Town of South Hero
Conservation Commission Meeting
Minutes for Meeting 2/18/25, 4:30 PM
At the South Hero Town Office and via Zoom
1. Call to Order – Meeting called to order at 4:38 pm Tuesday, February 18, 2025.
All members present – Bob Fireovid, Kathy Magill and Cynthia Kelley with Mark
Naud on Zoom.
2. Public input – Guy Mcguire from the South Hero Land Trust participated
3. Finalize Agenda – No changes to the agenda
4. Approve Minutes from January 21, 2025 meeting – Last month’s minutes need a
change to the correct numbering scheme. Bob moved to accept the minutes,
Kathy seconded.
5. Budget update 2025 to 2026 request – it was reported that the South Hero
Conservation Commission request for a budget of $1500 was approved
6. Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) Release and updates – Mark has been
making edits on a PDF. All Conservation Commission members should review
the documentation. We shared with Guy that we will all make edits to the NRI
and present all edits to Guy as one. Mark will be present at the South Hero Town
Meeting and will “table” with South Hero Land Trust to show Phase I of the NRI.
Guy spoke to a consultant on ”What is Phase II NRI” – to do a South Hero NRI
would potentially be a 5-6 year plan and approximately $30,000. Guy will share
with us a list of Phase II formats and topics that other towns have used. We
have approval for $1000 to work with a consultant to see what a Phase II could
look like.
Members and other interested parties can find the Natural Resources Inventory
at https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/9803969eeb7a40ec92a8506e2de8d2ad
7. Kestrel Nest Boxes Event update and logistics coordination – Folsom gym
March 8, 2025. Mark to coordinate to bring the tools and box materials to Folsom
Gym. Mark will be trained to be a “Building Watcher” to assist Folsom School
because we are using the Folsom Gym for the Kestrel activity. There will need to
be coordination of logistics of chairs and refreshments. Mark has not heard back
on how many students will be involved, some of whom may be fulfilling their
community service hours. We understand that students will participate in a raptor
project at school that will coordinate with the Kestrel Project event.
Bob Fireovid has a proposal for a Front Porch Forum announcement for the
Kestrel Nest Box Event. Kathy will post the first announcement in Front Porch
Forum. Bob will send a second announcement to Mark to post on different Front
Porch Forum day. Suggestion that the announcement could have a link to “Why
kestrels matter”, such as keeping rodents down. Guy said we should consider
posting on Eventbrite. The price is free and takes only a few minutes to post.
May want to partner with the Library. Guy offered that he will have some interns
who might be helpful working with the kestrel boxes.
8. CC Membership Effort – Town meeting, Kestrel event, NRI release
communications, other? Mark Naud will be trying to recruit new members for the
Conservation Commission at the Town Meeting on March 1, and at the kestrel
event on March 8.
9. Next Meeting March 18, 2025.- Kathy Magill will take minutes and Mark Naud will
post the minutes.
10. Adjourn – Kathy moved to adjourn, seconded by Bob. Meeting adjourned at 5:20 pm