On March 3rd, join Sustain Charlotte, New York City-based research and policy nonprofit TransitCenter, and local city leaders including Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts for a special event! This is your chance to find the answers to these questions and more in a fun, engaging, and informal atmosphere! 

Complimentary heavy appetizers will be provided. Additional eats and a cash bar will be available onsite for purchase. Click here to learn more and RSVP!

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We urged City Council to approve proposed bicycle and pedestrian studies on Monday -- and they did!

It's no secret that Charlotte's transportation network is primarily built for cars, not for people on bikes or on foot. But that's been changing in recent years as Charlotte Department of Transportation has taken an approach that considered the needs of not only auto drivers, but also those who cannot or choose not drive.

Monday night's unanimous City Council support for a $250,000 study of at least three high-traffic urban streets, was a big win for the city's future! Click here to learn which streets will be studied for ways to make them more bicycle and pedestrian friendly.

Sustain Charlotte's Meg Fencil addressing City Council Monday night.

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Less than three weeks left to submit your nominations!

This is your chance to show your support and gratitude for our local organizations and individuals who have worked hard to advance our region's sustainability! All nominees will be announced in mid-March. We will recognize all winners at the 2016 Sustain Charlotte Awards on April 22. 

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New Evidence That Protected Bike Lanes Get People Cycling More [Streets Blog Network]

"Cities making the most progress on protected bike lanes are seeing bicycling rates go up. But at the scale of a specific street with a new protected lane, it’s hard to know how much of the increase in bike counts is due to cyclists moving over from nearby streets, and how much is due to people biking the route for the first time thanks to safer conditions...a recent survey that sheds light on the question." On a street that added protected lanes in Toronto, 38% of current cyclists in that lane didn't ride a bicycle for the same (or similar) trip before the lane was there! We want everyone in Charlotte to be able to safely travel car-free if they wish, regardless of age or ability.

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Letters to the Editor: Bikes Can be an Equalizer for the Poor [Charlotte Observer]

In response to “Advocates for poor worry over food stamp change” (Jan. 31), Pamela Murray, founder of Charlotte Spokes People, writes: "A community activist quoted in this article explains that some people 'can’t work odd-hour shifts because of public transportation schedules.' It is a reality that lack of access to transportation contributes to poverty...Bicycles are a cheap and healthy means of transportation for all." We absolutely agree with Pamela that bikes can be an equalizer for the poor!

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Developers Look to Urban Areas, Not Suburbs, for Growth [Charlotte Observer]

"The suburbs aren’t dying, but real estate experts say they expect the bulk of new development will focus on urban areas in the coming years...Demographic factors, especially a shift toward renting and a reduction in how far Americans are willing to drive, are powering the trend." We're thrilled to see that consumer demand is shifting and walkable urban use is no longer a niche market. Walkable urban development is sustainable land use and it's becoming more prominent in Charlotte!

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Could all Charlotte Schools Really Run on Just Solar Power? [CharlotteFive]

"Imagine every Charlotte-Mecklenburg School running on solar power. Is it even possible? Repower Our Schools says yes. Repower Our Schools, a coalition of parents, teachers and students, formed a year ago and commissioned a study of solar power at CMS and Durham’s public schools by the Clean Energy Technology Center at N.C. State University. The results were announced at an event uptown Wednesday." Read what the study found. We love what Repower Our Schools is doing to inspire sustainable energy production and are proud to be an official supporter!

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February 13 - Fairy House Festival

10:00am - 4:00pm @ Latta Plantation Nature Preserve, 5225 Sample Rd, Huntersville, NC. This is a festival that everyone can enjoy and building fairy houses reconnects people with nature. Come to the annual festival that will inspire appreciation of the environment with storytelling, children’s crafts, activities, and games - all focused on fairies and nature! This event is free and open to the public. Click here for more information.

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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.

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* 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.

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* March 3 -  The Future of Transportation is YOU! *

5:30 - 8:00pm @ Sugar Creek Brewing Co, 215 Southside Dr, Charlotte, NC. Click here for more information. What are the three key ingredients needed to accelerate transportation innovation in cities? Which of them are needed in Charlotte and what role do YOU play? Join Sustain Charlotte, New York City-based research and policy nonprofit TransitCenter, and local city leaders including Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts to find the answers to these questions and more in a fun, engaging, and informal atmosphere! Complimentary appetizers will be provided. Additional eats and a cash bar will be available onsite for purchase. Click here to learn more and RSVP!

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March 4: Particle Falls Grand Opening

6:30 - 9:00pm @ 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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MANY THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS