The New Canaan Conservation Commission discussed a proposed monthly speaker series and coordination for Earth Day during its Jan. 9 meeting, and members reviewed procedures for planning under Connecticut open-meeting rules.

Commission staff said she had drafted a calendar of topics and would circulate it to commissioners for discussion at the next public meeting; suggested topics include tree planting, bird migration, dark skies, pollinator pathways and noise pollution related to gas-powered leaf blowers. The commission discussed inviting local experts such as Frank Gallo from the New Canaan Nature Center for bird migration and Louise Washer for pollinator pathways.

Why it matters: Commission members said a coordinated, monthlong Earth Day schedule and a public speaker series could increase resident engagement, prevent event conflicts among local groups and provide educational outreach on conservation goals.

FOIA and planning constraints: Staff reminded commissioners that, under Connecticut's Freedom of Information rules, commissioners may not hold substantive offline discussions about commission business that would circumvent public meetings; members may submit ideas individually but must avoid serial back-and-forth that would constitute an unposted meeting.

Next steps: The staff member will share the draft schedule to be discussed and finalized at the February meeting; the commission agreed to aim for a March start for speaker events and to invite identified experts as schedules allow.