Green Saves Green Member Meeting Minutes

Monday, October 8, 2024

5:30 p.m., Pasquotank County Library

Present:  Karl Brandspigel, Mike Baughan, Sallie Baughan, Sharon Burtner, Nita Coleman, Pamela Dwyer, Jane Elfring, David Fynn, Annette Garthwaite, Woody Garthwaite, Laura Granado, Marlene Greer, Bobbie Hunsberger, Kurt Hunsberger, Rodney Johnson, Charles Jordan, Bill Kruse, Donnie Markham, Cody Marks, Sue Miller, Jane Snyder, Angela Sutton, Jared Tardiff, Jeanne Tardiff, Gail Ward, Holly White, Terry

Chair Report

Participants in the test of Zoom at our September meeting reported difficulty hearing anyone who spoke unless the microphone was right in front of them. Members present expressed preference to meet in person with a couple saying they want in person but would like a Zoom option. For now, meetings will remain just in person.

Nita is scheduled to discuss a proposed native plant landscaping ordinance with county commissioners on Nov. 4 at 4 p.m.

Green Saves Green board members and officers are needed for 2025. Nita is stepping down as Chair at the end of the year. Marlene was asked and agreed to be the incoming Chair. We will need a Secretary and a Treasurer.

The volunteers staffing our booth at the Camden Heritage Festival said it was a good experience and recommend we do a booth again next year.

The board of directors approved the proposal to share our Love Your River plan with Elizabeth City Downtown, Inc.

Pasquotank Blueways

The deadline to submit the Great Trails State Grant application to study kayak launch sites on the Pasquotank River for a future planned paddle trail has been extended to November. Elizabeth City grant writer Jon Hawley advised Nita the joint city/county grant application is complete and has been reviewed by an external consultant. It will be submitted this week.

GSG is planning to take three county officials on a paddle of the upper Pasquotank River on Wednesday, Oct. 30 to show them the potential kayak launch points for a paddle trail. David Fynn will pilot a small motorboat for safety.

Sue suggested the paddle trial should include reference to being part of the Intercoastal Waterway. Elizabeth City is mile 50 on the waterway.

GSG Action Grant

Marlene reported progress on two unfinished Action Grant projects. The pollinator garden courtyard project at Central Elementary was started in the spring but the teacher has since left. We are working with another teacher at the school to complete the project. Two bat houses were donated to GSG, and we are working with the teacher at Northside Elementary to have the students paint them and get them installed on campus.

Annette reported progress with the pollinator project at the preschool in Camden. They are still deciding on the best area for the garden.

Suggested changes to the Action Grant program for better success:

Allocate funds by giving a certain percentage up front and the balance mid-way or upon completion to help celebrate.

A report at 6 months with documentation such as photos: How much has been completed and their plans to finish the project. Could include financial accounting i.e. how much spent on each portion.

A final report at the end.

Give them a deadline. 

Albemarle Watershed Watch

Wednesday, Oct. 16 will be our final water sampling day. The grant funding for the NC State and UNC university professors leading the algal bloom studies is done. Both will now analyze the data and issue a report by March 2025. At that time, we hope to partner with other organizations for an algal bloom summit to discuss results and further action.

Rodney suggested for next year the Soil & Water District set aside some money they get from the county to collect samples when an algal bloom occurs. Samples would be sent to the NC Dept of Agriculture and the NC Division of Water Quality for testing and analysis. It was agreed. Rodney will work on getting this done.

Terry advised his water quality group in Perquimans is continuing its testing. The group is funded by a different grant.

Upcoming Events

Campus Cleanup, Pasquotank County HS, 5-6pm Wednesday, Oct. 9. Volunteers are Sharon, Julie, Marlene, Nita, and Karl.

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. Volunteers are Marlene, Jared, Terry, and Dawn.

Splash Art Fair, Poindexter Street, Noon-3pm Saturday, Oct. 19. GSG will have a table with kids’ crafts. Kids can paint a tree cookie and make a pinecone bird feeder. Volunteers are Nancy Wagner, Sara John, and Evan Cox. Marlene will arrive by 1pm to assist.

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. No children under age 12.

Pasquotank Paddle with County Officials, Wednesday, Oct. 30. Nita and Marlene. David will be there in a safety motorboat.

Fall Foliage Festival, Fenwick-Hollowell Wetlands Trail, Saturday, Nov. 9. A family fun festival celebrating trees put on by the Urban Forestry Commission. GSG will offer a kid-friendly exhibit. Volunteers are Nita, Bobbi, and Kurt.

Other Business

Volunteers staffing the GSG booth at Camden Heritage Festival recommended having business cards and promotional material to hand out and GSG T-shirts to wear. Marlene advised we stopped passing out membership cards and other materials to prevent waste. She will print a few “Who We Are” flyers to use at festivals.

GSG members Cole Barlow and Misti Rewis are interested in approaching the county to request an ordinance to ban intentional balloon releases. The group agreed it was a worthwhile proposal to pursue. Terry mentioned House Bill 922 banning balloon releases is pending, but the penalties are minor.

GSG Meeting Schedule

5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6 at the Pasquotank County Library. A brief board meeting will follow.

No December meeting