Green Saves Green Member Meeting Minutes

Monday, March 10, 2025

5:30 p.m., Pasquotank County Library

Present:  Martha Ann, Cole Barlow, Karl Brandspigel, Martin Brothers, Anna Cherry, Nita Coleman, Jane Elfring, Annette Garthwaite, Woody Garthwaite, Laura Granado, Marlene Greer, Bobbie Hunsberger, Kurt Hunsberger, Rodney Johnson, Linda Jones, Charles Jordan,  David Jordan, Mary Ann Jordan, Steve King, Bill Kruse, Sue Kruse, Mary Ann Maher, Sue Miller, Renee Parrish, Misti Rewis, Jane Snyder, Susan Spayder, Cheryl Squire, Angela Sutton, Harry Thompson, Steve VanGiesen, Terry

Chair Report

GSG Board approved support of SB 20 prohibiting mass balloon releases. We sent a thank you letter to Sen.  Bobby Hanig for sponsoring the legislation and a letter to Rep. Bill Ward asking for his support. 

Ali Rooney will represent GSG on the COA Demonstration Farm Advisory Committee. 

Annual membership fees are due.

Treasurer Report

Kitchen Kuriosities donated 5% of its profits from the sale of natural cleaning products to GSG.  We received a check for $95.00.  Woody sent a thank you note. 

Plant a Valentine Tree Report

Nita advised 500 trees were wrapped and given away at the Senior Center, the Pasquotank Library, and the Camden Library. Six community partners assisted. Adam White and Jared Tardiff went to the Boys and Girls Club and planted trees with the kids. The Pasquotank Ag. Extension offices allowed us to use the meeting room to wrap trees. We plan to use this location next year. A total of $70.25 in donations was collected at the various tree giveaways. Trees for the 2026 giveaway need to be ordered in July.  Terry indicated a tree giveaway could include Perquimans Library next year. 

Pre-Marathon Cleanup Report & Wheels & Reels Litter Cleanup

Marlene reported the pre-Marathon cleanup was a tremendous success. More than 100 volunteers from MACU, ECSU, YMCA, NEAAAT Beta Club, Harbor Presbyterian Youth group, and other residents came out on March 1.  A total of 9.5 miles of the race course, all of downtown Elizabeth City, and all of the waterfront parks were cleaned up. We also helped USCG personnel clean up the Coast Guard base fence line and did a Campus Cleanup with River Road Middle School students. A total of 2,300 pounds of litter was picked up. Jane mentioned the possibility of cleaning up some of the cemeteries in town.

Misti provided information about the upcoming Wheels & Reels Litter Cleanup 9-11am Saturday, April 5.  The cleanup will target downtown Elizabeth City and its waterfront parks and downtown Hertford and its parks. Participants will meet at Mariners Wharf Park in Elizabeth City and Missing Mill Park in Hertford. Supplies will be provided. All ages are welcome. Please post flyers on community bulletin boards. Volunteers are: Marlene, Mary Ann, and Mahalia. Need more volunteers.

Earth Day Program

Misti reported our Earth Day Program will be held at Knobbs Creek Recreation Center from 10am-noon on Tuesday, April 22. There will be 30-35 students ages 5 to 12. GSG will do a litter talk with the students then take them outside to clean up around the rec center and ball park. After the cleanup, we’re planning a nature scavenger hunt to teach the students about trees and animal habitat.  Volunteers are Misti, Marlene, Nita, Linda, Lisa, Dawn, Woody, Annette, and Cole.

Planting for the Planet

Nita advised NC has a law requiring native plant landscaping on state roadsides. The Pasquotank County Board of Commissioners is considering a local ordinance for native plant landscaping on county property.  Charles said the requirement for native plants has a good chance of being approved for the landscaping at Newland Park

The Planting for the Planet team will meet at 9 am on March 22 at Fowlers Alley in Elizabeth City. The team plans to clean up the alley, weed the flower beds, then discuss plans for the year. 

Science Discovery on Main Street Collaborative Community Project 

Marlene reported Elizabeth City is one of 12 recipients of Main Street America’s Science Discovery on Main Street grant. The $12,500 grant will be used to determine the city’s unique science assets, with the goal of then creating engaging attractions, events, or festivals celebrating those assets. We think our waterways are a unique science asset. And our Love Your River event celebrating our waterways would fit the “community event” criteria of the follow up implementation grants. Last year we gave ECDI Director Debbie Malenfant our complete plan for Love Your River, which included hands-on science and conservation exhibits and activities, as well as water recreation. Our original plan could be adapted or expanded as needed. Debbie expects notification in early April as to next steps.

Upcoming Events

April 5 – Wheels & Reels Litter Cleanup, 9-11 am Saturday. Elizabeth City and Hertford. 

April 11 – Ag Field Day, 9:30am-12:30pm COA Demonstration Farm. GSG Student water testing program. April 12 – Bass Tournament Festival. Noon-5pm. Waterfront Park. River-Friendly home exhibit. 

April 22 – Earth Day Program. 10am-Noon, Knobbs Creek Rec Center Spring. 

June 7 – Wind farm tour

 Next meeting will be Tuesday, April 15, 5:30 p.m. at the Pasquotank County Library