Help bring protected bike facilities Uptown at the Uptown Connects Public Workshop TONIGHT! 
Tonight at 5:30pm, the City of Charlotte is giving an update on the Uptown Connects Study! This is your chance to share your thoughts on a recommended protected bike lane pilot project along 5th and 6th Streets between Irwin Creek Greenway and Little Sugar Creek Greenway!
When/Where: TONIGHT (February 23rd), 5:30pm - 7:30pm @ Seventh Street Public Market, 224 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28202.
There will be a short presentation at 5:45 p.m., followed by an open-house and a Q&A workshop to provide feedback.
Click here to learn more and register!
Way2Go CLT launches NEXT WEEK! Register for free TODAY and be ready to log trips for a chance to win prizes starting March 1!
This is BIG! For eight months, you will be one of thousands of Charlotte area residents and organizations who will join forces to reduce miles driven alone by ONE MILLION in 2017!
Do it for your health. Do it for your wallet. Do it for Charlotte. Do it for the shameless bragging rights.
Once you've joined as an individual, we want to help you form a team for your neighborhood, employer or other organization for free! Email [email protected] for details.
Thanks to financial support from NCDOT and Kimley-Horn, we’re able to bring this initiative and customized platform to you at no cost!
What we learned at the New Partners for Smart Growth Conference
Photo: Trailnet's demo protected bike lane used simple, colorful materials to provide cyclists with separation from cars.
Over the past 15 years the New Partners for Smart Growth has become the largest and most comprehensive sustainable communities conference in the nation. Two of our staff, Meg Fencil (Program Director) and Branyn Calegar (Community Outreach Coordinator) traveled to St. Louis for the 3-day conference and learned a lot about sustainable growth!
Click here to read some key principles that we think Charlotte would benefit from!
Head of CATS identifies why bus ridership has declined and how we can reverse the trend
CATS CEO John Lewis presented at Wednesday's monthly Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC) meeting on ridership and fare trends. He acknowledged that bus ridership has declined and stated at both the beginning and end of his presentation that he believes it's largely due to CATS not fully meeting the mobility needs of its current and potential riders.
Click here to read more about why bus ridership has declined and how we are supporting CATS and the MTC on their work to reverse this trend!
Local residents like you play a critical role in ensuring we have the resources to carry out our work in the community to inspire choices that lead to a healthy, equitable and vibrant community for generations to come! Click below to be the change and become a sustaining member today!
We need volunteers for two upcoming events!
Matthews Earth Day Celebration
WHEN: Saturday, April 22, 10:00am - 2:00pm
WHERE: Stumptown Park, S Trade St, Matthews, NC 28105
WHAT: Come celebrate our wonderful Earth and how to be sustainable! You can participate in HAWKcycyling: recycling of batteries, CFLS, aluminum pull tabs, corks, egg cartons, medicines, & more! Compost information, wildlife and animal exhibits, eco-friendly green businesses and services will be there to explore and learn more about. Don't miss out food, music, and lots of fun!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: 2 - Please email [email protected] if interested!
Charlotte VegFest 2017
WHEN: Saturday, April 29, 11:00am - 4:00pm
WHERE: Freedom Hall at the Park Expo and Conference Center, 800 Briar Creek Rd, Charlotte, NC 28205
WHAT: Charlotte VegFest is a celebration of healthy, sustainable, and compassionate eating and explores the endless benefits of vegetarian living. This free event will feature a variety of vegan foods, local veg restaurants and food trucks, local vendors, live music, speakers, nutritional experts, vegan cooking demonstrations, free prizes, gift bags and more!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: 2 - Please email [email protected] if interested!
Share your perceptions of biking in Charlotte!
PeopleForBikes wants to know: Which U.S. cities are best for biking — and, just as importantly, how did they get that way?
City ratings, launching in summer 2017, will use a smart, transparent calculation to find the communities making the most progress on bicycle transportation and recreation. Cities' scores will be based entirely on "facts on the ground": the city's current and past work to create great places to ride a bike, along with data about public opinion, biking, safety and political organization. It'll give special recognition to cities whose policies are proven to accelerate the growth of bike use.
Click here to take the survey now!
