Volunteer at our August 9 Mayoral Forum on Sustainability in CLT!

WHEN: Wednesday, August 9, 5:00pm - 7:30pm.
WHERE: UNC Charlotte - Center City Building, 320 E 9th St, Charlotte, NC 28202.

We are in need of several volunteers to help with check-in + logistics. Reply to this email if interested!

Provide your input on the Metropolitan Transit Draft Project List!

The Metropolitan Transportation Plan defines the policies, programs and projects to be implemented over the next 25 years in order to reduce congestion, improve safety, support land use plans, and provide mobility choices in the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO) planning area.

Charlotte Will Run Out of Real Estate to Develop by 2030 [Charlotte Agenda]

"Yes, Charlotte/Mecklenburg County might get tapped out in the next decade — but sprawl will continue on from there. Fast forward another three decades, and urbanists are expecting one big mega-city from Atlanta all the way up the I-85 corridor to Raleigh by 2060." This is why we support parks, greenways, bike and pedestrian infrastructure, transit, and smart growth! The Charlotte region has one chance to get this right.

Parking Rules Raise Your Rent [Grist]

"Underground parking. In most cities and in most soil conditions, the giant holes are only there to satisfy off-street parking rules, and to do that, you need a deep, deep hole. Digging these holes is astronomically expensive... Such costs are one reason housing is so expensive nowadays." Charlotte should eliminate minimum parking requirements as one way to reduce housing costs!

Pop-Up Bike Network Leads to Permanent Change [NextCity] 

"The Macon Connects pop-up bike lane experiment was a success. Not only did it show that people would bike if they had dedicated cycling lanes, the city is now finalizing plans to install a permanent bike lane downtown with more potentially on the horizon." Read this article and be inspired! A pop-up protected bike lane event led to BIG changes in Macon, GA and it can in Charlotte, too!

Why Indirect Emissions Matter and How Your Company Can Reduce Them [RideAmigos]

"Current estimates show that transportation is responsible for a staggering 20 to 27 percent of all GHG emissions in the United States. Obviously, businesses have a key role to play when it comes to reducing these emission levels, and one of the most direct ways to address the issue is to encourage smarter, more ecologically responsible modes of commuting." Encourage sustainable commuting at YOUR place of work by joining our free Way2Go CLT challenge! Visit myway2goclt.org to form a company team today!

* August 9: Mayoral Forum hosted by Sustain Charlotte + UNC Charlotte's Integrated Network for Social Sustainability (INSS): In lieu of our traditional Monthly Mixer in August, we will be co-hosting a mayoral forum focused on sustainability issues in Charlotte! 

Join us from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m to learn where our 2017 mayoral candidates stand on important issues shaping the future of Charlotte. You'll hear about each of our candidate's opinions and plans for the city, prompted by questions from INSS faculty and Sustain Charlotte staff. Then, you'll have the chance to ask YOUR questions! 

July 31: Attend the Town of Matthews Project Update Meeting on the E. John Street Widening Project. A formal presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m. Matthews Town Hall, 232 Matthews Station Street, in Matthews. Sign the petition created by Matthews residents to oppose the widening of John Street through their downtown!

August 6: Join us at Front Porch Sundays! We'll be leading two Sunday South End Spin rides (12pm and 2pm). Plus, you can check out the many local vendors from 1-5pm!

August 12: It's never too early to Learn to Ride a two-wheeler, or help others learn by volunteering!

August 19: The 10th Annual Hummingbird Festival will celebrate the migration of hummingbirds through the area and nature itself.  Both educational and inspiring, the festival attracts over 1,500 attendees and offers numerous activities from informative exhibits, banding demonstrations, musical entertainment, to children’s storytelling. 

September 29 & 30: Sustain Charlotte has partnered with Carolina Jubilee 2017, which means you can support two great LOCAL non-profits with your ticket purchase! This festival includes great music, good food, and is centered around bringing the Carolinas together to support local farming and community businesses. Use discount code SUSTAINCLT (case sensitive) and half of the ticket proceeds will be donated to Sustain Charlotte and the other to the Carolina Farm Trust!  

MANY THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS