Green Saves Green Member Meeting Minutes
Monday, September 11, 2023
5:30 p.m., Pasquotank County Library
Present: Gerry Anderson, Karl Brandspigel, Sharon Burtner, Rosana Castilho, Krystina Cato, Caszhmere Chaison, Nita Coleman, Al DelGarbino, Phil Donahue, Jane Elfring, David Fynn, Marlene Greer, Jeanne Hopkins, Bobbi Hunsberger, Kurt Hunsberger, Blair Jackson, George Jackson, Bill Kruse, Sue Kruse, Cody Marks, Anna Montero, Jackie Nawrocky, Kristal Reed, Trinitee Smith, Jane Snyder, Cheryl Squire, Jared Tardiff, Tim Tolson
Green Saves Green Action Grants
Anna completed setting up the application process on our website. We officially launched the program in August. We have three teacher applications submitted so far. Julie Robinson would like to have a team of members to review and approve/decline applications as they come in. Marlene, Blair, Cody, and Jeanne volunteered for the team. We also are looking for volunteers to mentor students who submit project applications. Please let us know if you are interested.
Nita, Holly White, and Marlene met with ECSU Rotaract Club members this morning to answer questions about the grant program and a potential river water quality environmental service project on the campus or in the community.
Kristal, director of the after-school program at Knobbs Creek Parks and Recreation, discussed her goals of providing outdoor learning for the students. She’s applied for a grant to work with the children to hang bird feeders and create a wildflower garden for pollinators.
Updates on Ongoing Projects
Fowler Alley:
Port Discover, GSG, and Happy Daisy Garden Center collaborated on a Community Pollinator Garden event September 9. Volunteers did a litter cleanup, pulled weeds, and planted a variety of pollinator plants. The Friends of Fowler Alley group is planning additional projects to make the alley a beautiful place for people and pollinators.
Phil mentioned grant opportunities might be available with Electric Cities. He will follow up.
Krystina will look into putting a Geocache in the alley.
Fenwick-Hollowell Wetlands Trail:
At the trail committee meeting in August, Marlene proposed the idea of creating a large pollinator garden in the grassy area by the trail. The student Earth Protectors group at COA is interested in planting and maintaining the garden. Marlene suggested using NC Wildlife Federation seed packets and zinnias. If approved by COA administration, COA would like to have a seed planting event in December.
COA is planning a Fall Festival from 1-3 p.m. on October 28 and will participate in the Cocoa Crawl with an event some time in December. They asked if GSG was interested in participating. We will discuss this at our October meeting.
Upcoming Events
National Estuaries Week. September 16-23. GSG is working with the Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership on a social media education and awareness campaign.
Camden Heritage Festival. September 23, 10am-3pm. Jared, Jeanne, Anne, Rosana, Bill, and Sue are the volunteers for the event. Set up time is 6:15am. The volunteers decided to go ahead with exhibiting even with the early hour and other restrictions. Exhibit is on ways to be a river-friendly home.
Community Farm Day at COA Demonstration Farm. September 29, 4-6pm. Marlene, Cody, and Nita are the volunteers for the event. ECSU Rotaract Club members may also be available. Exhibit will be on the importance of pollinators to agriculture, people, and the planet.
Kids Splash. September 30, 8-10am, on Main Street outside AOA. Color Run starts at 8am; Arts event runs from 9-11am. Kayleigh Booker, Marlene, and Jeanne are the volunteers for the event. ECSU Rotaract Club members may also be available. We will offer a make-your-own pinecone bird feeder as our nature-based art/craft activity.
GSG Fall Litter Sweep. October 14, 9-11am. The group decided to do a group cleanup because of the number of students interested in volunteering. Everyone is invited to participate. Nita and Marlene will coordinate.
Dismal Day. October 21, 10am-2pm. Have not committed. We will discuss a possible GSG exhibit at our October meeting.
Albemarle Regional Health Services State of Health Summit. October 27, 8:30am-3:30pm. K.E. White Graduate Center, ECSU. Free. The afternoon discussion will focus on Climate Change and Health. Register at: https://www.easternahec.net/courses-and-events/71653/arhs-state-of-health-summit
Other Business
Catch the King Tide. Citizen science opportunity. Organization is looking for people in northeastern NC to contribute data on king tide flooding and sea level rise. If GSG members are interested, they will send someone to come to our meeting and explain the program to the group. For more information: https://wetlandswatch.org/catchthekingnc
Artemis Moon Trees. NASA and the U.S. Forest Service are distributing Artemis Moon Tree seedlings. The seedlings of five tree species were flown in space and are being offered to the public to create new ways for communities to connect with space exploration. Free. Includes seeds and teaching kit. Apply by Oct. 6. https://beta.nasa.gov/stem-content/apply-for-an-artemis-moon-tree-seedling
Next GSG meeting will be 5:30 p.m. Monday, October 9 at the Pasquotank County Library.