By Pat Kerl
“Other holidays repose upon the past; Arbor Day proposes for the future.” Those are the words of J. Sterling Morton about the holiday he initiated in 1872 with the planting of more than a million trees in the state of Nebraska. Now Arbor Day is observed throughout the nation and the world with the planting of trees. Trees can reduce the erosion of our precious topsoil by wind and water, cut heating and cooling costs, moderate the temperature, clean the air, produce oxygen and provide habitat for wildlife. Arbor Day is observed on the last Friday in April. Join the Nannen Arboretum Society’s observance on April 25, 2014, 11:00 a.m. as we plant a tree in the arboretum and raise the Tree City USA flag. Plan to plant a tree in your own yard this year; planting trees is not just for Arbor Day!
We encourage you to visit the arboretum during the month of May when the crabapple trees at the entrance are in bloom as well as other flowering trees and shrubs throughout the arboretum. It is one of the prettiest times of the year especially after our long, cold winter.
With the transfer of the Nannen Arboretum from the Cornell Cooperative Extension to the Town of Ellicottville in 2013, the Nannen Arboretum Society was formed. The society is a not-for-profit, volunteer based.comanization dedicated to providing home garden and natural resource education and an opportunity for nature appreciation and leisure. The society membership is open to anyone who desires to support the arboretum’s mission. Contact us at info@nannenarboretum.com to join, we welcome new members.
The society has been very busy during the last year accomplishing the following:
- Developed Bylaws and established a Board of Trustees and officers (copies available upon request);
- Applied for and received New York State Not-for-Profit status (donations are tax-deductible);
- Applied for New York Sales Tax Exemption status;
- Established a banking account;
- Set up a post office box, PO Box 1016, Ellicottville, NY 14731;
- Set up an email address, info@nannenarboretum.com;
- Currently redesigning the arboretum web site, www.nannenarboretum.com.
The arboretum is funded by donations and grants. The Society is currently reviewing grant opportunities and encourages you to consider one of the following donation opportunities:
- Monetary donation – you may donate directly to the donation box located at the entry shelter at the Nannen Arboretum or by check to the address above;
- Memorial Bricks for the Celebration Walkway – bricks are available in 2 sizes, 4” x 8” or 8” x 8” (Details and applications available upon request);
- The gift of a tree or shrub – you may choose from a pre-selected list of trees and shrubs native to the Western New York area. (Details available upon request)
- A wooden bench memorialized with your personal message and/or special name on a brass plaque. (Details available upon request)
The Master Gardeners of Cattaraugus County will host their annual Gardening Day in the Nannen Arboretum on May 17. 2014. The theme this year is “Get the Most Out of Your Garden”. This educational day is free of charge but pre-registration is recommended. Program details and registration procedures are being finalized and will be published shortly. Gardening Day will also include the annual Plant Exchange.
April and May are great months to visit the Nannen Arboretum as the landscape changes from the black and white of winter to shades of spring time. We hope to see you there.