Green Saves Green Member Meeting Minutes
Monday, May 12, 2025
5:30 p.m., Pasquotank County Library
Present: Sharon Burtner, Karl Brandspigel, Nita Coleman, Jane Elfring, Woody Garthwaite, Janet Gray, Marlene Greer, Rodney Johnson, Andrea Jones, Linda Jones, Charles Jordan, MaryAnn Jordan, Bill Kruse, Sue Kruse, Maryann Maher, Cody Marks, Sue Miller, Misti Rewis, Steve VanGiesen, Gail Ward, Ruth Wells, Gavin White, Adam White, Holly White, Terry X
Chair Report
April was a very successful month. We had four events (Wheels & Reels Litter Cleanup, Weeksville Elementary School campus cleanup, COA Ag Field Day student water quality testing, and Earth Day at Knobb’s Creek Recreation Center), plus a river-friendly exhibit at the Bassmasters Tournament. Thirty-two GSG volunteers helped out. We had 90 students, from elementary to high school, participate in our three Student Environmental Education programs. Students learned the importance of water quality, how litter harms wildlife, how long littered items remain in the environment, and explored the wonders of nature.
Timbermill Wind Tour
Nita has coordinated a tour for GSG members and their families and friends (age 8 and older). Meet on Saturday, June 7 at 9am in the Walmart parking lot. Forty people and 10 cars are permitted. Refreshments will be served at the Timbermill Wind Operations Center. Sign up for the tour by emailing greensavesgreennc@gmail.com.
Action Grants
Marlene reported the Action Grant committee has recommended the program be terminated and replaced with a new Community Grant program. The Board will vote on the recommendation at its next meeting.
Community Grants
Andrea reported the grants will target a wider range of applicants. Program will not be promoted as we did with Action Grants, but rather be in place as a tool for GSG to fund occasional projects that fit our mission. A Community Grant Inquiry Form has been designed and will be posted to the GSG website. GSG will follow up an inquiry with direct contact, an invitation to apply, then a proposal to present to membership. GSG will nurture and shepherd grant recipients with one-on-one communications. In addition, this program allows funding for groups to participate in GSG projects. Example: GSG’s Do Not Litter Poster Contest. Give small grants to groups like Boys & Girls Club to purchase supplies so kids can create posters and enter them into the contest.
Do Not Litter Community Awareness Project
This multifaceted project is designed to bring about awareness, education, and hopefully, action. GSG, in partnership with Arts of the Albemarle, will host a Do Not Litter Poster Contest for adults and for students in grades K-12. The contest runs June 1 to Sep. 25, 2025. Ten winners will be selected in five categories. Cash and other prizes will be awarded. We are working with the city and county to have the winning posters turned into signs that will be placed on city roadsides. GSG will provide paper to anyone who needs it, and will offer the use of our paints, brushes, and other supplies.
GSG will ask people in the community to create fun, interesting, yet functional cigarette butt receptacles, which we hope will be adopted by local businesses. GSG will purchase some humorous, ready-made No Littering signs to sell at promotional events. Sign cost quote from R.O. Givens is $14.85 each. GSG will reach out to ECPPS & NEAAAT regarding a possible project-based learning assignment. The problem: Litter. Why and what ideas do they have for solutions.
Albemarle Watershed Watch
Rodney reported water testing for the NC Department of Agriculture will start on Wednesday. He is still working on getting grant funding for collecting additional samples for NC State and UNC. He hopes the grant funding will be approved in time to begin collecting samples for the universities in June.
Upcoming Events
May 14, 10:30-11:30am – Plant for the Planet Fowler Alley Spruce Up
June 6, Friday, 4-7pm E.C. ArtWalk. Do Not Litter project promotion. Volunteers: MaryAnn, Dave, Hunter
June 7, Saturday, 9am-Noon – Timbermill Wind farm tour. Volunteers: Nita, Rodney, Marlene
July 25, Friday 10:30-11:30am – Pasquotank Library Get Creative with Nature Program. Volunteers: Annette, Jeanne
Other Business
Nita reported driving behind a GFL dump truck and her car nearly being hit by a large metal piece of debris that flew out of the truck. She reported the littering incident to county officials, the sheriff’s department, and to GFL. Several members related similar incidents. She asked for suggestions for following up on the issue of garbage falling from dump trucks.
Next member meeting will be Monday, June 9th, 5:30 p.m. at the Pasquotank County Library.
There will be NO GSG meetings in July or August.