The True Cost of That Parking Space [Op-Ed by Sustain Charlotte in The Charlotte Observer]
"Charlotte has invested, and will continue to invest, substantial sums of money to provide residents more safe and convenient transportation choices beyond cars. These include more opportunities to ride transit, bike and walk to achieve improvements in public health, the environment and to further economic growth. Undermining the impact of these investments, however, are Charlotte’s minimum parking requirements. These requirements result in abundant parking, which make driving more convenient and affordable than it otherwise would be if parking were scarce. Demand for driving is artificially induced while demand for modes of transportation that compete with driving is reduced as a result." On Sunday, our op-ed on parking requirements in Charlotte was published in the The Charlotte Observer. We're calling on the city to eliminate minimum parking requirements for new development, as other cities have done. Please read and share your thoughts!
"Charlotte is way behind comparably sized cities like Denver in the ease of getting around via transit instead of cars. Our city’s leaders have also been way too restrained in offering concrete, ambitious proposals that we can rally behind." We're thrilled that Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) CEO John Lewis has big plans for expanding transit in the Charlotte area that will provide thousands of residents with sustainable transportation options!
Student Projects Tackle Hunger through Sustainability in our City [Pop-Up Produce Blog]
This year, the British International School of Charlotte school is taking part in the Global Challenge, with their connection to the other schools from Nord Anglia Education and The United Nations, and looking for ways to end hunger in the United States and world through sustainable initiatives. Meg Fencil, Program Director of Sustain Charlotte, reached out to Amanda Zullo, Founder of Pop Up Produce to see if she'd be willing to visit the British International School of Charlotte and speak about the sustainable work we are doing together in our community. Click here to learn more and watch the inspiring videos that were shared with students!
What Does Affordable Housing Mean in Charlotte? [Charlotte Agenda]
"Rent is rising rapidly and low- and middle-income people are quickly being priced out of Charlotte’s neighborhoods as they develop and redevelop.That’s one reason why Charlotte’s city council has pledged to accelerate the creation of 5,000 more affordable housing units over the next three years." This is a great article that explains what "affordable" really means, where it exists in Charlotte, and where the city is trying to build more. Click here to read more about the growing housing needs of Charlotte's residents and workers!
* TONIGHT (February 23) - Uptown Connects Public Input Meeting *
5:30pm - 7:30pm @ Seventh Street Public Market, 224 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28202.
The Charlotte Department of Transportation is leading an effort in partnership with Charlotte Center City Partners to complete an Uptown Urban Trail Connections Study. The goal of this study is to identify challenges to and solutions for cycling and walking through Uptown between existing and future greenways and urban trail facilities. There will be a short presentation at 5:45 pm, followed by an open-house, drop-in format where you can hear more details about the study and provide your comments on the proposed pilot cycle track. This is your chance to tell the city you support #ibikeCLT and want to see safe, protected bike lanes throughout Charlotte!
* March 8 - Sustain Charlotte Monthly Mixer with Green Drinks Charlotte *
6:00pm - 7:30pm @ Free Range Brewing, 2320 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205.
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 issues. At 6:45, our program will begin and you'll hear from Way2Go CLT sponsor Kimley-Horn who will tell you about their sustainability efforts! This is a family-friendly event and everyone is warmly welcomed. Please be sure to register to let us know you're coming:
Note: In an effort to sustain our events and programs (including our Monthly Mixers), we're asking that all non-members donate just $5 to attend this event. Not a member? Join today for just $5/month or $60/year to attend all future mixers at no cost, plus receive other great benefits!
* April 26 - 2017 Sustain Charlotte Awards Celebration *
5:30pm - 8:30pm @ LaCa Projects Gallery, 1429 Bryant St, Charlotte, NC 28208.
Nine award-winning visionaries. Nine locally curated courses. One incredible journey into Charlotte's future through the eyes, hearts, and hands of our sustainability leaders. Meet our 2017 winners, while noshing on nine courses with ROOTS Catering! Ticket purchase includes two drinks, a delicious, locally-sourced nine-course meal, and an evening of celebration you don't want to miss! Get your early bird tickets before March 15 for just $55!
Nominate an individual or organization for a Sustain Charlotte Award TODAY! Self-nominations are welcomed and encouraged! Deadline for nominations is March 12. *Nominees must live or operate in the Greater Charlotte metro area.
February 24 - KEEPING WATCH on Habitat Opening Reception
6:00pm - 8:00pm @ Projective Eye Gallery at UNC Charlotte Center City, 320 E 9th St, Charlotte, NC 28202.
