From the Pamlico-Tar River Foundation

 

The Pamlico-Tar River Foundation (PTRF) held its annual meeting Tuesday night at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation building in Greenville. The meeting is free and open to PTRF members and the public. The annual meeting features reports on the foundation and the “State of the River” and an awards presentation that includes recognition of area residents.

The Blounts Creek Community from Beaufort County received the Dick Leach Volunteer of the Year award that recognizes the person or group who contributed most significantly to the goals and programs of PTRF. The community has rallied around their beloved waterway, Blounts Creek, in order to protect it from a proposed wastewater discharge from a new limestone mine. Their actions and efforts have raised more than $10,000 to help support PTRF in the battle to protect Blounts Creek and their grassroots efforts have gained the attention of politicians and regulators in Raleigh.

PTRF’s “Great Blue Heron” awards were presented to Harvey Spurr and Buster Thompson. The Great Blue Heron award is given to individuals who have made outstanding, long-term contributions to the protection of environmental quality in the Tar-Pamlico watershed and to PTRF.

Buster Thompson, an avid kayaker and scuba diver, has been a member of PTRF for almost 30 years and has been a staunch advocate for clean water throughout that time. Over the past two years, Thompson has been conducting weekly water quality sampling on Blounts Creek. He is also a regular volunteer at most of PTRF’s educational and outreach events.

Harvey Spurr has shown extraordinary leadership in addressing environmental issues in Granville County, especially related to the protection and restoration of Coon and Fishing Creeks. Spurr is USDA Professor Emeritus of Plant Pathology at North Carolina State University, and owner of Spurr Eden cattle ranch.

Jean Blaine, from Granville County, and Bradley Beggs, assistant director for Adventure Programs at East Carolina University, received the PTRF staff award for outstanding service. The staff award goes to individuals who make remarkable contributions that may not be seen directly by the members.

The Pamlico-Tar River Foundation is a grassroots non-profit organization whose mission is to monitor, protect, and enhance the Tar-Pamlico River and watershed while promoting environmental justice. For more information, visit www.ptrf.org.