Free Rain Barrel Workshop in Florence

This is Heath King with the Northwest AL RC&D Council. We have secured a grant that will allow us to host a FREE Rain Barrel workshop at the Lauderdale County ACES office on December 1, 2010 at 9 a.m.. This will be a joint project with Extension staff involvement as well as other dedicated volunteers.

 

I have attached a flyer and a pre-registration form. Please distribute these items to your contacts at schools, community centers, and any other individuals that are interested in the positive benefits of recycling precious natural resources through the use of Rain Barrels.

The grant will allow the workshop to be free and each participant will get to construct their own rain barrel and take it with them. Registration will be first come, first serve so make sure any interested parties email, snail mail, or fax the attached pre-registration form back to me in a timely manner. My contact info is listed on the pre-registration form.  See registration form here.

Hi, Lake lovers! Our Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy lake signage project that has been funded by the Northwest Alabama Resource Conservation and Development Council is coming to life! See the attached photo of the first sign to be erected of 33. These 33 signs will identify to boaters all 33 creeks and feeders along the Smith Lake shores in Winston County. Our great friends at Winston Steel are working with us to put up the signs.

Many thanks to Tom Grubbs and Burt Jones of WCSLAI, and all those who have been instrumental in making our lake even better than ever!

Linda Atkinson
For your Board of Directors

Rock Creek (Water Shed) Clean-up

We are planning a 2 day clean-up with our boat/barge Tuesday Oct. 26th & Wenseday 27th., to remove the rest of the white styrofoam still floatingor laying on the shoreline.We need 6 people working on the barge each day.Do you live on Rock,White Oak,Crooked Creeks or Little Crooked Creek.These are the areas we will be picking up styrofoam in. Can you help us for a day,give me a call 256-747-4422 I'll tell you where to meet us each morning. WHEN THIS CLEAN-UP IS COMPLETED,HOPEFULLY WE WILL NOT SEE ANYMORE WHITE STYROFOAM!!

Winston County FAWN Programs Held at Houston Recreation Area

The 2010 Winston County FAWN Program was held on October 13 and 14, at the Houston Recreation Area in the Bankhead National Forest. 335 sixth graders attended the outdoor field days that included eight learning stations on a variety of natural resource and safety topics. Photos for the FAWN for the Addison, Double Springs, and Lynn Schools are available here. The photos for the FAWN program for the Haleyville and Meek Schools are available here. Thanks to all the partners that work together to provide the FAWN program for all Winston County sixth graders. Here's a partial list of the sponsors:

AL Cooperative Extension System/Winston County Office
AL Dept. of Conservation & Natural Resources
Alabama Forestry Commission
Cradle of Forestry
Forest Stewardship Education Committee
Gateway Foods, Double Springs
Haleyville Board of Education
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
Northwest Alabama RC&D Council
Regional Paramedical Services
Soil & Water Conservation District/Winston County Office
U. S. Forest Service, Bankhead National Forest
Winston County Assign-A-Highway
Winston County Board of Education
Winston County Commission
Winston County Emergency Management
Winston County Farmers Federation
Winston County Natural Resources Council
Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy Inc.

Fire Restrictions

U. S. Forest Service Restricts Fire Use in Bankhead National Forest
Posted: 01 Oct 2010 01:52 PM PDT
Montgomery, AL (September 28, 2010) ---- Because of the extreme dry conditions that can possibly lead to wildfires, the U.S. Forest Service is alerting all forest users to be aware of specific public fire use restrictions in Alabama’s national forests. Forest Supervisor Miera C. Nagy recently signed an order that prohibits the use of fire in wilderness areas in the Bankhead and Talladega National Forests.
To protect the public and natural resources from the threat of wildfires, the following public restrictions are effective September 24, 2010 and will remain in effect until October 31, 2010:
Bankhead National Forest – Sipsey Wilderness; Talladega National Forest (Talladega and Shoal Creek Districts) - Dugger Wilderness and Cheaha Wilderness
 Building, maintaining, attending, using a fire or campfire (wood or charcoal) at any wilderness area located on the Bankhead, Shoal Creek, and Talladega Ranger Districts of the National Forests in Alabama; except, the use of gas generated fire in a Coleman-type or backpacking stove will be allowed throughout the Sipsey, Dugger, and Cheaha Wilderness Areas on the Bankhead, Shoal Creek, and Talladega Ranger Districts. 36 CFR 261.52(a).
 Violating any state law concerning burning or fires which are implemented for the purpose of preventing or restricting the spread of fires. 36 CFR 261.52(k)
 Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50 (e), the following persons are exempt from the order: Any federal, state, local officer or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting team or those holding a permit specifically authorizing the use of fire.
Anyone found violating any of these prohibitions might face a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization or imprisonment for not more than six months or both.
Forest Service officials advise that if you are planning to spend a few days in the national forest, you should look for changes in restrictions, which could change according to fire weather conditions. Human-caused fires can be reduced during these very dry conditions when everyone work together to prevent wildfires.
For information concerning any public restrictions and closure orders, please contact a U.S. Forest Service district office before visiting: Bankhead District (205) 489-5111, Conecuh District (334) 222-2555, Shoal Creek District (256) 463-2272; Talladega District (256) 362-2909; Oakmulgee District (205) 926-9765; and the Tuskegee District (334) 727-2652.