Craneridge Tree Planting Workshop | Sat., May 4 | 11 AM to 2 PM

What’s the #1 thing we can each do to ensure the
legacy of our woodlands? PLANT TREES! 

Join us on Sat., May 4 (May 5 rain date) at the Meadow to participate in an interactive workshop with Royal Fern Nursery. You’ll learn how to plant, protect (from deer), and maintain native trees and shrubs for your yard. Print the flyer below.

Register online by May 1:  https://forms.gle/HaYATE89upmoBH4H (or scan the QR code below)

Update: Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Resources and Links

On Wednesday, April 10, Gwen Alegre and special guest Caroline Marschner from Cornell University’s NYS Hemlock Initiative led a Zoom meeting to inform and educate folks about our recent HWA infestation and how we’re responding. Caroline’s information was especially helpful, and everyone learned a lot about our challenges ahead.

If you love our woodlands and our Hemlocks, then we highly recommend you watch this video from end-to-end. Questions? Concerns? Contact info further below.

HELPFUL LINKS
Craneridge FAQ Hemlock Woolly Adelgid and Treatment
HWA Treatment Next Steps
NYS Hemlock Initiative

(70 minutes)

IN THE MEANTIME…
The Woodlands & Habitat Committee is committed to keeping all Craneridge neighbors informed as best as we possibly can during what will be a long-term, challenging and important effort. Should you have questions or concerns, please contact Gwen Alegre at gwenalegre@gmail.com or Sam Lewandowski at slewandowski92@gmail.com.

🌟Important Update Regarding Craneridge Street Gas Lamps! 🌟

Dear Neighbors,

We have an important update regarding the gas lamps in our community. National Fuel will be deactivating the Craneridge Street Gas Lamps by shutting off the gas line to all 89 active lamps. This process will start now and it will continue throughout the summer months, with completion by September 2024.

Following National Fuel’s shut-off, the Town of Concord will be responsible for the removal of the lamp posts and for restoring your lawn afterward.

Additionally, we want to inform you that the Town of Concord, in collaboration with a local engineer, is actively working on an updated lighting plan for our community. This plan will include new lighting options and updated costs. Board member Sam Lewandowski is deeply involved in this process, and any questions or concerns regarding lighting should be directed to him at slewandowski92@gmail.com.

We appreciate your patience and understanding during this transition period. Please stay tuned for further updates as we work towards working with the town to enhance the lighting in our community.

Important! HWA Infestation: Next Steps for Craneridge

There are seven confirmed Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) infestations in various areas in Craneridge. We believe that the infestation is widespread. However, several HWA experts (DEC, NY Hemlock Initiative, WNY PRISM) agree that it’s the “early days” for HWA attacking our Eastern Hemlock trees.

THIS IS SERIOUS!
Without treatment, all infected Hemlocks will die within the next several years. Eastern Hemlocks are the primary evergreen tree in Craneridge. Losing these “keystone species” will dramatically impact the look and value of our unique neighborhood as well as severely impact the many wildlife who rely on our dominant tree.

