Commission outlines education, pollinator and invasive-species outreach; volunteers and schools to be engaged

Commissioners discussed several education and community-outreach initiatives, including school visits, a pollinator-garden idea, a Girl Scouts invasive-species project referred by Community Development, and potential volunteer events.

Commissioner Welch reported on a visit to the New Hampshire Audubon Center and suggested the Audubon’s pollinator-garden work could inform a town project. Commissioners noted Greater Woods previously had a small pollinator garden and identified Wildcat and other properties with suitable sites. The commission agreed to follow up with subcommittees to identify appropriate kiosk locations and to circulate printed flyers for events.

Community Development referred a Girl Scouts group seeking conservation support; the commission asked for more details and welcomed the applicant to a future meeting. Commissioners also discussed using EDDS (an invasive-species reporting and mapping tool) to compile an inventory and coordinate volunteer pulls. One commissioner described a local contractor who uses high-pressure steam equipment to treat invasive plants; members discussed whether steam, propane torches or mechanical removal would be appropriate tools for infestations such as garlic mustard and kudzu.

The commission asked subcommittees to consider pollinator projects, volunteer activities such as a BioBlitz, and to develop short proposals for school outreach. The Girl Scouts request was placed on the February agenda for more information, and staff will follow up with partner organizations including New Hampshire Audubon and UNH Extension to seek technical support.