diff --git a/examples/simple_repeater/MyMesh.cpp b/examples/simple_repeater/MyMesh.cpp
index ca6a3e607e..9e57894008 100644
--- a/examples/simple_repeater/MyMesh.cpp
+++ b/examples/simple_repeater/MyMesh.cpp
@@ -249,6 +249,11 @@ int MyMesh::handleRequest(ClientInfo *sender, uint32_t sender_timestamp, uint8_t
     }
     sensors.querySensors(perm_mask, telemetry);
 
+    // board specific telemetry -- target specific
+    if (perm_mask & TELEM_PERM_ENVIRONMENT) {
+      board.queryBoardTelemetry(telemetry);
+    }
+
 	// This default temperature will be overridden by external sensors (if any)
     float temperature = board.getMCUTemperature();
     if(!isnan(temperature)) { // Supported boards with built-in temperature sensor. ESP32-C3 may return NAN
diff --git a/examples/simple_repeater/main.cpp b/examples/simple_repeater/main.cpp
index a714db68ec..628d1d11b8 100644
--- a/examples/simple_repeater/main.cpp
+++ b/examples/simple_repeater/main.cpp
@@ -157,6 +157,8 @@ void loop() {
     command[0] = 0;  // reset command buffer
   }
 
+  board.tick();   // let the board feed its watchdog, run periodic housekeeping
+
 #ifdef ETHERNET_ENABLED
   ethernet_loop_maintain();
   if (ethernet_read_line(ethernet_command, sizeof(ethernet_command))) {
diff --git a/examples/simple_sensor/main.cpp b/examples/simple_sensor/main.cpp
index 69182f3a7a..b8e3ec4b6d 100644
--- a/examples/simple_sensor/main.cpp
+++ b/examples/simple_sensor/main.cpp
@@ -145,6 +145,8 @@ void loop() {
     command[0] = 0;  // reset command buffer
   }
 
+  board.tick();   // let the board feed its watchdog, run periodic housekeeping
+
   the_mesh.loop();
   sensors.loop();
 #ifdef DISPLAY_CLASS
diff --git a/src/MeshCore.h b/src/MeshCore.h
index 4349523225..61e5227a3b 100644
--- a/src/MeshCore.h
+++ b/src/MeshCore.h
@@ -37,6 +37,8 @@
 #define BRIDGE_DEBUG_PRINTLN(...) {}
 #endif
 
+class CayenneLPP;
+
 namespace mesh {
 
 #define  BD_STARTUP_NORMAL     0  // getStartupReason() codes
@@ -74,6 +76,13 @@ class MainBoard {
   virtual const char* getShutdownReasonString(uint8_t reason) { return "Not available"; }
 
   virtual bool handleCommand(const char* command, uint32_t sender_timestamp, char* reply) { return false; }
+
+  // Called from the example main loops. Lets a board feed its watchdog and
+  // run periodic housekeeping. Default no-op.
+  virtual void tick() { /* no op */ }
+
+  // Lets a board contribute its own telemetry channels. Default no-op.
+  virtual bool queryBoardTelemetry(CayenneLPP& telemetry) { return false; }
 };
 
 /**