Present: Mary Anne Broshek, Tina Cotton, Jerry Hersey, Nan Kaplan

Correspondence

New Hampshire Fish and Game Non-Game and Endangered Species Newsletter: Information on vernal pools can be entered at NHWildlifeSightings.unh.edu.

Stewardship network training guides are available for Leading a Nature Walk, Outdoor Skills for Conservation Volunteers, and How to Monitor Conservation Easements. See NewEnglandStewardshipNetwork.org/training-guides.

Letter from Town of Hooksett soliciting interest in Lilac Bridge.

ASLPT Update: The fall workshop potential topic is Pollinators.

A survey will be sent out to obtain feedback on ASLPT Conservation Chairs meetings.

Nan submitted the invoice for the McLeod stewardship donation, but no funds have been received.

Saving Special Places Conference: Nan reported on the workshops she attended: Climate Change – focus on what is happening in New Hampshire. Nan will explore getting a speaker, Tina will provide a speaker contact. Mary Anne will forward the New Hampshire report on New Hampshire changes due to climate change: maple syrup, moose population, bears, bird populations.

Town Forests: we discussed how a town forest might benefit Andover.

Beaver Deceiver East Andover Project: Mary Anne will visit the site with Vicky Mishcon and John Thompson. Letters to DOT will be sent after the visit.

Bog Pond Report: There was consensus among members that they agreed with the recommendations in the report to protect the majority of Town land around Bog Pond. Mary Anne will contact Planning Board and Selectmen to meet and make decisions on the recommendations.

Rail Trail Vegetation and Use of Herbicides: Nan attended the March 16 Rail Trail board meeting with Linda Howes, a nutritionist from New London. Linda made an excellent presentation on the reasons herbicides can be harmful to people, plants, animals, and water and provided some alternatives to herbicide use. The Rail Trail Board will consider Linda’s information and make a decision in April or May.

Beacon Articles: Mary Anne wrote articles on the May clean up, May 7 plant sale, and outdoor ideas for spring. Larry wrote an article on the May 21 hike sponsored by ASLPT on the Old College Road Preserve in Andover.

Natural Resources Inventory (NRI): Tina met with Elita to resolve the issues on easy accessibility to the most current version of the NRI on the Town Web site.

Highland Lake Signage: Vicky Mishcon will review past Selectmen minutes and let us know the final wording for the Halcyon Island sign.