PLANT WNY MEETING MINUTES Thursday, February 1, 2024

PLANT WNY  MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, February 1, 2024
Salvatore’s Italian Gardens, 6461 Transit Road, Depew, NY  14043

The meeting was called to order at 6:05 pm by Lou Sardo, president.

It was determined we had a quorum.

Roger Restorff, treasurer, presented  the financial report.

Committee Reports

CNLP Awareness & Promotion –  CNLP merchandise is available – t-shirts, sweat shirts and hats. Our region will be hosting the state CNLP Day and details will be announced.

Ed Day/Trade Show – We had great attendance for CNLP and Hort 101.  Silent Auction is back.  Thank you to the Foundation for their contribution.  The Foundation also contributed for the NCCC students to attend.   Thank you to our sponsors Draves Tree & Landscape, Batavia Turf, ADMAR Supply, Lawley Insurance, Scranton’s Thruway Builders Supplies, Gernatt Asphalt Products, and Siteone Landscape Supply.

Erie County Fair –  Help is needed with setup of the Grange Building at the end of July – a week before the Fair opens.  Volunteers are needed for setup, watering before and during the Fair, and take down. Steve Sypniewski will be meeting with Mike of Valley View to discuss 2024 plans – Valley View has control of the Grange Building.

Golf Outing –  We are considering Springville Country Club again for 2024.  We had a good experience in 2023 plus we had the facility all to ourselves.

Historian –  Matt Dore received many years of financial documents, photos, and historic documents.  Matt welcomes assistance as well as historic information.

Membership –  We are growing the membership.  Every member should reach to out to landscapers about joining  or get us a contact and we will follow-up.  Word of mouth goes a long way.  The NYSNLA is also working on growing the membership and have developed pocket cards. Members will receive two of them when they renew so they can pass on to a potential member.

Foundation –  Matt Dore is working on organizing processes and procedures.  The Foundation has allocated 30% of  cash to be reinvested into the endowment.  $8,000 was allocated to Education Day and funding also for NCCC and McKinley High School.  Total assets are $531,000.

Landscape Awards –  Take photos over the stage of your landscape projects when you begin them this spring  The Excellence in Landscape Awards will take place by the NYSNLA – submit at both levels – local and state.

Plantasia –  This year will feature a train display by the WNY Garden Railway Society and assistance is needed to landscape that space.  Kim Schichtel is coordinating volunteers as greeters, setup, tear down, plant sale.

Snow Committee –  Since so many of our members do snow removal, it was decided to have a roundtable discussion on that subject. The event was held in October.  There were legal and insurance experts present as well as vendors that provide snow/ice management products.  A committee is forming and if you have any interest, please let Phil Tripi know.

State Reps –  The NYSNLA is holding a state conference October 20 – 22 in Albany.  Mark Bradley is the keynote speaker.   The leadership conference is rolled into this and will include CNLP seminars, and professional development.  In addition, CNLP candidates will be able to take the CNLP exam.  There will be something for everyone.  There is vendor booth space available.  (add State event to our website)  May 31 is the deadline for the Court of Honor (State Fair).

McKinley Highschool –  Julie Hughes thanked the Foundation for their assistance and support.  McKinley has greenhouses and a flower show.  Students involved in FAA are hoping to go to camp this summer and are raising funds to dos so.  McKinely students will be at Plantasia helping with setup and will be attending the show.

NCCC –  Carolyn Stanko thanked the Foundation and PLANT WNY for all their support. Over 80 students are enrolled in the horticulture program.  NCCC will be helping with Plantasia setup and will have a booth.  NASA scientists are coming to NCCC because of the eclipse.  Melissa Moore will be replicating a study done in 2017 and will be testing plants as to their response during the eclipse.  There are very few studies done like this.

New business

Molly Gadenz, of the WNY Land Conservancy, presented to the membership.  They are working on the Riverline project which is an old railroad coordinator.  They got the greenlight from the NFTA to move ahead with an environmental impact study. The Landscape Management Program has the goal of employing participants on the Riverline project after training. The program needs to place 25 students for internships of 30 hours in March. The internship should provide for a wide variety of task.  The participants in the program needs mentors.  If interested, please contact Molly at the WNY Land Conservancy.

Lou Sardo motioned to accept the minutes October 2, 2023.  The motion was seconded by Ed Dore.  All were in favor.

Lou Sardo motioned to adjourn the meeting.  The motion was seconded by Dave McIntrye.  Meeting adjourned at 7:09 pm.

Respectfully submitted by:   Joyce Janson