Green Saves Green Member Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

5:30 p.m., Pasquotank County Library

Present:  Martha Ann, Bill Bowman, Sharon Burtner, Karl Brandspigel, Nita Coleman, Jane Elfring, Annette Garthwaite, Woody Garthwaite, Laura Granado, Marlene Greer, Mahalia Hodges, Linda Jones, Charles Jordan,  David Jordan, MaryAnn Jordan, Steve King, Bill Kruse, Sue Kruse, Maryann Maher, Hunter Michael, Sue Miller, Lisa Purcell, Ali Rooney, John Stolarcyk, Jared Tardiff, Harry Thompson, Steve VanGiesen, Gail Ward, Gavin White, Holly White

Chair Report

Approval for the Pasquotank Paddle Trails Feasibility Study grant is expected in May 2025.

Membership Chair Report

GSG has 88 members, 19 of which are new members.

Annual membership fees are due.

NC Center of Coastal Algae, People, and Environment Conference 

Bill and Holly reported the purpose of the conference was to synergize and identify groups/networks and technologies to identify partnerships for monitoring algal blooms.  A kit and lesson plans were provided to use in algal bloom education.  GSG is still looking for grants to continue our Watershed Watch program. 

College of the Albemarle Ag Field Day

Lisa and Jared shared that approximately 40 high school students attended and learned about water quality and the health of our local rivers. The field day was moved from the Demonstration Farm to the COA lab due to weather.

Bassmasters Tournament

Bill and Sue reported the Bassmasters Tournament was a tremendous success, and the fishermen and women were impressed with the hospitality of Elizabeth City and the quality of fishing in the Pasquotank River and surrounding waterways.  They suggested looking to some of the corporate sponsors - Toyota, Progressive Insurance, Yokohama, etc. - for water quality monitoring grants. 

Rain Garden at Knobbs Creek Recreation Center

Nita reported that Elizabeth City was awarded a grant to create, design, and plant a small rain garden.  Nita needs volunteers to help plant, once the plan for the rain garden is approved.   

Earth Day Program 

GSG is anticipating 30 to 35 students, ages 5 to 12 at Knobbs Creek Recreation Center on April 22 from 9:30-Noon.  GSG volunteers will lead students in a litter cleanup and nature scavenger hunt.  ECSU Poetry Club students will lead a sensory poem activity for the participants to write nature-inspired poems. 

Litter Cleanup Events

Marlene reported that since 2022, GSG has hosted campus cleanup events at local elementary through high school, with more than 400 student participants.  GSG is targeting the last week of April for its spring campus cleanups. 

Mahalia and Maryann lead the Hertford area Wheels & Reels Litter Cleanup.  The 20 volunteers picked up 10 bags of trash.  Hunter reported the volunteers for the downtown Elizabeth City cleanup filled 17 bags of litter. About 30 volunteers showed up to help out.

GSG Litter Initiatives

GSG has provided Pasquotank County Assistant Manager John Shannon with a list of recommendations to reduce litter.  GSG’s litter team is in the process of putting together a “Do Not Litter” community awareness & art contest proposal.  The team will meet on Monday, April 21 at 5:30pm at the library. 

Mayoral Recognition

Green Saves Green, ECSU and MACU students, and the E.C. Alumni Chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi were recognized at yesterday’s City Council meeting for their litter cleanup efforts. Nita and Maryann accepted the honor on behalf of GSG.

Timbermill Wind Farm Tour

GSG has arranged a tour of Timbermill Wind Farm for members and their family. The maximum participation is 40.  Minimum age is 8. The bus can accommodate up to 20 people. The cost of the bus is $350 for 2 hours.  Participants will meet at the Walmart parking lot at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 7.  From there, we will convoy in no more than 10 cars, which is the maximum allowed at the wind farm site. The trip will be approximately 3 hours. 

Elizabeth City Urban Forestry Commission  

Jared reported that the Forestry Commission will be planting trees at the River Roads Sports Park at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, April 25.  Donuts and coffee will be served.  Guests are welcome.  

Upcoming Events

April 21 - Litter Team Meeting, 5:30pm at the Library

April 22 - Earth Day Program. 9:30am-Noon, Knobbs Creek Rec Center

April 30 - Campus Cleanup, Noon- 1pm, Weeksville Elementary

June 7 - Timbermill Wind Farm Tour, 9am meet-up at Walmart parking lot

Next member meeting will be Monday, May 12, 5:30 p.m. at the Pasquotank County Library. 

A Board meeting at 6:30 p.m. will follow the general meeting.