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These Streets in Uptown and NoDa Will be Closed to Traffic for One Day in May [Charlotte Agenda]

"The city of Charlotte is planning a big event where major streets will be shut down to traffic. Called Open Streets 704, the project will close down entire streets to cars and turn them over to bikes and pedestrians for an afternoon — May 1 from noon to 4 p.m. This is a Sunday. The whole thing is inspired by city planner Gil Penalosa and funded by the Knight Foundation..." We're thrilled to be a partner in the huge Open Streets 704 effort coming to Charlotte! Join us and your neighbors to ride a bike, walk, rollerblade, or dance down miles of traffic-free Charlotte streets!

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7 Ideas for Fixing SouthPark [Charlotte Agenda]

"If you live or work in SouthPark, you could probably rattle off some problems it has...it took all of a week for some of the brightest minds in urban planning to figure all those things out for themselves. And they came up with a handful of ideas to solve them. The ideas come from a panel convened by the Urban Land Institute and paid for by the city of Charlotte and private businesses who call SouthPark home." Our Bicycle Program Director, Jordan Moore, was interviewed for this panel study of South Park's future. We're thankful to the City of Charlotte and Urban Land Institute for being proactive in the development of rapidly growing South Park so it will become a safer, less congested, and more enjoyable place for people who live, work, shop, dine, and play there! The questions asked in this report are ones we should be asking THROUGHOUT Charlotte!

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Finally, a Little Accountability for State DOTs on Bike and Pedestrian Safety

"In a win for bike and pedestrian safety, the Federal Highway Administration announced yesterday that it will require state transportation agencies to do something they have never had to do before: set goals to reduce bike and pedestrian fatalities, and track progress toward attaining those goals." This is an encouraging step towards improving the safety of people who walk and ride bicycles. Thank you to League of American Bicyclists and all who advocate for safer streets!

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We still need another volunteer for our information table at the following event:

Ballantyne Earth Day Event
Thursday, April 21, 11:30am - 1:30pm @ Ballantyne Corporate Park. This event will feature local, eco-friendly vendors, music, giveaways, food trucks, free shredding and free e-Cycling. 

No experience is needed as you will simply be handing out information about our work. Reply to this email if interested!

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Support our campaign for a protected bike lane through Uptown! 

Would a protected bike lane make you feel more comfortable riding your bike through Uptown? Do you want one (or many!) of these in Charlotte? 

If so, sign our statement of support for a protected bike lane through Uptown, connecting Irwin Creek and Little Sugar Creek Greenways! Please share the link with your friends and family! 

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March 5 to April 23 - Particle Falls 

7:00pm - 10:00pm @ West wall of the UNC-Charlotte Center City Building, 320 East 9th Street, Charlotte, NC. Particle Falls is an animated light projection on the side of the UNC – Charlotte Center City building that reveals in real time, the invisible dangers in the air we are breathing. This is a dramatic public art and science project that raises awareness of the presence and impact of particulate pollution. Click here for more information. 

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April 4 - Transforming Our Energy Future: Energy Equity & You

7:00pm - 9:00pm @ the Odell Building (7th Floor), 525 N. Tryon St. Charlotte, NC. This event will explore how the energy sector is transforming energy production as the global energy markets shift to a low carbon economy, why this transition is occurring & possible barriers, what role clean renewable energy plays in this new energy future, and examine how to ensure this transition is done in an equitable way that ensures everyone access to affordable choices. Event is free and open to the public but registration is required. Click here for more information and to register.

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* April 5 - Sustain Charlotte + Green Drinks Charlotte Monthly Mixer *

6:00pm - 7:30pm @ Wooden Robot Brewery, 1440 S Tryon St #110, Charlotte 28203. 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 6:30, you'll hear from Sustain Charlotte Silver Partner, Stantec, who will share about their sustainability efforts. There are no membership requirements and everyone is warmly welcomed. Click here to RSVP.

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April 8 - NC BREATHE Conference

8:00am - 5:00pm @ UNC Charlotte Center City, 320 E. 9th Street, Charlotte 28202. This is an interactive forum for North Carolinians to share the latest research related to the impacts air pollution has on human health, the environment, and the economy, and to discuss the critical role policy making plays. For more information and to register, click here. 

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April 19 - KEEPING WATCH on AIR Science Cafe

5:30pm @ UNC Charlotte Center City, 320 E. 9th Street, Charlotte 28202. The Charlotte Area Science Network presents a Science Café discussion on air quality, featuring Dr. Brian Magi of the UNC Charlotte Department of Geography and Earth Sciences. This presentation discusses air quality science, already successful efforts by our county air quality office to mitigate air quality problems, and what sort of air quality problems may emerge in the coming decade as Charlotte grows. Sustain Charlotte is a community partner of the Keeping Watch Alliance! For more information, click here. 

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* April 21 - 2016 Sustain Charlotte Awards *

5:30pm - 8:30pm @ LaCa Projects Gallery, 1429 Bryant Street, Charlotte 28208. Please join us for an inspiring, informative, and exciting evening on Earth Day eve to celebrate our region's most outstanding sustainability leaders! Click here to learn more.

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May 1 - Open Streets 704

11:00am - 4:00pm. Open Streets 704 is a series of four Charlotte events made possible by a grant from the Knight Foundation. Open Streets 704 will literally open a length of city streets for an afternoon just for people! Taking cues from similar events around the country and the world, Open Streets 704 aims to build a better, healthier, connected community by encouraging Charlotte and Mecklenburg area residents to walk, bicycle, and experience the city together in a way that’s just not possible in a car. This event will stretch from the NoDa neighborhood down North Davidson Street to Memorial Stadium at Seventh and Kings Drive. Family-friendly and FREE to all. Sustain Charlotte is a community partner for this event! Click here to learn more.

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We're proud to announce that Javesca Coffee has joined the Sustain Charlotte Partner Network at the Bronze level! At Javesca, they "strive to end hunger by making a great cup of coffee do something extraordinary". We are proud to have their support of our mission and your community!

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MANY THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS