Last night, Sustain Charlotte Director of Engagement and Impact Meg Fencil addressed the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners at its first budget hearing to receive resident input on planning for the county manager's fiscal year 2024 budget. The county is also in the process of completing the next five-year Capital Improvement Plan, a program that funds a range of projects, including creating new community resource centers, updating county facilities, and expanding our park and greenway system. 

Both the annual budget and the Capital Improvement Plan will be up for discussion at the County Commission’s budget retreat on Jan. 24, so we're speaking up now for continued funding to support a vibrant, healthy, and equitable community for all. 

In 2023, Sustain Charlotte resolves to work for an expanded greenway network, dependable public transit, equitable community involvement and more! (Photo: Charlotte Area Transit System)

In 2023, what would it look like to collectively aspire to a better future for our community? Here are the big-ticket items Sustain Charlotte resolves to continue working for in the new year -- and we're committed to making it easy for members of the community to do so, too. Won’t you join us in supporting a better way forward for our climate, health and equity? 

On Thursday evening, several dozen community members gathered for Sustain Charlotte’s Impact 704 Academy's third and final session of 2022 to discuss local land-use challenges. This series of education and engagement programs focused on sustainable, equitable, and resilient urban development in the Charlotte area. 

At the beginning of December, Sustain Charlotte joined eight local organizations in signing a letter organized by the Southern Environmental Law Center urging North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and state Department of Transportation leadership to prioritize transportation investments that reduce single-occupancy driving rather than building and expanding highways. 

At Monday night’s City Council strategy meeting, City Manager Marcus Jones and Ed McKinney with Charlotte Department of Transportation updated Council members on plans to implement the Strategic Mobility Plan. 

During this season of giving, we invite you to consider the powerful gift of investing in a sustainable future. Sustain Charlotte is ready, willing, and equipped to continue effecting meaningful change with YOUR help. We have many options for you to donate your time, energy, and money to contribute to achieving a healthy, equitable, and vibrant community for generations to come.

Check out the ways you can give now! 

We believe that greenways, parks, and nature preserves are fundamental to a healthy, vibrant, equitable community. That’s why we spent 2022 advocating for Mecklenburg County to create more of them.

On Sunday, Nov. 20, the city of Charlotte placed 205 pairs of shoes in First Ward Park as a visual display of the number of people killed in wrecks and traffic violence from 2019-2021. Sustain Charlotte participated in the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, and staff member Lauren Sawyers shares a personal story about why the day matters to her family.

More than 50 people gathered for Sustain Charlotte’s second Impact 704 Academy session Thursday night to learn about transportation challenges — and plans — in Mecklenburg County. Attendees heard from experts at the Charlotte Area Transit System and the Charlotte Department of Transportation and listened to a panel discussion featuring local transportation advocates.

More than 600 people signed up for Sustain Charlotte's Biketoberfest this year — and we had a blast riding with everyone through the Queen City on Oct. 30!