2023-04-03 GSG Meeting Minutes

5:30 pm, Pasquotank Co Library


Present: Karl Brandspigel, Sharon Burtner, Rosana Castilho, Krystina Cato, Danny Clipper, Nita Coleman, Caszhmere Chaison, Jane Elfring, Andi Finn, Rodney Johnson, Amy Kermitz, Bill Kruse, Sue Kruse, Maria Mandis, Anna Montero, Benjamin Parham, Dana Parker, Anne Radke, Ray Scaffa, Jane Snyder, Cheryl Squire, Elton Stone,  Maria Sutton, Tim Tolson, Steve Van Giesen, Mary Ann Walker-Jordan, Olivia Wasserberg, Virginia Wasserberg, Ruth Wells, Gavin White. 


1. Chair Report (Nita)

2023 GSG Board Seats are filled!

  • COI signatures needed


April Fools Tram tour Alligator River Wildlife Refuge

  • Rescheduled for May 6


April Campus Cleanup

  • PCHS & ECMS

  • 75 students are renovating their courtyard planters and cleaning up their campuses using GSG litter sweep supplies


Ag Day at COA

  • COA Hosted 100 students at the demonstration farm on Creek Road last week. 


2. Goat Island Restoration Project (Gavin White)

  • Renovating the goat island camping platform

  • Funded $1600 from GSG

  • Purchased almost all lumber needed

  • Spent $737. $862 left to spend

  • Apr 1 Work day rescheduled due to weather : Sat April 8th


3. ECSU Drone survey Knobbs Creek Nature Trail (Danny Clipper, Professor Elton Stone, Ben Parham)

  • Went out to the trail, flew drone, took photos/videos

  • Find the high and low areas to look at the trail

  • Made digital elevation map and image

  • Is planning to go back multiple times to get the full image

  • Use processing software to combine pictures

  • Plan to go out with larger drone to capture more images

  • With a given scenario, students can use drones and practice maneuvering

  • Purchased drone from South Africa for emergency management

  • Plan to finish trail map by the end of the semester, weather permitting.


4. “What I saw” Community Art on Fenwick Hollowell Trail (Andi Finn, COA Student)

  • COA Art Club

  • Encourage community members of all ages and skill levels to walk on trail and make watercolor paintings about what inspires you on the trail (12x12 max)

  • Painting will be becoming part of exhibition wall at AOA in the month of April

  • Drop off at the front desk of AOA throughout the month

  • Celebration of the trail and community

  • Free art kits can be picked up at COA, YMCA,  and AOA (directions for the trail, watercolors, paint brushes, paper, and instructions)

  • Paint events planned on Thursday the 6th (Brookdale Assisted Living Residents, Friday the 14th (YMCA kids and seniors), and Friday the 21st (open to the community, pre Star Party)



5. Planning Fowler Alley Improvements (Mary Ann, Virginia, and Dana)

  • Alley was completely renovated with a $65,00 Lowes Grant less than 2 years ago, but has not not been maintained since. Dog poop on the astroturf, some plantings dead

  • Pathway lighting is off at night making it less accessible

  • Multiple catch areas for litter

  • Building owners may be putting in river rock to replace mulch washed out by roof runoff

  • Port Discover interested in planting a butterfly garden, adding educational signage

  • Adam White will donate mulch

  • Happy Daisy Garden Center may donate plants

  • NCWF may provide pollinator plants through their Trees 4 Trash program

  • Planning group formed ( Dana Parker, Mary Ann Jordan, Virginia Wasserberg, Gavin White, Jane Elfring, Anne Radke)  to make a renovation plan and  build a coalition of supporters to help keep the alleyway clean and maintain it

  • Adjacent property owners should contribute


6. Upcoming Events:

 Food Bank Herb Planting

  • Celebrating 40th anniversary

  • Wed. April 5 4:30ish

  • Plant and take event

YMCA Habitat program

  • Thursday April 6, 10 am

MOA history for lunch

  • Listen and learn

  • Colleen Karl from CEEG will discuss connection between air and water quality (blue/green algae blooms)

  • Can be seen on youtube one week after event

Sheep Harney Campus Cleanup Thurs Apr 20 10 am

  • Volunteers needed

COA Star Party

  • April 21, 5:30-7

  • COA will let us know if volunteers are needed

Missing Mill Park Cleanup with COA Earth Protectors

  • April 29

  • Time TBD

  • Volunteers?

Campus Cleanups

  • Multiple schools

  • Looking for schools interested (April 18-28)


Next Meeting:

Monday May 8, 5:30 PM, Pasquotank Library


Minutes recorded by Anna Montero