ztqaZFMlzYY_Asei8/edit?usp=sharing

January Meeting Scheduled for 9 AM, Thursday, January 21st

Happy New Year! The Winston County Natural Resources Council will meet virtually via ZOOM online meeting platform on Thursday, January 21st at 9:00 am. Active participants in the Council should have received an email with instructions to join the ZOOM meeting. If you did not receive an email with instructions please contact Allison at jera.cochran at usda.gov or Zack at zdb0006 at auburn.edu.