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

 

Email Subscription Change

One longtime feature of this blog was an email subscription service to notify subscribers when there was a new blog post.  We average two or three new posts each month.  The old service was sponsored by Feedburner, but that service is being phased out by Google, the parent company.  So, we are migrating the email subscription feature to a new company called Mailchimp.  The blog will remain the same as always, but the email updates will move to the new company.  The email updates will probably look different, but will let you know that there has been a new post to the blog.  You should see no interruption or need to take any action on your part.  We hope you will continue to take interest in the Winston County Natural Resources Blog and stay subscribed.  If you have any problems, let me know.  Thanks, Mike

Tour of Albertville Mulch Company

As part of our May Council meeting, we will have an informal tour of the Albertville Mulch Company near Double Springs.  The tour will meet initially at the U. S. Forest Service Office in Double Springs at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 20.  We will then carpool to Albertville Mulch Company.  Participants may also drive directly to the site, also known as the "old Robins sawmill", near Antioch Baptist Church on County Road 2 as shown below.  The address is 1301 County Road 47, Double Springs, AL 35553.  Mr. David Brooks will host our tour and tell us about the company.  If you have any questions, give me a call at 205 272-2106.  Thanks!

Link to Google map of  Albertville Mulch Company

WCNRC April Meeting Minutes

 

WCNRC April Meeting Minutes

 

Members Present: Allison Cochran, Chair, Mike Henshaw, Vice Chair, Kerri Roberts, Secretary, Zack Brannon, John Creed, Maggie Johnston.

 

Allison opened the meeting and members present discussed the vote on the new council treasurer since Johnna Franks is retiring from AFC in June and also wants to retire from the treasurer position for WCNRC. PJ Gossett has volunteered to be the new treasurer. Members will vote on the new treasurer at the May meeting. If possible the old and new treasurer, along with member John Creed (who is on the bank account as second signature) will go to the bank to make the change after the May meeting.

 

Mike noted the May meeting will be a tour of Albertville Mulch owned by David Brooks off County Road 2. Members will meet at the Bankhead headquarters in Double Springs at 9 on May 20 and carpool to the business for the tour.

 

Zack updated on the Learn and Burn in Walker County the last week of April and the Invasive Species Workshop in Marion County on May 18. He will be posting a flyer for that event to the blog. CEUs and PLMs will be given for attendance.  Andy Baril and Lucy Edwards of Extension are hosting this event. Zack is presenting on sprayer calibration. Funds donated for the event will purchase 2 sprayers to be placed in different locations in NW Alabama and will be able to be checked out for use from Extension Offices.

 

Zack and Kerri mentioned  the Extension Natural Resources Agent awards application for “friends of completing natural resources education” category. Kerri thought the council’s efforts on the FAWN video series to have the program continue during a pandemic should be entered for consideration. The members present agreed. Zack will get with Andy Baril, whom we think is a member of the association, for guidance.

 

Kerri noted there will be a 4-H Forestry day camp on June 23 at Brushy Lake.

 

Zack asked if there was interest among members to host a hog trapping field day. He stated Rawlins Jolly with the forest service was interested in that work and that there are several traps across the county. One is in the east part of the county and could be the location for a field day. Members present thought it would be a good topic.

 

Allison noted the fishing derby will not happen this year.

 

Maggie invited members to her property that is being managed by Mississippi State students for research on soil amendments on reclaimed mining property. This will happen the week of May 3-7 (date not yet set). Maggie will get an invitation/flyer to Allison to post on the blog. This is just an additional educational opportunity. Maggie also noted citizen science projects with Wild Alabama are continuing and progressing with the Hemlock and acorn projects.

 

Allison updated that Heather Eddy is a new Americorps employee who will serve as the Bankhead Volunteer Coordinator.  Hope to get her involved with the Council.

Autumn Watrous is the new Quail Forever Biologist stationed in Cullman.  Have invited her to come to a future meeting and network for opportunities with private landowners, especially. 

Bankhead is continuing prescribed burning and busy with many forest management projects.  We continue in the planning of a longleaf pine woodland and quail habitat improvement project in the Black Pond area.  Stay tuned for more opportunities to learn and collaborate. More to come!

Bankhead is working on a land exchange. There are two priority tracts on the Sipsey Fork in the Moreland area that a landowner is interested in exchanging.  Several Forest Service outlying/isolated tracts are being considered for an equal value exchange. Contact Andy Scott for more information or to comment.

 

Meeting adjourned. Next meeting May 20- field trip to Albertville Mulch.

Meet at Forest Service Office at 9.