|
As Charlotte’s population grows, how should city leaders balance the needs for more compact development and a healthy tree canopy?
|
|
|
|
(📷: Lauren Sawyers)
|
|
|
On Monday, Mar. 6, the City of Charlotte’s Transportation, Planning, and Development Committee met to discuss the city’s tree canopy status and upcoming projects. This is such an important matter for the health and wellness of our entire community, so we attended to take notes and share what we learned with you.
The city's current goal is 50% canopy cover by 2050. This will be a challenge, but we're hopeful that it's one we will meet.
We would like to see the city prioritize tree planting and canopy protection in neighborhoods that are currently lacking sufficient shade. We'd also like to see the city consider a replanting goal. Each of these measures would support and advance goals set forth in the Charlotte Future 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
We're encouraged by the discussion between city staff and elected officials at Monday's meeting and the possible options for achieving a healthy, robust tree canopy. Read more about the meeting here.
In support of trees for all,
Hope Wright
Advocacy Manager
|
|
|
|
Walk participants explore Irwin and Stewart Creek greenways (📷: Hope Wright)
|
|
Sustain Charlotte teams up with AARP Charlotte
Yesterday, we enjoyed a casual walk exploring west Charlotte's Irwin and Stewart Creek greenways. This free, family-friendly event was co-hosted by Sustain Charlotte and AARP Charlotte in partnership with Partners for Parks and the Carolina Thread Trail. We're working together to advocate for an equitable — and fast — expansion of Mecklenburg County's greenway network.
Learn more about this week's walk and other ways to get involved with the efforts of Sustain Charlotte and their Growing our Greenway partners to expand our greenway network.
Our next opportunity to learn about how greenways are built and how a complete network would benefit people of all ages and abilities is coming up on April 22 -- Earth Day!
|
|
|
|
Friends gather for fun and sustainability board games at Divine Barrel Brewing (📷: Hope Wright)
|
|
Game night success
Thanks to all the folks who came out for our Sustainability Game Night this week at Divine Barrel Brewing. It was great fun to spend time with fellow Sustain Charlotte supporters, get to know new friends, and enjoy playing games together. Here's a little more about the gathering. We definitely plan to hold another game night soon. Be on the lookout for details!
|
|
|
|
Sustain Charlotte Director of Engagement and Impact Meg Fencil (📷: WBTV)
|
|
In the news
Money Inc. recently ranked Charlotte as the 20th worst city to live without a car. Sustain Charlotte Director of Engagement and Impact Meg Fencil spoke with WBTV for a segment about Charlotte's mobility challenges and real-time and near-term solutions.
The Charlotte Future 2040 Comprehensive Plan and the Strategic Mobility Plan both include designs for making the city less car-dependent.
“In the short term, we could really invest in our bus system now,” Meg said. “If we could get all of the non-express bus routes running every 15 minutes or less, that could make a huge difference in connecting people to jobs and other opportunities at a fairly low cost.”
Watch the WBTV segment.
|
|
Thank you, AARP and Community Room Rental!
We are so grateful to AARP for renewing their annual partnership in our corporate partner network as a Gold Partner! This is their third year as a Sustain Charlotte Partner and we couldn’t be happier to have them in our network. AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age.
|
|
Our sincerest thanks also go out to Community Room Rental, who recently renewed their Gold corporate partnership with Sustain Charlotte! Community Room Rental offers a modern alternative to traditional apartments and housing rentals, where living space is efficient, inclusive, and sustainable.
Businesses that join our partner network are committing to support our efforts towards 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!
|
|
|
|
(📷: Dashiell Coleman)
|
|
Here's how you can get involved
Get up to speed on microtransit. Next week, CATS will host in-person and virtual public meetings to gather public input on the upcoming microtransit initiative. Microtransit is an on-demand, ride-sharing service that provides curb-to-curb trips within select zones, as well as on-demand connections to area hubs, like Park and Rides. The Envision My Ride: Bus Priority Study plan, recently adopted by the Metropolitan Transit Commission, incorporates multiple microtransit zones, including zones serving the towns of Huntersville, Davidson and Cornelius. If you live in or frequently travel to one of these areas, or are simply interested in learning more about microtranist, consider participating in one of these public meetings: Thursday, Mar. 16 from 6-8 p.m. at Cornelius Town Hall (21445 Catawba Ave.), and virtually via CATS YouTube on Wednesday, Mar. 15 at 11:30 a.m.
Speak up for parks and greenways. The Mecklenburg County Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is a branch of the County Manager's Office tasked with the research, informational services, and process design related to the development and implementation of the Mecklenburg County budget. The OMB is looking for input from members of the community. Consider attending a workshop and make your voice heard to advocate for a budget that will allow the county to build 10 miles of greenways per year! Learn more and weigh in.
Get to know Community Area Planning. How much do you know about Community Area Planning? This important next step in the Charlotte Future 2040 Comprehensive Plan has begun and you're invited to get involved. Check out this map to determine the area that corresponds with your home's location.
Share your stories. Share your experiences with transportation in your community. A research team from UNC Charlotte is seeking individuals living in East Charlotte to participate in a 60-minute interview about how they experience transportation in their community. They are especially interested in speaking with people whose primary mode of transportation is transit, cycling, and/or walking, but all East Charlotte residents are welcome to participate (must be 18 years of age or older). Participants will receive a $50 Visa gift card in appreciation of their time. Please consider sharing your stories and perspective to help inform policies affecting Charlotte communities. If you would be interested in participating in an interview, or for more details about the research study, please contact the research team by email at urbanmobility@uncc.edu or by phone/text at 704-900-1962.
|
|
|
As a nonprofit, we rely on support from our community. If you find value in this free weekly newsletter, please consider becoming a member or making a one-time donation. It will help us continue keeping you informed through the newsletter, social media and the timely weekly articles we publish for everyone. More broadly, your support will help us continue our mission of making Charlotte healthier, more equitable and vibrant for all.
|
|
|
|
|
