By NC Cooperative Extension
CHOWAN COUNTY — Join the Extension Master Gardener Volunteers on Saturday, August 23, 2025 at the Cupola House Gardens at the intersection of West Water and South Broad streets, for the Great Southeast Pollinator Census.
This Citizen Science initiative, put on by Cooperative Extension services and Land-Grant Universities around the Southeastern United States, uses community members to take count of pollinator interactions in their local community to gauge pollinator presence and health. We invite you to get involved by joining us in the Cupola House Gardens during this year’s Great Southeast Pollinator Census for counting, pollinator education, native plant identification and children’s activities!
The event will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23.
Participants will meet with Extension Master Gardener Volunteers at the welcome table to collect their counting materials, which include a tally sheet. Participants will then select one of the identified pollinator-friendly plants in the Cupola House and observe the plant for 15 minutes to count the number of times a pollinator or pollinators interact with it. After the timer is up, participants turn in their tally sheet and explore some of the other educational activities and fun at this event.
- by Kellie Binnicker, Area Agent for Agriculture and Consumer Horticulture at the Chowan County Extension Office
Camden County
The Camden County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension announced that Amy Twiddy, Extension Administrative Assistant, recently achieved the Professional Administrative Certification of Excellence (PACE) from the American Society of Administrative Professionals (ASAP). This distinguished certification highlights Amy’s unwavering commitment to professional development and excellence.
The PACE certification is a comprehensive program that assesses proficiency across four crucial areas: Interpersonal Communication, Task & Project Management, Computer & Internet Technology, and Management Skills. To earn this highly respected credential, Amy successfully completed rigorous coursework in each of these areas and passed a challenging exam.
“Amy is truly instrumental to everything we do here,” remarked Austin Brown, Camden County Extension Director. “Amy’s dedication to Camden County Extension shines through her work. She not only excels in her local role but also spearheads the administrative coordination for a number of high-impact regional Extension initiatives. This certification is clear proof of her commitment to continuously improving her skills so she can serve even better. On behalf of the entire Camden Extension team, we’re incredibly thankful for all she does and immensely proud of this prestigious accomplishment.”
As Extension Administrative Assistant, Amy skillfully supports daily Extension office operations, community engagement efforts and staff educational programming that serves the community of Camden County. For information about Extension in Camden County, visit: camden.ces.ncsu.edu or call 252-331-7630.
- by Austin Brown, County Extension Director and Agriculture Agent for Camden County