May UPDATE: Managing Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) in Craneridge

1. May 3 Professional Treatment to be Rescheduled 

Due to several days of rainy weather, we’ll be rescheduling dates in May and into June with our partner and HWA expert Joshua Konovitz from Ecos Cooperative. Please stay tuned for new dates. After spring treatment, treatment will start again in the fall when cooler temperatures return.

2. Mid-May through June 30: Homeowner HWA Treatment Program 

Starting in mid-May, we’re launching an optional program for homeowners to treat Hemlocks on their own properties. Complete treatment kits with all necessary materials, insecticide, and step-by-step instructions will be lent to participating homeowners. If you are interested in participating in this program, please send an email to Gwen at gwenalegre@gmail.com. Your trees must be assessed and tagged before you can treat your trees.

3. Knowledgeable Craneridge Volunteers Currently Tagging Trees

To save time and money in the treatment process, some trained Craneridge volunteers have been assessing and tagging Hemlock trees across Craneridge. We still have a (growing) list of areas to tackle, so please be patient. If we don’t get to your property in the spring, we will in the fall. REMEMBER: Infested trees will take 6-10 years to die, so we DO have a window in which to treat our Hemlocks.   

Learn more about Hemlock Woolly Adelgid: https://craneridge.org/take-a-stand-against-hemlock-woolly-adelgid/

Concerned about HWA on your property? SUBMIT THIS FORM (https://forms.gle/b8cV87y5ZoZv67uDA).

Next BOD Meeting – Monday May 5th @ 6:45 pm via ZOOM

Monday, May 5, 2025  @ 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/

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: 

  • 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
  • Determine next steps for implementing e-voting for the June Members Meeting, including platform selection and assigning BOD leads.
  • Clarify roles and processes for managing sensitive information and account access in the absence of an Executive Secretary.
Sections and TopicsLeaderTime (minutes) 
CONNECT – Check-in Shannon5
COMMENTS – Member’s Public Comments WelcomeN/AN/A
Meeting Minutes Meeting Approval for April 2025Shannon5  
CONVENE – Quick review of Outcomes, Agenda, and rolesShannon5
CONSENT AGENDA – Officer & Committee ReportsPresident, Vice President, Secretary, & Treasurer/Finance ReportCommittees Officers & Committee Chairs 1 minute each

(~10)
CONTEXT – Review Follow-up Action Plan Template ItemsShannon5
CONTENT – with “open,” “narrow,” or ”close”
e-Voting –  Discuss implementing e-voting for the June Members Meeting (Board nominee and Special Assessment), including selecting a platform and identifying BOD members for setup. [O,N]Gwen & Shannon15
BOD Duties Discuss approach for managing sensitive information and account access in the absence of an Executive Secretary, including storage of historical documents, passwords and mailbox. [O,N]Kathie S.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) 

Next BOD Meeting – Monday April 7th @ 6:45 pm via ZOOM

Monday, April 7, 2025  @ 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/

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: 

  • 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 restructuring the Maintenance Committee to distribute responsibilities, formalize asset evaluations, and ensure leadership continuity while addressing volunteer shortages and long-term strategic planning.
  • Set Annual Members’ Meeting date/time
Sections and TopicsLeaderTime (minutes) 
CONNECT – Check-in Shannon5
COMMENTS – Member’s Public Comments WelcomeN/AN/A
Meeting Minutes Meeting Approval for March 2025Shannon5  
CONVENE – Quick review of Outcomes, Agenda, and rolesShannon5
CONSENT AGENDA – Officer & Committee ReportsPresident, Vice President, Secretary, & Treasurer/Finance ReportCommittees Officers & Committee Chairs 1 minute each

(~10)
CONTEXT – Review Follow-up Action Plan Template ItemsShannon5
CONTENT – with “open,” “narrow,” or ”close”
Maintenance Committee – Discuss restructuring the Maintenance Committee to distribute responsibilities, formalize asset evaluations, and ensure leadership continuity while addressing volunteer shortages and long-term strategic planning. [O,N]Shannon20
Re-Open Topic – Discuss the replacement of basketball court lights and electrical system based on recent safety concerns and findings, with the possibility of planning for upgrades in Spring 2025 [O,N]Sam10
Annual Members’ Meeting – Set the Date and Time, discuss need for a mailed announcement – 30 days prior to the meeting [O,C]Shannon5
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)

Care About Our Trees? Woodlands & Habitat Committee 2025 Plans

Focus on Treating Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA)
and Caring for Our Young Native Trees and Plants

Our mission remains steadfast: to enhance the natural beauty of our community, promote biodiversity, and foster a sense of environmental stewardship among residents.

  1. Managing Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) Infestation
    • Ongoing Professional Treatment: We’re continuing our partnership with HWA expert Joshua Konovitz to treat affected areas in both spring and fall.
    • For Spring Only: Homeowner HWA Treatment Program: This spring, we’re launching an optional program for homeowners to treat Hemlocks on their properties. Watch for details coming soon! Available will be:
  2. Maintaining Our Investments: WE’D LOVE YOUR HELP!
    We’re prioritizing the care of our existing plantings, which include three native perennial gardens and nearly 400 native trees and shrubs. We welcome volunteers of all experience levels (kids too!). Tasks and time commitments are flexible. Want to help? Contact Gwen at gwenalegre@gmail.com or Jen at jenparglen@gmail.com.
  3. Neighbor Workshops: WATCH FOR DATES!
    Tree Planting and Tree ID Workshops: Learn the art of planting, nurturing, and safeguarding trees and shrubs in your own yard. And… do you want to know more about our Craneridge trees? We’ll be hosting one or more tree identification sessions. Kids are welcome!
    Family-Friendly Activities: Help plant tree seeds in our new air prune boxes (perfect for families with children!). Or, participate in planting our new perennial meadow using seeds donated by WNY PRISM.
  4. Ongoing partnership with WNY PRISM
    (Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management) This connection remains crucial. Together, we’ll combat invasive plants and insects that threaten our ecosystem.
  5. Continued Creek Remediation
    The lovely Crump Brook winds its way through our woods, but erosion and habitat degradation in many creekside areas are a growing concern. Continuing our partnership with Erie County Conservation District and based on a grant for $17,000, the erosion-damaged areas on the west end of Deer Run will undergo a creek remediation project this year.

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

In 2025, 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. 🌿🌳🌱