Merrimack Conservation Commission

Merrimack Conservation Commission The MCC is responsible for proper utilization and protection of natural & watershed resources in town

05/28/2026

Will you be joining us on our next BioBlitz!

📆 Mark your calendar for June 13th at 9am.

❓ What is a BioBlitz?

It is a species scavenger hunt where volunteers help find and record data on as many different species as possible in a certain area and a short amount of time. Participants will share their findings using iNaturalist, where the final number of species identified will be tallied. No experience necessary as we will have experts joining us to help with identification!

Limited Parking is available on White's Lane but walking, biking and carpooling is encouraged.

Sign up at the link in the comments!

05/26/2026

Japanese Knotweed Identification at Sklar Riverfront Park in Merrimack, NH, with Hillsborough County Forester, Mike Gagnon.

For more information on Japanese Knotweed and management, visit merrimackoutdoors.org/invasives

05/25/2026

Invasive Species Identification Walk at Sklar Riverfront Park in Merrimack NH with Mike Gagnon, Hillsborough County Forester.

05/24/2026

🦋 Pollinators connect us all.

One out of every three bites of food we eat depends on pollinators like bees, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds. Yet their populations are declining across New Hampshire and the country.

Pollinator Pathways NH is working to change that — one yard, one garden, one community at a time. Their vision: a connected network of pollinator-friendly habitat stretching across the entire state.

Merrimack can be part of that network. 🌱

05/23/2026

🌸 Want to help pollinators thrive right in your own backyard? Here are a few simple steps:

🌱Plant native. Native plants and local pollinators have co-evolved together — they need each other. Try native shrubs like dogwood, blueberry, or willow for early-season food sources.
❌Skip the pesticides. Even targeted spraying can harm bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
💦Add water. A shallow dish or birdbath with stones gives pollinators a safe place to drink.
🌼 Vary your blooms. Choose plants that flower in spring, summer, AND fall so there's always something available.

05/22/2026

🌱 Ready to help? Here's where to start — no big yard required.

The single most thing you can do is plant native species, and plant them in groups. Native plants are what local insects have evolved alongside — they know how to use them, and many can't survive without them.

Planting in clusters means pollinators don't have to burn precious energy flying long distances between food sources, which matters especially for smaller species with limited range.

Choose a variety of plants with different bloom times and flower colors to support the insects that emerge at different times of year — early spring bumblebees have very different needs than late-summer moths.

Be cautious with cultivars: many plants bred for showier flowers or unusual colors have had their pollen reduced or removed, or the flower structure altered so insects can't access it — meaning they look beautiful but offer nothing to wildlife.

And don't be too hasty with fall cleanup — leave deadwood standing or in a pile for cavity-nesting bees, and hold off on disturbing ground areas where bees nest.

Mow less, see what volunteers, and let your yard surprise you. 🐝

05/21/2026

Hello neighbors! We wanted to remind you that any trash cans you see on conservation properties are paid for and managed by a wonderful volunteer here in town! Not only does he manage those trash cans, but he also helps clean up trash that is left throughout the properties. We are so grateful for his time and energy!

05/20/2026

⚠️ You might be buying plants to help pollinators — and accidentally poisoning them instead.

Neonicotinoids, or "neonics," are a class of systemic pesticides widely used in commercial plant production. Unlike a spray that sits on the surface, neonics are absorbed into every part of the plant — its leaves, stems, pollen, and nectar — making the entire plant toxic to the insects you're trying to attract. Research shows that only a small fraction of the chemical is absorbed by the target plant; the majority remains in the soil, where the half-lives of neonicotinoids can exceed 1,000 days — meaning the soil itself becomes a long-term reservoir of toxicity for ground-nesting bees and other soil-dwelling insects. The worst part? Most stores do not label their plants, and figuring out whether a plant has been pretreated is virtually impossible. That "bee-friendly" tag at the big box store means nothing without confirmation the plant is neonic-free. Your safest options are to buy from local native plant nurseries, ask your supplier directly, or grow from untreated seed. When in doubt, ask.

A reminder of the Invasive ID Walk this Saturday, sponsored by the Merrimack Invasive Species Committee.Come Learn to id...
05/20/2026

A reminder of the Invasive ID Walk this Saturday, sponsored by the Merrimack Invasive Species Committee.
Come Learn to identify invasives such as:
Knotweed
Morrow's Honeysuckle
Autumn Olive
Multiflora Rose
Bittersweet
Burning Bush

A great opportunity for scouts earning conservation badges, individuals wanting to manage their properties for invasives, and people who are just curious/interested!

9:00 AM at Sklar Riverfront Park off of Griffin Street. Please meet at the kiosk. Parking is along the road on the right.

Address

6 Baboosic Lake Road
Merrimack, NH
03054

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