Categories: Nature

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.