Nannen Arboretum
Minutes of Trustee Meeting March 10,2025
Members Present: Blair Hamilton, Mike Braun, Ed Chapman, Gretchen Plough, Paul Timkey, Nan Miller, and Steve Ward
Minutes of February 10, 2025 meeting reviewed; motion to approve by Gretchen Plough, second by Blair Hamilton: carried
Treasurer’s Report: profit/loss document was reviewed
Technology:
-Mike needs zip drive information that Pat provided Steve
Plantsoon: 305 trees on the system with approximately 185 pictures; need to find coordinates for 35 trees still, provided they exist. Discussion about adding QR codes to each individual sign discussed: new sign would cost about $12.50 and just QR tag would be about $2.50. Motion made by Blair Hamilton to purchase #100 QR code tags as a starting point for existing signs that are in good shape, second by Mike Braun: carried
CCE: Kelly McDonald and Kim Oudemool
-June 2, 2025 will have 7thgrade students from SHS in a leadership class: arboretum members will have students from 10:30- some type of nature program to be decided
-October 2025 will be have “Creatures of the Night” program that will address bats, racoons, possums, and owls; early stages of planning speakers and event will be either 17th& 18th or 24th & 25th.
Tree Pruning: Ed will speak to Ray Johnson about updating the existing plan
Smith Creek Pond:
-will check with Todd Garrison as to where we should start with cleaning the pond as well as cost of some of these products
-Paul will be checking with daughter Emily regarding info on some of the pond products
-discussion about adding a small dock/bench to the pond?
-Steve will contact Matt McAndrew in regard to dock and fountain concepts
Bradley Tree Service:
-Ash tree protection to continue for this year
-invasive pests: Steve will keep a book in the shed that will give some insight into things we should be looking for in the arboretum in regard to early detection
Volunteers:
-discussion regarding keeping all volunteers informed about programs / events we are working on
-Steve will share worksheet with current volunteers
-agenda and minutes will be their option
Arbor Day 2025:
-date is April 25th
-discussion: all members to supply cookies for the event / help with set up needed
-Steve will look into some perennial plant gifts
-John Burrell to be contacted about proclamation
-Speaker: several suggestions/ Tim Bair, Mark Holtz, Bruce Robinson, Brandon Webb/Tiffany Donalson, also to contact Cornell Botanical Garden Staff
-Mike will work on flyer for event
-Steve will work on agenda / will need to include annual meeting to be done
-motion to purchase Hackberry Tree at Turnbull bare root
Farmer Neighbor Dinner
-Wed April 9, 2025
-will need table runner, basket book reference, easel
-set up of table at 4:30PM
-event starts at 5:30
-to hand out seedlings from DEC/ most likely at end of program in entryway
-attending: Nan, Blair, Julie, Mike, Ed, Karen, Bobbi, Pat, and Steve
Ellicottville Central:
-third grade program : will be in May sometime: stations to be reviewed and input from teaching staff has been obtained
-will finalize “station” topics at the April meeting
-Arbor Day at ECS will be May 2, 2025/ we will be replacing the oak tree that is dead behind the playground towards the football field
-5th grade “technology addiction” topic to be reviewed with Kim Oudenmool CCE for possible direction???? Any volunteers want to help?????
Summer “Art in the Arboretum”
-tentative date was August 2, 2025
-Tri County Art Council Resource Committee: declined request to organize this event
-concept was for painting, photography, and pottery
-would be very difficult to organize this event on our own
-Seth at Springville Arts Council will be contacted about “owning” this event or help at best!
Future Programs:
-“unplug” in the Arboretum on Wed nights 6:30-8:30 – time for nature quiet / reading /reflecting
-no active technology allowed
-develop a flyer
-Nan suggested checking out “Forest Bathing”
-Amish Shopping Market: some Saturday in the parking lot
-to contact Crystal Abers with the county to see if this is anything Amish families would be interested in doing?
Memorial Program:
-tree for Sue Blesy will hopefully be a Cork Oak or Chestnut Oak
-would like to this as a special event for Sue’s family
Town of Ellicottville
-communication to be made to ask Matt McAndrew about pond ideas of fountain and a possible dock
-will also address future plain to have stairs from main path to pollinator area
-also will offer demo of Plantsoon, perhaps by summer to Village and Town Boards
Field Trips:
-Cornell Botanical Gardens- still scheduled for May 14, 2025 leaving at 8AM
Tree Wish List:
-was updated at February Meeting
Dwarf Conifer Collection:
-Nan will start researching and finding conifers to be planted this spring in the new area near the flagpole
Pollinator Garden Area:
-new raised beds
-picnic tablets will be treated wood with a Hemlock top
-we will need to get some type of engineering advice as to development of path from main path to pollinator area / will require town input and contractor to complete
Message Board:
-Steve to move on placing new information
Pet Waste Containers:
-will be order now for placement in April
New Business/ Board Member positions
-expiring board positions will be Gretchen, Diane, and Sue’s position / Paul Timkey will also need to be officially voted on to board
New Business / Donations:
-need placement of QR code use in arboretum for people to be taken to website to donate
-will need words addressing need for donations and placement of such sign
Next Meeting Monday April 14, 2025 at 10:30AM
Motion to adjourn made by Gretchen Plough, second by Blair Hamilton: carried
-hopefully I didn’t miss too much!
Steve Ward