The Wilton Conservation Commission presents:
Tips to Conserve Water During The Drought
Although the watering ban has been lifted and we’ve had some soaking rains, you may want to keep these tips from your friendly Conservation Commission to help you conserve water. Remember, even if you’re on a well, you need to protect the underground aquifer for yourself and others!
1. If it's brown, flush it down. If it's yellow, let it mellow. (Toilets use more water than any other household appliance.)
2. Water your food plants, not your flowers or grass. Well, okay, water your daisies and daylilies; you can eat them!
3. Most plants will do fine if watered with used dishwater, especially if you use a non-detergent cleaner. Run your dishwasher only when it’s chock full. You can also use the water from cooking vegetables and bathing the kids, but let it cool first.
4. Whatever you absolutely must water, do it at night to reduce evaporation and cool the soil. (Besides, you’ll mystify the neighbors.) If you can, use a soaker hose rather than a sprinkler.
5. If you garden, cover any bare soil with straw to reduce evaporation.
6. A dirty car is harder for the police to radar. (No idea if that's true, but it sounds good.) Seriously, your car will work just fine if it’s dusty.
7. The condensation from a/c and dehumidifiers is clean and usable for washing. Or for watering your food plants.
8. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth. You wouldn’t believe how much water that habit wastes. If you need hot water to rinse your mouth, at least catch and save the cool stuff.
9. We're all in this together: Shower with a friend. (And do a tick check while you’re at it.)
Seriously, we are in a bad situation. But with cooperation and minor changes in our daily lives, we can come through it. Thanks for your help.
A Closer Look at Wilton’s Wild Things,
a new installment: Critters (tiny ones),
a photo collage by
photographer Bart Hunter and author Nikki Andrews
What's New at the Sand Hill Reservoir?
Bart Hunter carved a bench out of an Ash tree at the Reservoir's new parking lot site. When asked where he planned to put it, he said,”Right here!” Took him 2 days to carve the seating that will accommodate Wilton residents waiting for friends or a ride.
Volunteers planted 300 native trees and shrubs over the weekend in phase 1 of the restoration after logging the red pine.
Trail work is under way. Workers have been greeted by millions of pollywogs, a Northern Water snake and a Garter snake. Both are harmless and quite beautiful.
Town crews will be building the parking area and the conservation commission will be seeding the trail beds so they can be mowed and maintained. More benches carved from fallen trees and a secret chair, carved by Commissioner and Forester, Patrick Kenney, will provide a welcome resting spot for hikers.
Your Wilton Conservation Commission (WCC) is responsible
for protecting the farms, forests, wetlands, scenic vistas and historic
resources that are such an important part of the overall character of our community.
Part of our charter is to educate our citizens about conservation issues
and to provide access to public lands for recreation. Placing 
land in
conservation doesn’t mean it’s "off limits". On the contrary, conserved
lands are available to the public for their use and enjoyment. In
Wilton, 69% of our town is in Current Use or designated as conservation
land. That protection keeps us a small rural community with beautiful
open spaces, clean water and abundant wildlife.
NH RSA-36-A:2 outlines what conservation commissions do for their towns and the state. In Wilton, the Conservation Commission (WCC) consists of 7 appointed residents, nominated by the commission, approved by the select board, and after taking a sworn oath, serving for a 3 year term.
In Wilton, your commission’s charter is centered around five activities: Advice, Coordination, Education, Protection and Stewardship.
The Wilton Conservation Commission is a member of the New Hampshire Association of Conservation Commissions (NHACC), "a nonprofit conservation organization that provides education and assistance to New Hampshire's local conservation commissions."
The commissioners are all volunteers. We depend on townspeople to work on projects and expand our capabilities. We need people to work on trails, monitor wildlife habits and native flora 
in the face of climate change. We need people to help raise funds for projects, work events, do presentations, pick up trash on roadways, or count cottontail rabbits and become citizen scientists. Would you consider volunteering with the Conservation Commission? Attending meetings is not required and we'd appreciate as much or as little time as you're willing to offer.
The Wilton Conservation Commission is only seven people; conservation takes a village.
Do you have a suggestion, question, or comment? Contact the Conservation Commission.