Green Saves Green Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, September 7, 2022

5:30 p.m., Pasquotank County Library

Present: Karl Brandspigel, Sharon Burtner, Nita Coleman, Phil Donahue, Marlene Greer, Charles Jordan, Bill and Sue Kruse, Rob Powell, Anne Radke, Jane Synder, Michelle Tangredi, Jared Tardiff, Ruth Wells

Chair Report (Nita)

Several members could not attend due to illness and out of town.

Mike Cox notified us that The Elizabeth City Urban Tree Commission is looking for new members. City residents preferred.

Local Boy Scout Gavin White has selected  the repair of the Goat Island camping platform as an Eagle Scout project. He has a meeting scheduled with county administrators next week.

Albemarle Watershed Watch (Nita for Rodney)

We are working with UNC and NCSU to collect and test water samples. The Little River currently has algal blooms in three locations: one in a creek near Dances Bay, and two in the Nixonton area. The day after the blooms in Nixonton were reported to NCDEQ, someone showed up and took samples. They should have results by next week on if the algae are toxic or not. If you see a bloom, it’s important to report it.

GSG and Albemarle Regional Health Services are exploring a partnership to test river water for algal toxins and other contaminants. ARHS is working with Duke University on a study of possible environmental causes of a regional cluster of ALS cases. We need to know more about study design and sampling protocols, and confer with our Water Watchers  before committing. 

Fenwick-Hollowell Wetlands Trail (Phil)

Phil walked the trail today. It’s in good shape. There is a new dark blue sign up along Route 17 directing people to the trail. COA plans to have the main trailhead sign redone. The security cameras are up and functioning. COA agreed to take care of the vegetative maintenance, including the area of the trail behind the hospital. Rotary Corps agreed to monitor the trail needs for safety, replacing boards, maintenance, etc. Of the 75 plaques COA had made for people who donated $250 or more toward the trail restoration, 45 are up. The rest should be installed in the next two weeks.

Jane advised that the YMCA summer camp students were out using the trail every day, and they plan to take the kids in the YMCA’s after school program on the trail.

The COA FH Trail Steering Committee met once earlier in the summer for an initial discussion of ideas for development and expansion of the property adjacent to the trail behind COA. After the nursing simulation lab is moved to the new COA Nursing Bldg (2024?), steering committee members Phil, Nita, and Rodney have suggested that the old  president’s house could provide space for a regional Nature Center.  Also, a kayak launch could be created on the canal just behind the house. A CAMA grant that would cover 90% of the cost is available. Ideas for development of the grassy area in front of the trail were discussed too. Awaiting more direction from COA.

RISE (Bill)

The Albemarle Regional Commission has identified several potential climate resilience projects in the Albemarle area. Residents can weigh in on these projects at a public forum on Sept. 29 at the Commission office in Hertford.  At this point, Bill is not sure how they will prioritize the projects, who will do them, and where the funds will come from. We need to get people out to support the regional projects.

Fall Litter Sweep and Campus Cleanups (Marlene)

We plan to invite all EC/Pasquotank Public Schools to participate in Campus Cleanups as part of Fall Litter Sweep. We will bring all the necessary supplies to the school and help students with the cleanup. Need GSG volunteers. Will advise of the days/times. 

A group cleanup of Halstead Blvd. Ext. is set for 9-11 am Saturday, Oct. 22. Meet at the Southern Bank parking lot. Supplies provided or bring your own.

Student Outreach and Roots & Shoots (Nita)

Julie continues to move ahead with the Roots & Shoots program. She has three teachers interested, and hopes to work with them on pilot projects. She will continue to work with NEAAAT in the fall to finish up its “Bottle Graveyard” project. 

Julie is reaching out to the ECPPS district office to set up a meeting to discuss GSG’s student environmental education programs.

We have a new Educators Page on our website. It features ways for teachers to engage students in environmental curriculum, including Campus Cleanups, Roots & Shoots, and a Resource List of local environmental field trip opportunities. NEAAAT students’ summer program scheduled several field trips and in-class speakers using the list.

Upcoming Events

Celebrating “Sound” Waterways, 10am-3:30pm Saturday, Sep. 24. Sponsored by the Chowan Edenton Environmental Group. GSG has signed up to exhibit. We plan to focus on what we do to protect our waterways and will include activities for children. Volunteers: Marlene, Nita, Karl, and Jared.

Camden Heritage Festival, Saturday Oct. 8. Jared, Michelle, and Anne have not yet pinpointed the focus of the GSG exhibit for the festival. They will meet to discuss and decide.

Green Drinks. Anne suggested having the person who bought Groupers share his/her plans for the waterfront.

Tree Plantings, February 2023. Our Plant A Valentine will feature large trees. We hope to work with schools, public parks, and other organizations like the SPCA to hold tree plantings.

Earth Day 2023. Want to do something for Earth Day, which is on a Saturday. We are considering a student environmental art exhibit to showcase at AOA. Please share your ideas. 

Other Business

The National Audubon Society is promoting a lights out at night campaign to protect migrating birds from Sept. 10 to Nov. 30. Anne will be in Raleigh for a NC Wildlife Federation meeting and will see if the campaign can be shared through the NCWF network. We will post on our FB page.

Next GSG meeting will be 5:30 p.m. Monday, October 3 at the Pasquotank County Library.