Green Saves Green Member Meeting Minutes

Monday, October 9, 2023

5:30 p.m., Pasquotank County Library

Present: Karl Brandspigel, Sharon Burtner, Nita Coleman, David Fynn, Marlene Greer, Jeanne Hopkins, Bill Kruse, Sue Kruse, Cody Marks, Anna Montero, Julie Robinson, Ali Rooney, Cheryl Squire, Jared Tardiff, Ruth Wells, Gavin White, Holly White

Review of Recent GSG Exhibits

Community Farm Day at COA Demonstration Farm. Cody reported it was successful in terms of our exhibit, but attendance was light. Visitors to our table learned about the pollinators that produce some of our favorite foods. They tested their knowledge with pollinator games, and they took some native flowering plants home to add to their garden.

Kids Splash. Jeanne reported our nature-based art and craft activities were a hit. Kids and adults enjoyed making pinecone bird feeders and painting tree cookies. It was a fun event, and we should do it again if it is offered next year.

Updates on Ongoing Projects

Knobbs Creek Recreation Center Wetlands Trail Restoration: We had high hopes at the start of the year to bring back the nature trail at Knobbs Creek. This would greatly improve water access for the community and would provide an opportunity for youth at the Boys & Girls Club and in the after school Parks & Rec program to learn about and explore nature. We walked the trail and marked it. We met with the mayor and the director of Elizabeth City Parks & Rec. ECSU students used a drone to map the area. We could get a CAMA grant, but a city match and ongoing cost of maintenance would be a problem. There is currently no funding for a match or ongoing maintenance.

Holly suggested other sources for funding, such as the Parks & Rec Trust Funds which grants up to $500,000. She mentioned combining two or more recreational opportunities would improve the chances of obtaining a grant. The city, for example, could combine the Knobbs Creek playground repairs with the trail renovation. Another suggestion is for GSG to get involved the next time the city and county update their Parks & Rec master plan. We might be able to get this trail project in at that time.

Fenwick-Hollowell Wetlands Trail: College of the Albemarle maintenance staff is doing a fantastic job. There are more people than ever walking the trail. We will continue to promote the trail.

Gavin White Goat Island Project

Gavin and his team completed the repairs to the platforms, completely rebuilt the entrance walkway and the bath shed, cut back brush, and installed six hammock posts. The only remaining work to be done is the tree and plant ID signposts. The ID sign template is done and at the printers. He only needs to do the QR codes, which will link to Wikipedia pages. It was suggested he use the NC State Extension website instead.

Of the $1,600 grant he received from GSG, Gavin has spent $1,246. Remaining funds will be used for the signposts and to create a geocache site on the island. Leftover funds, if any, will be returned to Green Saves Green. Gavin will advise when the ID signposts are in. We would like to have a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Elizabeth City Chamber of Commerce and city and county officials.

Educator/Youth Action Grants 

We received three very good applications. The committee approved all three, but one teacher moved to a different school and had to withdraw her application. The two projects to be funded include a student-led recycling collection program at Pasquotank High School and the installation of bird feeders and a small pollinator garden with the children in the after-school program at the Knobbs Creek Parks & Recreation Center.

We hope to have more projects. Julie asked for ideas on how to get the word out. Suggestions included FFA groups, Camp Cale, and individuals contacting teachers they know. Holly will inform the staff at the Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership. The group does teacher environmental training and may get some teachers from our area. Jeanne suggested contacting Smart Start to get preschools involved.

It was suggested we expand to include Currituck and Chowan counties. We will consider this after we get a better idea of the response from the three counties we are currently covering. 

Upcoming Events

GSG Fall Litter Sweep. Oct. 14, 9-11am Halstead Blvd. Ext. Meet at Southern Bank parking lot. Everyone is invited to participate.

Student Water Quality Testing. Oct. 17 12:15-2:15pm, ECPPS Early College students at the Fenwick-Hollowell Trail. Volunteers are Marlene, Nita, and Don Campbell.

Dismal Day. Oct. 21, 10am-2pm. at Dismal Swamp State Park. No GSG exhibit planned.

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. Nita, Bill, and Sue will be attending. Others are welcome. Register at: https://www.easternahec.net/courses-and-events/71653/arhs-state-of-health-summit

College of the Albemarle Fall Fest. Oct. 28, 1-3pm. No GSG exhibit planned, but we will consider participating if we can come up with an environmental theme. Will advise.

Albemarle Algal Bloom Summit, Nov. 3, 9:30am-3:50pm, College of the Albemarle. Not open to general public. GSG members are invited. Latest research on algal blooms, how people are affected by blooms, and action plans will be on the agenda.

Other Business

We should do press releases on the Action Grants GSG awards and send them to the local newspaper and whatever other media people are reading.

Consider ordering GSG T-shirts. Discuss updating logo before ordering.

Next GSG meeting will be 5:30 p.m. Monday, November 13 at the Pasquotank County Library.