At its June 26 meeting the Manchester Conservation Commission discussed a range of outreach and funding topics, including a planned tree‑planting event in Pulaski Park, ideas for simple park tours and community activities, potential grant sources such as the state moose‑plate program, and other items raised during "other business."

Commission members reported that Parks & Recreation plans to plant approximately six trees in Pulaski Park in the coming months and suggested the commission coordinate a volunteer planting or an educational demonstration of how trees are balled, burlapped and planted. Commissioners discussed scheduling such events on a Saturday morning at 10 a.m., providing hands‑on opportunities (shovels, planting) or a more observational role depending on Parks & Rec plans, and coordinating with the Heritage Commission or historical groups for park history narration.

Members suggested low‑overhead outreach formats — short tours, repeatable events, or small scale activities — rather than complicated, heavily planned events. Ideas included partnering with Millennium Running for a branded 5K or scavenger hunt in city parks, setting up booths at park events, and asking local businesses to provide small incentives (discounts or gift cards) for volunteer participants.

On funding, commissioners noted the commission’s bank balance (described in discussion as a modest balance) and explored grant opportunities. One commissioner volunteered to investigate Moose Plate grant eligibility and criteria for conservation projects and to report back; commissioners noted that some New Hampshire towns use grant funds or conservation fees to build acquisition funds for opportunistic purchases. The commission discussed the need to identify shovel‑ready projects that match available grant criteria if funds become available.

During other business commissioners also discussed: a small wooded city parcel at the corner of Beech and Smith streets that a resident suggested might be worth protecting (commissioners described the parcel as small, wooded, largely inaccessible and likely unsuitable for acquisition at the listed price); a reported turtle mortality issue on Countryside related to animals crossing roadways and suggestions to ask Public Works about turtle crossing signage; and questions about access to the Innovation/Research Park development, which staff said will be determined through planning and public‑works review as development proposals are filed.

A commission member announced that they will be leaving Manchester and therefore will not continue serving; the commission noted that alternates and candidate replacements (including a nominated alternate, Tom Polangus) are in process through the nomination and Board of Mayor and Aldermen confirmation steps. The commission encouraged members to think of projects to nominate for grants and to assemble short project descriptions so funds can be deployed when opportunities arise.