NEXT STEPS FOR CRANERIDGE

  • With the support of the Craneridge Board of Directors, we plan to treat as many Hemlocks as we possibly can over the next several years. We will not be able to save all our Hemlocks.
  • The Craneridge Association will pay for and oversee the treatment of HWA on both common and homeowner property.
  • Based on the legal opinion of our HOA attorney, the Craneridge Bylaws and Covenants support our planned actions to treat, when necessary, all lands within Craneridge. HWA spreads easily (birds, wind, deer, and people), so we are committed to treating our trees no matter the location. Trees that are not treated will continue the spread of HWA and will eventually die.
  • We will make an effort to contact homeowners who live on or near infested areas BEFORE treatment.
  • In 2024, we plan to treat areas where there is a confirmed infestation. Treatment will start in April.
  • After speaking with several tree care professionals, we have identified a local HWA treatment expert who works closely with the NY Hemlock Initiative and WNY PRISM. His fees are quite reasonable.
  • We’ll be using the insecticide Imidacloprid, which is the same chemical used in dog flea and tick treatments. The insecticide will only be applied to the base of Hemlock trunks, or the soil directly above tree roots. This treatment will last 5-7 years.
    • For small trees, we may use a horticultural oil, which kills HWA but needs to be applied yearly.
    • Because there are limits to how much Imidacloprid can be applied to an acre in any given year, in some cases, we may also use AceCaps (acephate), which is a common insecticide used to treat trees infected with Emerald Ash Borer. AceCaps are inserted directly into the base of a tree.
  • We’ll continue to monitor in the winter months when HWA is inactive and most visible (fuzzy balls) and mark infested trees for treatment in the spring.
  • Currently, bio-controls (bugs being raised especially to eat HWA) are not a viable option. However, Sprague Brook County Park may become a future test site. The Woodlands & Habitat Committee remains connected to the NY Hemlock Initiative, which manages NYS bio-control testing.

QUESTIONS?
Should you have questions or concerns, please contact Gwen Alegre at gwenalegre@gmail.com or Sam Lewandowski at slewandowski92@gmail.com.

Next BOD Meeting – Monday April 1st @ 6:45 pm via ZOOM

Craneridge Association BOD Meeting Agenda

Monday, April 1, 2024  @ 6:45 pm
Via Zoom– This meeting will be held online via Zoom and is open to all community members. This meeting is password protected. To obtain the link and password for the online meeting, please log into the Craneridge Homeowners page: https://craneridge.org/homeowners-2/

Craneridge Association BOD Meeting Agenda:

Mission Statement: Enhance our living environment through woodlands stewardship, shared property maintenance, and community building.

Outcomes [or Intended Results] for this meeting: 

By the end of this meeting we will accomplish the following: 

  • Discuss the 2024 Budget Plan; 
  • Understand the latest developments occurring within our committees;
  • Update BOD on the progress made on “Actions we agreed to complete” that are outside of the committees;
  • Discuss who we will utilize for legal advice after July 31st.  
Sections and TopicsLeaderTime (minutes) 
CONNECT – Check-in Shannon W. 5
COMMENTS – Member’s Public Comments WelcomeN/AN/A
Meeting Minutes Meeting Approval for March 2024Shannon W. 5  
CONVENE – Quick review of Outcomes, Agenda, and rolesShannon W. 5
CONSENT AGENDA – Officer & Committee ReportsPresident, Vice President, Secretary, & Treasurer/Finance ReportCommittees Executive Secretary Officers, Committee Chairs & Executive Secretary 1 minute each

(~10) 
CONTEXT – Review Follow-up Action Plan Template ItemsShannon W. 5
CONTENT – with “open,” “narrow,” or ”close”
Terranova retiring July 31, 2024 (0.N) – discuss who we will utilize for legal advice after July 31st.  Shannon 15
Any other Topics that need to be Discussed N/AN/A
CONTINUE & CONCLUDE  – Summarize, Action Plans, Next MeetingShannon5

NOTES: ONC label meanings
O = Open (Talking about it for the first time & opening the discussion)
N = Narrow (Focusing on Options & narrowing down the discussion)
C = Close (Making a decision and closing the discussion)

A Call to Address the Dogs ‘Running at Large’ Issue in Craneridge

Dear Craneridge,

Ensuring the safety and well-being of our neighborhood is a top priority for us all. We’ve noticed a recurring issue with dogs on the loose, posing a risk to pedestrians and other pets. It’s imperative that any instance of dogs off-leash or behaving aggressively be reported immediately to the Concord Dog Control Officer.

While we understand that dogs can sometimes escape unintentionally, repeated offenses by specific owners cannot be overlooked. These actions not only violate town laws but also jeopardize the safety of our community members and their beloved pets.

We urge you to collaborate with us in addressing this concern by promptly reporting any incidents to the Dog Warden. Your cooperation is essential in maintaining a safe environment for everyone in Craneridge.

