Part of the “Saving Alabama’s Hemlocks” exhibit now at the Little Rock Building in Double Springs.
DOUBLE SPRINGS - A Wild Alabama art exhibit called “Conservation through Art: Saving Alabama's Hemlocks” opened at the Little Rock Building in Double Springs last week, and a number of related workshops and events are coming up.
An aerial view of Southern pine beetle infestations scattered through the forest near Rock Creek Baptist Church, about three miles north of Double Springs, on Tuesday, Aug. 20. (Photo by Mike Henshaw, Winston County Natural Resources Council)
WINSTON COUNTY - The Alabama Forestry Commission announced last week that Southern pine beetle infestations have reached "epidemic" levels in the state and identified Winston County and the Bankhead National Forest among the worst hit areas.
The August 22, AFC press release said the organization had identified nearly 5,000 SPB spots, "with an average mortality of 191 pine trees per spot," across Alabama as of that date, but on Tuesday, Aug. 27, Acting Bankhead District Ranger Tyler Fish said there are over 1,000 individual spots in the Bankhead alone.
The area highlighted in red on the map above is the flight area where the ARM ArcticShark UAS will be flying today through August 7, to collect meteorological data above the Bankhead National Forest, including areas in Winston County. (Courtesy photo)
BANKHEAD NATIONAL FOREST - From today through Wednesday, August 7, residents may hear and see what appears to be a strange-looking small plane flying low and slow over the Bankhead National Forest.
Black Pond Fire Chief Terry Tidwell says it’s a rough situation for firefighters responding to calls on County Road 315 due to its deteriorating condition.
DOUBLE SPRINGS - A group of residents who live along County Road 315 in the Black Pond community informed the Winston County Commission they have traveled a rough road trying to get road improvements made, urging commissioners to help them with funding and resources.
WINSTON COUNTY - With summertime upon us, the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA) announces an expansion to the extremely popular Waterfalls of North Alabama Trail.
BANKHEAD NATIONAL FOREST - The recent fall of a hiker down a rocky ledge at a waterfall has prompted state and local officials to issue some key safety tips when using the forest the midst of its peak season of usage.
BANKHEAD NATIONAL FOREST - With rain improving drought conditions in some parts of Alabama, USDA Forest Service Acting Forest Supervisor Melvin Harris has updated a closure order to reduce fire restriction locations.