Curated by Director of Galleries Crista Cammaroto, the KEEPING WATCH on HABITAT exhibition (February 24 - April 27) presents the work of artists who ask us to contemplate our separation from nature and our longing to immerse ourselves in the sustenance that nature provides. A significant focus for KEEPING WATCH on HABITAT is to break down the wall between the natural environment and the built environment by bringing the natural world inside the gallery. In monthly rotations, artists Jennifer Angus, Shaun Cassidy and Alison Donohue will create temporary floor installations using materials found in nature. We are a proud community partner of KEEPING WATCH! Click here to learn more.
March 3 - KEEPING WATCH on Habitat Sustainability Salon
7:00pm - 9:00pm @ UNC Charlotte Center City, 320 E 9th St, Charlotte, NC 28202.
Artists are agents of change. Robert Bush, president and CEO of the Arts & Science Council, moderates a panel discussion with artists and curators whose art amplifies messages of environmental concern. Reception at 7 p.m., panel at 8 p.m. Presented in partnership with the Carolina Raptor Center. Registration is required. Please click here to register.
March 13 - KEEPING WATCH Mechanical Eye Exhibit Opening Reception
5:00pm - 7:00pm @ Projective Eye Gallery at UNC Charlotte Center City, 320 E 9th St, Charlotte, NC 28202.
The Department of Art & Art History and Rowe Galleries present Mechanical Eye, March 13-29, featuring the work of Rob Carter, McColl Center for Art + Innovation/UNC Charlotte Artist-in-Residence, and students in Associate Professor of Art Jeff Murphy’s Video Art course. Working in a variety of media, including video and photography, Rob Carter often explores historical developments in agricultural science and human relationships to the natural world. His new video piece, Catawba, focuses on Cowans Ford Dam and Lake Norman and will be the centerpiece of the Rowe exhibition. Click here to learn more!
March 23 - Uptown Gallery Crawl
6:00pm - 9:00pm @ Projective Eye Gallery at UNC Charlotte Center City, 320 E 9th St, Charlotte, NC 28202.
The Projective Eye Gallery joins other local art venues for the Uptown Gallery Crawl. Hop on a trolley bus and check out artist Shaun Cassidy’s new earthwork installation in our gallery, then see exhibitions at The Mint Museum, Harvey B. Gantt Center, Sozo Gallery, McColl Center for Art + Innovation, and more. Click here to learn more!
We're happy to announce that Leaf Burrito has joined the Sustain Charlotte Partner Network at the Gold level and Neighboring Concepts has joined has joined at the Silver level! We're proud to have their support of our mission and your community! 
MANY THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS
Is your company interested in joining the Sustain Charlotte Partner Network? Our generous partners play a critical role in supporting our work. Through our corporate membership program, we provide year-round brand exposure, positive publicity, and business development opportunities to those businesses and nonprofits that are helping make our community more sustainable through their products, services, or commitment to move their organization towards greater sustainability. Become a partner today!
The Center for Intentional Leadership - Free Range Brewing - Shook Kelley - TreeCycle America - Wooden Robot Brewery
GOLD
Abundant Power Group, LLC - Alfred Williams & Company - Alta Planning + Design - Belk - Boingo Graphics - DPS Construction - Epic Capital Wealth Management - Integra Design Group - Leaf Burrito - Logan Community Music School - National Gypsum - Optima Engineering - S&D Coffee & Tea - Weeklyrides.com
SILVER
The Home Collection - NC Sustainable Energy Association - Neighboring Concepts - Pasta & Provisions - Radiator Specialty Company - RED Group - Stantec
BRONZE
AT&T - Barrett G. Moore, DDS, PA & Associates - Carolina Urban Lumber - Charlotte Agenda - Choices Do Matter - Craft Growler Shop and Tasting Room - Dharma Construction Group, LLC - Domtar - Duke Energy - Flywheel Group - Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont - Greater Charlotte Apartment Association - Green LED Efficiency - Greffen Systems - Healthy Home Market - HNTB - Insight Architects - Interstate All Battery Center - Charlotte - Javesca Coffee - Okra Charlotte / Gumbo: The Store - Queen City Bicycles - Renewable Energy Transition Initiative - SAROS Desalination - Studio Cellar - STV Engineers, Inc. - TC Lifestyle Fitness - WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff
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