Green Saves Green Member Meeting Minutes
Monday, September 9, 2024
5:30 p.m., Pasquotank County Library
Present: Cole Barlow, Karl Brandspigel, Jeanne Brehaut, Jeff Brehaut, Nita Coleman, Phil Donahue, Jane Elfring, Annette Garthwaite, Woody Garthwaite, Marlene Greer, Bobbie Hunsberger, Kurt Hunsberger, Blair Jackson, George Jackson, Charles Jordan, Steve King, Bill Kruse, Sue Kruse, Cody Marks, Anna Montero, Dana Parker, Misti Rewis, Jane Snyder, Steve VanGiesen, Abigail Villalba, Gail Ward, Ruth Wells, Adam White, Terry
Guests and Guest Speakers:
Jon Hawley, Grant Writer, Elizabeth City
Colleen Brown-McKinley, Grant Writer, Pasquotank County
Pasquotank Blueways Planning Grant
Jon Hawley announced Elizabeth City was recently awarded $378,000 for the renovation and improvement of Causeway Park in Camden. The city is waiting to hear on another $100,000 grant to enhance the project. The improvements to this park will include a kayak launch.
The deadline to submit the Pasquotank Blueways Development Study application for a Great Trails State Grant was extended to November. The city and Pasquotank County are targeting the end of September to submit the application.
With the assistance of GSG, the city received 49 letters of support for the study with total pledges of $11,400 toward the local match. Pledges will be due once approval is received. This is an incredible outpouring of support. Grant awards will be announced in early spring 2025. If approved, a joint county/city team will be created to move forward with the study.
Since the Pasquotank River merges with and becomes part of the Intercoastal Waterway, it was suggested to tie the paddle trail into the history and importance of the waterway. Also mentioned was having mile markers with QR codes for types of wildlife paddlers might encounter and the history of the area.
Phil suggested advising local legislators on the grant request and paddle trail development. He will do this.
Albemarle Kayaking
Misti and Cole presented information on their new Albemarle Kayaking group. The group held its second paddle today and is planning more paddle outings in the future. Everyone is welcome.
GSG Action Grant
Annette advised we awarded a $500 Action Grant today to Ashleigh Arsenault at Success Academy in Camden for a new mailbox and tools, supplies, and plants for a pollinator garden around the preschool's mailbox and in the front planters. Other areas may be considered. The children will help with the planting, watering, and caring for the gardens while learning about the importance of pollinators.
Marlene disclosed we have a mixed success rate with our Action Grant recipients. Two Action Grant projects have been completed, three remain uncompleted. With this grant, Annette was assigned as the GSG liaison to help Ashleigh throughout the project. We hope assigning someone will improve the success rate.
Also suggested was to look at the grant as a “field trip” day. Students could take the day to work on the project while in school just like they would take the day for a field trip.
Another suggestion was to tie grants into the standard course of study.
Presentations to teachers and schools to generate ideas for Action Grant projects was proposed. Marlene mentioned she and Julie Robinson presented the Action Grant program at an ECPPS principals’ meeting, and our website has a list of project ideas and a link to an elementary school’s completed project.
Jane Snyder asked to be assigned to one of the incomplete projects.
GSG Event and Festival Exhibits
Marlene displayed the set up for the upcoming GSG booth at the Camden Heritage Festival, which included our Trees and Wildlife and How Litter Harms Wildlife children’s activities. She advised GSG has all the supplies volunteers need to do a GSG booth or table at an event. We hope to encourage more members to volunteer to help with exhibits.
Upcoming Events
EC Morning Rotary Cleanup, 8-9am, Saturday, Sep. 14. Litter cleanup of Hughes Blvd. Meet at the Food Lion/City Grill parking lot on Hughes Blvd.
Camden Heritage Festival, 10am-3pm Saturday, Sep. 21. GSG will have an exhibit on Trees and Wildlife and Litter and Wildlife at the festival, and will promote our Fall Litter Sweep in October and our Plant a Valentine free tree giveaway in February. Volunteers are Marlene, Misti, Terry, Annette, and Woody.
Dismal Days, Dismal Swamp State Park, 10am-2pm Saturday, Oct. 12. GSG will have an exhibit on Trees and Wildlife and will offer a kids’ craft activity. We need volunteers.
Splash Art Fair, 11:30am-2pm Saturday, Oct. 19, Poindexter Street, Downtown E.C. GSG will have a table with kids’ crafts. Kids can paint a tree cookie and make a pinecone bird feeder. We need volunteers who enjoy working with kids.
Fall Litter Sweep – Northside Road, 9-11am Saturday, Oct. 26. Meet at Dixieland Speedway, 1520 Northside Rd., E.C. Supplies will be provided. Everyone is encouraged to participate. And bring a friend.
GSG Meeting Schedule
5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8 at the Pasquotank County Library
5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6 at the Pasquotank County Library
No December meeting