How can we grow greenway networks like ours faster? Join us this coming Tuesday, Feb. 21, at Midnight Mulligan from 6-7:30 p.m. for a conversation with East Coast Greenway Alliance Executive Director Dennis Markatos-Soriano about challenges and new opportunities for accelerating our local greenway expansion.
We’ll enjoy time for networking from 6-6:30 p.m. (appetizers provided!), followed by a program and panel discussion, including an opportunity for questions and answers. Come learn what you can do to help grow our greenways faster — and bring a friend! RSVP here.
And go ahead and mark your calendar for some other fun upcoming events.
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On Friday, March 3, we’re teaming up with AARP Charlotte and our Growing our Greenways partners to host a group walk along the Irwin and Stewart Creek greenways from 9-10:30 a.m. We’ll meet at Seversville Park on Bruns Avenue in Charlotte. Learn more and sign up here.
On Wednesday, March 8 at 7 p.m., we’re hosting Sustainability Game Night at Divine Barrel Brewing. Bring your friends or make new ones and flex your board-game skills. Learn more.
Finally, make plans to spend Earth Day (Saturday, April 22) with other Sustain Charlotte friends and supporters from 10 a.m. to noon as we take a stroll and conduct a greenway and stream clean along Campbell Creek Greenway. Want to help? Register here.
Looking forward to seeing you soon!
Meg Fencil
Director of Engagement and Impact
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Sustain Charlotte Board members Ray Addison, Philip Otienoburu and Becca Smith and Sustain Charlotte Executive Director Shannon Binns present Christopher Dennis the Inspiring Individual Award at last year's Sustain Charlotte Awards. (📷: Grant Baldwin Photography for Sustain Charlotte)
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Big news: Duke Energy is returning as our Sustain Charlotte Awards presenting sponsor!
We're excited to announce that Charlotte's own Duke Energy is the presenting sponsor for our 11th annual Sustain Charlotte Awards! We're grateful for Duke's support of this important event that highlights the achievements of local sustainability leaders. Learn more about Duke Energy at duke-energy.com.
Speaking of the Awards: We're still accepting nominations through Feb. 28! Do you know a person, business, nonprofit, young leader or building project that deserves recognition for advancing smart growth and sustainability in the Charlotte region? Let us know today. You can also make a nomination for Mecklenburg County's Recycling Excellence Award. This award is sponsored by Mecklenburg County Solid Waste as part of its waste reduction and recycling education programs.
We recognize nominees who cut across silos to holistically advance smart growth and sustainability. Winners will be announced at the awards gala on April 27. Secure your seats for this memorable evening here.
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A diesel-electric hybrid CATS bus stops to pick up passengers along Albemarle Road in east Charlotte on Feb. 14, 2023. (📷: Dashiell Coleman/Sustain Charlotte)
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We shared our concerns about Charlotte City Council's recent vote on buses
On Monday, Feb. 13, Charlotte City Council approved a request by the Charlotte Area Transit System to buy more diesel-electric hybrid buses next year. We're concerned about that decision because it amounts to the city slowing down plans to make the entire CATS bus fleet all-electric by 2030.
We need a zero-carbon bus fleet. And we think this vote is especially troublesome on the heels of the recent decision to rebuild the Charlotte Transportation Center — our city's central bus station — underground. We're concerned about the air quality in such an enclosed space.
We want to see the city reverse this decision and do what's necessary to transition to a fully battery-electric bus fleet by 2030. You can read more in this week's Climate News from WFAE, which includes a statement from our founder, Shannon Binns.
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💡 Renewing partner spotlight: Insight Architects 💡
We are so grateful to Insight Architects for renewing their annual partnership in our corporate partner network as a Gold Partner! Insight Architects is a Charlotte-based firm that works on a wide range of projects, ranging from small boutique restaurants and retail to large institutional buildings for major universities. Learn more about them at insightarch.com.
They also wrote a neat guest post for us about how thoughtful architecture can reduce energy use and help our society become more sustainable. Read it here!
Businesses that join our partner network are committing to support our efforts toward a healthy, equitable and vibrant Charlotte for generations to come.
To learn more about how your company can become a partner, visit sustaincharlotte.org/partnership!
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(📷: City of Charlotte)
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What's on our radar
• Weigh in on Meck's budget process: Mecklenburg County's budget process for fiscal year 2024 is underway. Residents are invited to attend workshops to learn more about the process and provide input that may factor into county leaders' decisions. We covered the budget process so far with an overview of early discussions and a piece on the Capital Improvement Plan. We encourage you to attend a workshop. Details here.
• Help make Charlotte's public spaces pop: The Charlotte Urban Design Center has opened applications for the 2023 Placemaking Grant and Creative Pool. The program is meant to make underutilized public spaces more vibrant. Projects could include murals, painted crosswalks, green infrastructure, bike parking, bus stop improvements and more. Grants ranging from $1,000-$25,000 are available. Residents, organizations and businesses can apply. The deadline for applications is March 3. Learn more here.
• Apply for a fellowship to help address climate change. E Pluribus Unum just opened up applications its new fellowship cohort program. Public and civic sector leaders in the South who are engaged in work on climate and the environment and want to deepen their focus on racial equity are encouraged to apply. Details here.
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