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Conservation commission outlines public-outreach push: social media, Cub Day, pollinators and volunteers
Summary
Commissioners discussed expanding outreach through social media, town channels, BCTV segments, Cub Day (April 12), Old Home Days and partnerships with UNH Cooperative Extension, and agreed staff will draft an outreach framework to review in March.
The Bedford Conservation Commission discussed plans to boost public outreach and community engagement, including social media, video segments, volunteer events and partnerships with local organizations.
Kathleen Ports, the town conservation planner, said residents repeatedly ask the commission for practical guidance — for example, on native plants, invasive species and fertilizer use. Commissioners suggested low-cost options such as using existing Facebook pages (trail stewards, Bedford town page), partnering with Bedford Community Television for short informational segments, and linking to UNH Cooperative Extension resources.
Commissioners proposed two near-term initiatives for 2025: expand the existing CUB (community cleanup) program and support pollinator outreach (seed packets, a pollinator garden concept for the parade or Old Home Days). Brian Labrie and other volunteers offered logistical help for parade participation and Cub Day. The commission also discussed seeking interns to support outreach tasks and using the Bedford Women’s Club donation for benches or a picnic table at Marston Dunlap; the commission noted the donation will not cover a kiosk.
Ports said she would draft a basic outreach outline and circulate it ahead of the March workshop so commissioners can review goals and potential channels; several members offered to form a short-term subcommittee to produce a draft monthly posting schedule or an events checklist. Commissioners suggested tapping the high school, Boy Scouts (Eagle projects), and local garden centers for volunteer projects and speaker events.
Events mentioned: the fifth annual Cub Day is scheduled for April 12 (community day of service); the Town parade is May 25; Old Home Days in September (parade and festival). Commissioners agreed to coordinate volunteer logistics for those dates but did not take a formal vote on outreach programs at the meeting.
