Green Saves Green Meeting Minutes

Monday, June 6, 2022

5:30 p.m., Pasquotank County Library

Present: Emely Arredondo, Karl Brandspigel, Sharon Burtner, Nita Coleman, Jane Elfring, Marlene Greer, Kurt Hunsberger, Rodney Johnson, Bill and Sue Kruse, Bobby & Jane Plough, Anne Radke, Julie Robinson, Dixie Sakolosky, John Stolarczyk, Scott Sullens, Michelle Tangredi, Jared Tardiff, Tim Tolson, Sheila Wrenn

Chair Report (Nita)

Plants for Pollinators was a success. It was standing room only. We sent everyone involved an email asking what they thought of the event and how it could be improved. We’re looking for honest feedback.

Emely turned in her resignation from the board. She graduated high school and is on her way to Duke University to study environmental science. Karina, who does our website, also graduated and will be moving on. We’re currently looking for another intern. We’d also like to recruit more students to GSG. We’ve started a new page on our website for students. Right now it only has testimonials from Emely and our former intern Natalie. Please share the testimonials with people you know who might know a student who wants to get involved.

Albemarle Watershed Watch (Rodney)

May 18 sampling went well. We had a few recent algal blooms. One that lasted 3-4 days on the Little River, and one on the Pasquotank in the Newbegun area that lasted half a day. Algae can move in and out quickly, but where does it go? Is it toxic, and how long does it take the toxins to go away? Researchers are looking into that. We hope to have answers at the end of the 2½-year study. Next sampling will be June 15.

RISE (Bill)

Still working on developing a list of projects, which he believes, will be sent in from various entities in the region. The projects range from shore protection to stormwater management. How they will prioritize the projects remains to be seen.

Roots & Shoots (Julie)

We received $200 grant from the Roots & Shoots organization for the NEAAAT Bottle Graveyard project. The project will continue with the same students in the fall. NEAAAT students are also interested in starting a pollinator garden in the fall.

We’re talking about ways this summer to get teachers and other community organizers who expressed interest in doing things with young people together for a seminar on the R&S model. Julie has been in touch with R&S and they might have a speaker via Zoom. We’re looking at early August as the best time for the seminar. Education Committee is meeting tomorrow to discuss.

School Field Trips (Nita)

NEAAAT contacted us regarding field trips to complement its 5th and 6th grade summer project learning subjects. Nita contacted several area environmental organizations and compiled a resource list, which she shared with NEAAAT. She would like to see the resource list put on our website. If you have any suggestions for the list, please send them to Nita.

Upcoming Events

               Debunking Common Recycling Myths, 12 p.m. June 15, History for Lunch at Museum of the Albemarle. Brad Gardner, director Pasquotank Solid Waste, will discuss the county’s recycling program.

               Green Drinks, 5:30-6:30 p.m. June 15, Seven Sounds Brewery. John has rebooted our informal Green Drinks gatherings. The first 30 minutes will be socializing. Then Rodney will talk about the status of the regional water quality testing program. Emely will create the event flyer and will have it ready by Wednesday to share on social media.

               Love Your River Paddle, 9 a.m. Sept 17 or 18, or Oct. 15. Plan is to launch at COA canal and paddle to Waterfront Park (5.6 miles). If river conditions at the waterfront are not suitable, we’ll leave from COA and head upriver around Goat Island (4 miles). Limited to 25-30 people. Will have them sign up in advance on website. Drop off at COA, drive and park vehicle at Waterfront Park, shuttle back to COA. Rodney believes we can get enough people willing to use their private vehicles to shuttle. He will bring his pontoon boat to act as a safety boat. Dr. Bagwell at COA has given us his approval to launch from COA but probably needs approval from COA board. Phil to follow up. If COA does not give official approval, we have other options. This is planned as a test run for a potential larger paddle event at COA on Earth Day 2023. Nita is still looking into a different liability policy that includes water events. Otherwise, we’ll need to purchase one-day event insurance.

               Camden Heritage Festival, Saturday Oct. 8. We’ve been invited to exhibit at the event. No charge. Group decided it would be worthwhile. Jared, Michelle, and Anne agreed to man our booth. We’ll need to come up with what we want to display and something interesting for children to do.

Other Business

Fenwick-Hollowell Trail Steering Committee. The group will be looking at what can be done with the grassy area in front of the trail entrances to enhance the outdoor experience. Ideas include kayak launch, outdoor classroom, fishing spot, pollinator garden, picnic tables, greenhouse or other space for school agriculture programs, and telescopic viewers mounted along the trail. Whatever is decided, COA will need to be on board to maintain. Nita, Phil, and Rodney are on the committee. The first meeting is this month.

Next GSG meeting will be 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 6 at the Pasquotank County Library.