Nominees will be recognized and awards will be presented to local organizations in the following eight categories:

Land Use

Water

In addition, one award will be presented to an individual in the category of Outstanding Sustainability Leader.

---

There Could Be a New Light Rail Stop by Publix and Sycamore Brewing [Charlotte Agenda]

"If there’s any gaping hole in the light rail line today, this is it — the space between the New Bern station and East/West station that has all of a sudden become a hub of activity. There’s a mile between the two stations, and right in the middle are some major attractions: the Publix supermarket and Sycamore Brewing...The more things develop, the more need to be able to easily walk to it all." We agree a light rail stop is needed in this area to re-connect a disconnected neighborhood!

---

Building a Bikeable Atlanta With an Eye on Equality [NextCity]

"In Atlanta, one of America’s most notoriously sprawling, car-centric cities, fewer than 1 percent of residents are cyclists. But two-wheeled culture is making progress...Nedra Deadwyler, founder of historical bike tour company Civil Bikes, welcomes the shift, but says Atlanta will require major infrastructure changes to become a truly bikeable city...'As people, a lot of times we’re disconnected,' says Deadwyler. 'I want [riders] to have that experience of being on a bike and exerting energy, feeling that euphoria you get from being on a bike, listening to these stories, listening to cars, being in the environment as well as engaging with other people.'" Want to become more connected to YOUR Charlotte community? Ride your bike, take a walk, or ride the bus with your neighbors and watch your life be transformed!

---

Portland is First U.S. City to Make Protection the Default for All New Bike Lanes [People for Bikes]

"Last fall, Oregon's largest city created another new policy. Effective immediately, every time Portland road designers recommended a bike lane, they would need to make it a protected bike lane — or else explain why not. Portland's policy, announced internally in an Oct. 19 memo from Transportation Director Leah Treat, applies to all city-managed streets with average daily traffic of 3,000 motor vehicles or more." What will it take for the City of Charlotte to make bicycle safety a priority? Given the amount and rate of new development throughout our city, we are faced with the perfect opportunity to build the bicycle infrastructure that will help transform Charlotte into a safe, bike-friendly community!

---

* February 2 - Sustain Charlotte Monthly Mixer with Green Drinks Charlotte *

6:00 - 7:30pm @ Wooden Robot Brewery, 1440 S Tryon St #110, Charlotte, NC. Join us for an informal and fun evening of conversation and networking. Our Monthly Mixers provide an opportunity to learn more about us, our partners, and meet others interested in local sustainability! This month, you'll hear from our Gold Partner, #thesavageway, who will share about their sustainability efforts! Click here for more information and to RSVP.

---

February 4 - Talk by NPR Science Correspondent Dr. Joe Palca

7:00pm @ Hilton Charlotte Center City, 222 E 3rd St, Charlotte, NC. Hors d’oeuvres will be served during a social hour @7pm, program to begin at 8pm.  This meeting is open to the public and there is no charge for the event. There is a $5 charge for parking at the hotel. Seating is limited, click here to RSVP.

---

February 16 - WFU faculty experts and business leader to converge in Charlotte to discuss climate change

7:00 - 7:30pm @ WFU Charlotte Center, 200 N. College Street, Suite 150 Charlotte 28202. Wake Forest University School of Divinity will convene a panel discussion in Charlotte, bringing three nationally recognized experts to discuss issues of environmental justice. Click here for more information and to register.

---

* February 25 -  Thursday Night Sustainable Pint *

5:30 - 7:30pm @ Pint Central, 1226 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC. Celebrate the end of the month with a cheers to sustainability! Pint Central is hosting this event on our behalf. We'll receive a donation of $1 from each Lenny Boy Brewing Co. beer and kombucha sold and $2 from each Tito's Handmade Vodka Moscow Mule sold! Stop by anytime to learn more about our work, or simply come to enjoy great food and drink specials! Click here for more information.

---

MANY THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS