Green Saves Green Zoom Meeting Minutes

Monday, Jan. 10, 2022

5:30 p.m.

Present: Emely Arredondo, Karl Brandspigel, Nita Coleman, Phil Donahue, Jane Elfring, Marlene Greer, Rodney Johnson, Bill Kruse, Sue Kruse, Bobby Plough, Jane Plough, Anne Radke, Julie Robinson, John Stolarczyk, Scott Sullens, Michelle Tangredi, Jared Tardiff, Christina Weisner, Curtis Wrenn, Sheila Wrenn

Election of Board and Officers

  1. This year we will begin rotating terms for board members with 5 members on and 5 members off each year.

  2. Elected to the board and term for 2022: Emely Arredondo (1), Karl Brandspiegel (1), Sharon Burtner (1), Nita Coleman (3), Phil Donahue (2), Marlene Greer (3), Rodney Johnson (2), Lee Leidy (1), Anne Radke (3), Julie Robinson (3), John Stolarczyk (1), Scott Sullens (2), Jared Tardiff (2), Curtis Wrenn (2), Sheila Wrenn (3)

  3. Elected officers: Nita Coleman, chair; Marlene Greer, secretary; Sheila Wrenn, treasurer. The position of Vice Chair remains open.

Rotary Community Corps

  1. Members voted to approve the formation of the joint Elizabeth City Morning Rotary Club/GSG group, which will be called the Rotary Community Corps.

  2. Phil Donahue of GSG and Bob Pippen of Rotary Club are committed to head the new organization for two years. Other members are: Mark Powell, Rodney Johnson, George Thomas, Bobby Plough, Jane Plough, David Harris, Ed Eadie, and Patricia Sterritt.

  3. The first project will be the restoration of the north end of the Fenwick-Hollowell Wetlands Trail in Pasquotank County. The group will raise the funds (estimated $50,000) needed for the restoration. The goal is to have the work done by the end of this year. In addition, the group will help the College of the Albemarle develop a plan for the adjacent land, will become an advisory organization on what to do with the trail in the future, and set up ongoing funding.

Treasurer’s Report

We are in a strong financial position going into 2022. As of Dec. 31, we have $31,320 in our General fund, $4,192 in the Jim Sakolosky Memorial Fund, and $500 in Education Scholarship money. In 2021, we had income of $7,156 and expenses of $7,346.

2021 Annual Report

The report will follow the format created in 2020 and will be done by the end of the week. We will post it on our website, and attach it with a letter to our Love Your River sponsors thanking them for their ongoing support.

Membership Report

Getting ready for 2022 membership drive. We plan to send an email to existing members advising it’s time for renewal, and will attach the annual report so members can see all the things we’ve done. We are working on the website now to allow existing members to renew in an easy way. Hope to have that up and ready within the next two weeks.



Planned Events in 2022

  1. Plant A Valentine. The free tree giveaway is set for Saturday, Feb. 12, at the Pasquotank County Library. In partnership with the NC Forest Service, we plan to give away 200 seedlings – 100 eastern redbud and 100 flowering dogwood. We had planned a workshop but it will likely be a drive-through event due to COVID concerns. We have volunteers in place to package and hand out the seedlings. The event will be promoted on social media, in the Chamber newsletter, and in the Daily Advance calendar.

  2. Spring and Fall Litter Sweeps. We don’t know what form they will take. Depends on COVID. Our focus will be more on schools participating, but it might change because schools have a lot on their plate right now.

  3. Plants for Pollinators. In May, we have plans to finally hold the pollinator workshop in honor of Jim Sakolosky. We are partnering with Northeastern High School agriculture program students and Lady Fern’s Native Plants. They are growing butterfly weed plants to give away at the event. We are hoping for at least 50 and up to 100 plants to give away.


Initiatives Update

  1. Fenwick-Hollowell Trail. The $1,000 grant received in 2021 includes funding for a sign stating GSG adopted the trail. Will work with CoA on appropriate sign and placement. Will continue to do litter cleanups and check trail condition.

  2. Albemarle Watershed Watch (formerly RiverKeepers). Will be doing normal May to October sampling with 24 volunteers. ARC&D received grants to expand, helping them with 30 months of monitoring. We will be collecting more samples at some of our sites and will transition to year-round monitoring starting in February or March.

  3. Environmental Education on Social Media. Emely will continue with the Living With Less Plastic series and environmental education posts. Jane will periodically post about animals, plants, and meadows at Moonlight Farm and Fenwick-Hollowell updates, progress and events. Marlene will continue to oversee our social media outreach.

  4. RISE State Planning Initiative. Members Bill Kruse, Rodney Johnson, and Curtis Wrenn have volunteered to participate. The group will look at how best to use state infrastructure money for local flood prevention and resiliency. Initial meeting set for February.


Suggested 2022 Projects

  1. It was mentioned it might be wise not to overstretch ourselves. We are already doing a lot. Maybe consider expanding what we already do versus new initiatives. 

  2. Park to Park Paddle. Similar to the Chesapeake/Dismal Swamp Paddle to the Border concept. Want to get people out and enjoying our waterways. If they love it, they will be more inclined to protect it. Will seek sponsorship commitment from city/county.

  3. Discussion of other suggested projects moved to February meeting.


Pasquotank County Commissioners meeting Monday, Feb. 7. Commissioners will be acting on our request for funding for the Fenwick-Hollowell Trail restoration. Would like to have some GSG members present at the meeting.

Next GSG meeting will be 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16. Library is reserved, but may be via Zoom.