GSG Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, July 6, 5:30 pm

Pasquotank Library Meeting Room

Present: Karl Brandspigel, Sharon Burtner, Tammy Campbell, Nita Coleman, Jane Elfring, Rodney Johnson, Charles Jordan, Rob Powell, Michelle Tangredi, Jared Tardiff. 

Chair Report (Nita)

Welcome, introductions of new attendees.

Albemarle Watershed Watch (Rodney)

June 15 water sampling was encouraging. All our waterways looked good. Sampling takes longer now that we are collecting multiple samples at several locations, to be mailed to 3 different university labs. So far this summer, there have been only a few small algal blooms in late May in Pasquotank County, and nothing in the Chowan area, which is unusual. The next water sampling date is Wed July 20. Contact Rodney if you’d like to come along.

Fenwick-Hollowell Trail update (Rodney and Nita reporting for Phil)

Jane and Bobby Plough have been keeping the trail clean with regular trash pickups. Many people are out enjoying the trail, including YMCA day campers. Sections of the trail are already getting overgrown by vines, phragmites, and other weeds. Bob Pippen and Rodney Johnson recently worked on the overgrowth. The hospital has started to do some trail maintenance on their end, and COA staff will plan regular trail maintenance, going forward.

Between the College of the Albemarle and the YMCA there is a building, the old president’s house, which is currently being used as a nursing simulation lab. COA has plans to build a new, state-of-the-art nursing simulation lab adjacent to the YMCA, awaiting funding. At this time, COA has no definite plans for the old president’s house after the new nursing school building is completed. 

Behind the old president’s house, there is a dock on a canal that leads into the Pasquotank River. The canal is too shallow for power boats, but would be perfect for launching canoes and  kayaks.  In our county, there is no other public small boat access on the entire upper Pasquotank River. Jack Bagwell, President of COA, has appointed a steering committee to discuss this and other possibilities for the expansion and enhancement of the FH trail. The steering committee will make recommendations, but final decisions will be made by the COA Foundation Board and the COA Board. If the small boat launch concept is approved, a CAMA grant to cover 90% of the cost could be applied for by next April, with approval possible in June. 

Student Environmental Education (discussion)

On June 24, Rodney and Marlene escorted NEAAAT students on a field trip to Steve Harris’s farm, where they learned about the wind turbines. Brian Lannon showed the students a constructed wetland, as well as a water control structure, explaining their use and benefits. Students got to do some hands-on activities including soil corings. Prior to the field trip, Brian Lannon and Jared Tradiff also visited the NEAAAT School to talk with the students. 

GSG is developing a resource list for schools interested in regional environmental education opportunities. Ideas solicited. A visit to a solar farm was suggested, preferably one with crops growing beneath the panels. Unclear if solar installations will allow visitors. Jared explained fire risks. Another concern is the time demands on local experts, if many field trips are requested. With some advance training, GSG volunteers could perhaps help serve as guides for these excursions.  

Upcoming Events

Love Your River Paddle: We are considering fall dates for a pilot paddle event on the Upper Pasquotank River. If we can’t identify a good launch location, we may need to postpone. The dream is to hold yearly paddle events from COA to Goat Island and the downtown waterfront, in the spring or fall. 

 Camden Heritage Festival, Saturday Oct. 8: GSG is signed up to exhibit: Jared, Anne, and Michelle volunteered to staff the table and conduct some hands-on activities for the kids.There was discussion concerning the creation of a GSG mascot – Swamp Monster? Swamp Man? Other ideas?

 Plant a Valentine Tree 2023: Redbuds and dogwoods are already sold out, so GSG ordered 100 live oaks, 100 willow oaks and 100 red maples from the NCFS for our February 2023 tree giveaway. These are hardy native trees that will grow large and provide shade. They would be suitable for school campuses, parks, and other locations such as the SPCA. GSG volunteers will be needed to assist with planting. 

To accommodate summer vacation schedules, GSG will not meet in August. 

 Next GSG meeting will be 5:30 p.m. at the library, Wednesday, September 7.