U.S. Forest Service
Volunteer Wilderness Rangers' practice hike this Saturday
SIPSEY WILDERNESS - Those interested in learning more about Wild Alabama's Volunteer Wilderness Ranger Program have a chance to do so during a "Saturate the Sipsey" practice hike this Saturday, July 20.
Prescribed burns planned
The Southern Region Prescribed Burn Accomplishment Tracker shows planned prescribed burns and their status. (Courtesy photo)
BANKHEAD NATIONAL FOREST - The USDA Forest Service began its annual season of prescribed burns in the Bankhead National Forest this month.
Forest officials looking at options regarding damaged Sipsey Rec Area bridge
The pedestrian lane of the bridge in the Sipsey Picnic Area was smashed by a falling tree during the high winds of March 3. The entire bridge is unsafe for all forms of traffic. With the lower parking lot and trailhead inaccessible, the U.S. Forest Service is assessing how to proceed.
BANKHEAD NATIONAL FOREST - The fate of the nearly 90-year-old bridge in the Sipsey River Picnic Area, which has been closed since it was damaged by a wind-felled tree on March 3, will not be known for some time.
Bat Blitz returns to the Bankhead
A big brown bat caught during the 2022 Bat Blitz. While bigger than other area cave bats, it is tiny at less than two inches long.
CAMP MCDOWELL - Last week, the bats of the Bankhead National Forest had their moment in the sun—or rather, the moonlight.
Nearly a hundred bat experts and others from at least ten states, plus Norway, converged at Camp McDowell for the 2022 Bat Blitz, an intensive survey of the bat population. Bat Blitzes are organized every year by the Southeastern Bat Diversity Network (SBDN) and a state group, in this case, the Alabama Bat Working Group (ABWG).
Back Country Horsemen approach commission about Bankhead forest trails
DOUBLE SPRINGS - An organization dedicated to equestrian recreation has approached the Winston County Commission, desiring that changes be made in the Bankhead National Forest to provide not only more specific recreational opportunities, but economic development.
Accusations made during commission meeting
Winston County Commission Chairman Roger Hayes notes that the subject of the U.S. Forest Service keeping up forestry roads is a sore subject to him.
DOUBLE SPRINGS - Accusations were made that the Winston County Commission was not following through on their commitment to improve roads as well as being in violation of doing road work on federal property.
County petitions to close access to Caney Creek
Winston County Commission Chairman Roger Hayes explains the county will not tolerate illegal parking on the county right-of-way.
BANKHEAD NATIONAL FOREST - The Winston County Commission has petitioned the U.S. Forest Service to temporarily close access to the area of the Bankhead National Forest off County Road 2 leading to Caney Creek Falls due to parking, overcrowding from visitors and other related dangers.