It's officially winter now, and there's a lot to celebrate about 2022 this holiday season.
We're thankful Charlotte opened a protected bike lane in uptown. We're thankful Mecklenburg County commissioners approved $50 million for fiscal year 2023 to buy land for parks, greenways, and nature preserves. We're thankful Charlotte City Council passed the Strategic Mobility Plan, which includes a goal of reducing the share of people driving to work alone from 76% to 50% by 2040, and the Unified Development Ordinance, which will guide how our city grows and creates the opportunity for more housing choices.
And we're thankful for YOU.
Whether you read our newsletters, step up when we ask for volunteers, help us advocate for public policies, or support us financially, know that YOUR actions humble us.
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(📷: City of Charlotte)
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There's just over a week left in our year-end fundraising campaign. Will you consider contributing to our valuable our advocacy work, educational and fun events, or this free newsletter? We plan to keep working toward major victories, like the ones listed above, in 2023.
We'll advocate for progress on the Strategic Mobility Plan and work to ensure equitable implementation of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan and the UDO.
We'll keep educating about how sustainable land use and transportation choices are essential in the fight against climate change.
We'll push for funding for 50 new miles of greenways by the end of fiscal year 2028.
And we'll advocate for an improved bus network and necessary funding for public transit and pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly infrastructure.
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Please join our efforts to achieve these goals by making a one-time, tax-deductible donation or becoming a Sustaining Member today. Your gift will have double the impact for the next $10,000 we raise, thanks to a generous donor who agreed to a dollar-for-dollar match. And if you give at least $120 or become a monthly member, you'll be entered into a raffle for a Specialized Sirrus 1.0 bike from BikeSource Charlotte or a 10-class pass to Khali Yoga Center!
Will you join us during this season of giving?
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In gratitude and in wonder of winter,
Ralph Pérez
Director of Donor Engagement
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(📷: WCNC)
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ICYMI: Our take on Charlotte's transit needs
Our Meg Fencil was on WCNC’s “Flashpoint” this past weekend to talk about our wish list for Charlotte Area Transit System
“If we don’t make sure our bus service is fast, frequent, reliable, and walkable, it’s going to be really hard for people just to get to and from jobs and other daily destinations,” Meg said. “Those are the essentials that we absolutely have to get right.”
We also want to see better bus stops, happy and safe bus and rail operators, a dedicated funding source to expand transit, and mobility solutions for people across all of Mecklenburg County.
“If buses aren’t coming every 15 minutes, then it’s really hard for people to make connections, especially if they have to transfer between routes,” Meg said. “… The incremental way that we have been investing in our transit service has not kept up with the pace of our rapidly growing population.”
Watch the full interview here.
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A quick note: We sent this newsletter a few days early because of the busy travel weekend. This will be our last full newsletter of the year. You can expect two mini-emails next week with updates on our campaign and a look back at our biggest events from 2022. In January, we'll go back to our usual once-weekly, Saturday morning schedule. Cheers!
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(📷: FD|integra)
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💡 Renewing partner spotlight: FD|integra Architecture 💡
We are elated that FD|integra Architecture renewed their annual partnership in our corporate partner network as a Bronze Partner! FD|integra is an architecture firm that's been headquartered in Charlotte since 1997 and incorporates performance, livability, and resilience into their projects. Read more about them and their work at fdintegra.com!
Businesses that join our partner network are committing to support our efforts toward a healthy, equitable, and vibrant Charlotte for generations to come.
To learn more about how your company can become a partner visit sustaincharlotte.org/partnership.
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(📷: Charlotte Area Transit System/Twitter)
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Here are a few things on on our radar
- You can ride free on a special CATS bus that's decked out in festive holiday art now through Jan. 7. If you see the bus, pictured above, hop on! The so-called holiday bus is being placed on routes across the network.
- Weigh in on North Carolina's Carbon Plan. The state needs to develop a plan by the end of the year aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions. CleanAIRE NC compiled the info you need to know and is calling on the state to make sure the plan is equitable and in the interest of residents. Learn more and sign the petition here.
- Input on Black bike ridership is being sought by Equitable Cities. The survey takes about 20 minutes and participants are eligible for gift cards. Learn more here.
- Speaking of surveys, the National Cooperative Highway Research Program is looking for insight from cyclists who use rural roads. It takes about 15 minutes. Learn more here.
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Thanks for reading!
As a nonprofit, community support is essential for us to keep doing what we do — including providing free newsletters like this. If you find value in this newsletter, please consider supporting Sustain Charlotte so we can continue advocating for a better future and working with residents, neighborhood organizations, government agencies, nonprofits, and businesses to solve the most critical challenges to Charlotte's long-term social, economic, and environmental health.
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