As the President of Craneridge, I bear a specific responsibility for safeguarding our community’s well-being. Should you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly at 716-432-4778.

This announcement underscores the importance of our collective efforts in addressing this matter.

For Dog Control matters, you can reach out to:
Email: concorddogcatcher@gmail.com
Phone: 716-592-7875
Cell: 716-863-5841

Let’s work together to keep our community safe.

Sincerely,
Shannon Wichlacz
President, Craneridge Association

Upcoming Tree Trimming around Power Lines (next two weeks)

NYSEG has contracted with ASPLUNDH Tree Experts to prune or remove trees that are too close to the power lines here in Craneridge. They will need a minimum of 15 feet of overhead clearance and 10 feet of clearance to the sides and below the distribution of the power lines.

Starting next week (between 3/25 – 4/5), ASPLUNDH will be in Craneridge to prune, chip and remove branches smaller than 6 inches in diameter. Please note that any wood over six inches will be left onsite.

If you have any questions or concerns please call Josh from ASPLUNDH at 585-610-2692

What’s Planned for 2024? Woodlands & Habitat Committee

We’re gearing up for an exciting set of initiatives!

Our mission remains steadfast: to enhance the natural beauty of our community, promote biodiversity, and foster a sense of environmental stewardship among residents.
Let’s dive into the projects on our horizon. Our focus this year… TREES!

  1. Planting Native Trees and Shrubs
    Our commitment to maintaining our unique wooded community continues to grow. In 2024, we’re diving deeper into re-establishing native trees and shrubs in Craneridge common areas. Why native plants? They’re hardy, adapted to our local climate, and provide an essential habitat for wildlife.

    We’ll be focusing on planting in more common areas—including between private properties and two areas in the Meadow. These plantings aren’t just about aesthetics and maintaining our property values; they’re a testament to our shared commitment to nature. If we’d like to plant near your home, someone will contact you directly!
  2. Tree Planting Workshops for Homeowners: SAVE THE DATE! Saturday May 4
    Calling all tree lovers – that’s all of us! Our tree planting workshop is designed specifically for homeowners. Learn the art of planting, nurturing, and safeguarding trees and shrubs in your own yard. From proper planting techniques to caring for (watering!) and protecting from deer browsing, we’ve got you covered. Let’s keep Craneridge a woodland community!
  3. Guides and Videos: Your Tree Planting Companions
    Look for a series of user-friendly guides and instructional videos that you can access at any time. These resources will demystify the tree and shrub planting process. From selecting the right tree for your yard to ensuring its longevity, our guides will give you the knowledge you need.
  4. Seeds of Tomorrow: Craneridge Tree Nursery
    Get ready for something groundbreaking: the beginnings of a Craneridge native tree nursery! We’re collecting locally sourced tree seeds and nurturing them in innovative “air pruning” boxes. These seedlings will grow into the giants of our future landscape. Imagine future generations of oaks, maples, and dogwoods thriving right here in Craneridge.
  5. Battle Against Invasive Species
    Our ongoing partnership with WNY PRISM (Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management) remains crucial. Together, we’ll combat invasive plants and insects that threaten our ecosystem. Stay informed about removal efforts, early detection, and prevention strategies. Let’s protect our native biodiversity.
  6. Continued Creek Remediation
    The lovely and serene Crump Brook winds its way through our woods, but erosion and habitat degradation in many creek-side areas are a growing concern. Continuing our partnership with Erie County Conservation District, a request for $17,000 of grant funding is being submitted on our behalf for the erosion-damaged areas on the west end of Deer Run for a creek remediation project.

Questions? Ideas? What to help in some way? Contact Gwen at gwenalegre@gmail.com

In 2024, let’s nurture our woodlands, celebrate our habitat, and sow seeds of positive change. Join us on this green journey—it’s a legacy we’ll leave for generations to come. 🌿🌳🌱