Sustain Charlotte

Fortunately, there is a smarter way to grow. Smart growth means building urban, suburban and rural communities with housing and transportation choices near jobs, shops and schools. This approach supports local economies, protects the environment, and furthers opportunities for all. See our list of our top goals for 2020 here:

https://www.sustaincharlotte.org/2020_goals

To achieve our goals we focus on three key strategies:

Educate – We educate the public about the value to our community of sustainability and how it is achieved, including the best ideas and practices from other cities around the country.

Engage – We provide opportunities for increased public engagement in the discussions and decisions that determine our future's sustainability.

Unite – We unite citizens, businesses, nonprofits, public agencies and academic institutions to develop shared visions, goals, and strategies for a sustainable region.

Our staff and board of directors are highly qualified to help us achieve our goals. Read about them here:

https://www.sustaincharlotte.org/staff
https://www.sustaincharlotte.org/board_of_directors

We also have a growing and diverse group of more than 600 individual and institutional donors. Please download our most recent audited financial statements for more details.

See a list of our 2019 accomplishments here:

https://www.sustaincharlotte.org/2019accomplishments

And our 2018 accomplishments here:

https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/transportationalliance/pages/907/attachments/original/1545071239/2018_Accomplishments.pdf?1545071239

Here are some accomplishments prior to 2018:

• Secured Charlotte City Council and Mecklenburg County Commission approval of funding to create the first-ever Sustainability Plan for the seven communities of Mecklenburg after more than a year of education and advocacy, including a presentation on best practices from other cities.

• Researched and published a comprehensive report on the social, environmental, and economic benefits of streetcar systems, helping secure City Council approval of funding needed to continue construction of the CityLynx Gold Line (also known as the streetcar).

• Researched and published a comprehensive report on the social, environmental, and economic health of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County (2014 Sustainability Report Card) by collecting and analyzing the trends for 57 sustainability metrics. Included 94 recommendations for improvement as well.

• Recognized and honored over 500 local individuals and organizations at our Annual Community Sustainability Awards event since 2012.

• Created and manage the Transportation Choices Alliance to improve traffic, air quality, public health, mobility, and the economy through the promotion of more transportation choices. More than 30 organizations comprise the alliance.

• Assisted seventeen Charlotte neighborhood organizations with the creation and implementation of local sustainability plans.

• As a member of the public engagement team for Connect Our Future, organized 14 workshops that engaged over 400 youth across our 14 county region in conversations about how our region should accommodate the two million more residents we are expected to attract by 2050 -- without losing the things that make our region livable.

• Survey all candidates for Charlotte Mayor and City Council on the issues that impact our sustainability and provide their answers to the public to help voters make more informed choices.

• Educated thousands of local residents about the challenges and solutions to our sustainability through over 250 weekly e-newsletters, over 300 of media stories or interviews about our work, and over 250 presentations, speeches, workshops, panel discussions, and other events.