Sustain Charlotte

SUSTAIN

CHARLOTTE www.sustaincharlotte.org

...because our decisions today determine our quality of life tomorrow.

ABOUT US A CATALYST FOR CHANGE

Sustain Charlotte is a nonprofit organization helping to advance a region-wide sustainability movement by serving as a catalyst for change. Our mission is to inspire, inform, and facilitate a holistic and collaborative approach to building a vibrant and sustainable future for the entire Charlotte metropolitan region.

THE NEED FOR A NEW ORGANIZATION

The Charlotte region lags behind other metro areas in terms of sustainability, nor is there any one entity taking a long-term, regional perspective or leadership role in this important area. Sustain Charlotte was formed in January 2010 to fill this void.

OUR APPROACH

To achieve our mission we focus on three key strategies: ENGA G

TE NI

EDUCATE

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.

E

U

ENGAGE We provide opportunities for increased public engagement in

the discussions and decisions that determine our future’s sustainability.

1 • ABOUT US

UNITE We unite citizens, businesses, nonprofits, public agencies and

academic institutions to develop shared visions, goals, and strategies for a sustainable region.

OUR VISION

A region in which everyone has the knowledge, resources and opportunity to make decisions with a clear awareness of their combined social, economic and environmental impacts.

OUR LOGO

The three interwoven bands of color in our logo represent the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of sustainability and how they must be in balance to create the whole.

SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. Sustainability in an urban context recognizes that long-term economic vitality, environmental health, and social cohesion are interdependent: the health of one determines the health of all. An enduring economy depends on the sustainable use of natural resources. The sustainable use of natural resources depends on a strong social fabric of informed citizens, businesses and community leaders. And, a vibrant society depends on a strong and resilient economy.

Ultimately then, all efforts to lessen impacts to the natural environment and ensure a robust economy are efforts to secure a high quality of life for the community – that is, the people of the Charlotte region.

ABOUT US • 2

INITIATIVES We have programs at the school, neighborhood, city, and regional scales. If you would like to help support any of these programs to further our positive impact, please contact us at info@sustaincharlotte.org or call us at 704.338.2610.

EARLY 2011

NOVEMBER 2010

SUSTAINABLE REGION

On November 1, 2010, Sustain Charlotte launched Charlotte 2030: A Sustainable Vision for Our Region. This first-of-itskind vision for our region’s future is the product of countless volunteer hours, and the engagement of more than 100 local citizens and experts from many disciplines using a collaborative and consensus-based process, drawn from government, the nonprofit and private sectors, and academia. We are now working hard to turn this vision into a reality and urging the City of Charlotte to adopt a Sustainability Plan that translates this vision into actionable goals.

Details of the public launch, including those who expressed their support, can be found on our website, www.sustaincharlotte.org.

We partnered with the Centralina Council of Governments as a key member of the Connect Our Future project, which is a process to engage citizens across our 14-county region to develop a regional growth framework, given that our region’s population is expected to double within 40 years. Our role has been to help devise strategies for effectively engaging citizens of all backgrounds across our region, especially

3 • INITIATIVES

under-represented community members and youth.

If you are affiliated with a school or work with a youth group of any kind, please let us know; we’d love to engage your youth in this project!

SUSTAINABLE NEIGHBORHOODS

JANUARY 2012

We launched a partnership with Charlotte Neighborhood and Business Services to provide sustainability education to residents in motivated neighborhoods across the city, and empower them to set measurable sustainability goals for their communities, based on their interests and needs. We then suggested strategies and resources to help them achieve these goals, and compiled this information into Sustainable Vision Plans for each neighborhood. Goals varied by neighborhood but included reducing household energy use, improving access to healthy food, and reducing the amount of waste going to the landfill.

More information about the 11 neighborhoods that we partnered with is available online.

SUSTAINABLE CITY

APRIL 2012

City Council member John Autry invited us to give a presentation to City Council’s Environment Committee on how similar cities to ours have developed Sustainability Plans, and our recommendations for how the city should proceed. Shortly after our presentation, the city and county decided they would explore the development of a joint Sustainability Plan for Charlotte-Mecklenburg, and have hired an outside consultant

INITIATIVES • 4

to provide recommendations for how they should do this, which will be presented to the Charlotte Environment Committee in November.

SEPTEMBER 2012

SUSTAINABLE SCHOOLS

We launched a partnership with Mountain Island Elementary to help them become a certified Eco-School. Eco-Schools is an internationally acclaimed program that provides a framework to help educators integrate sustainable principles throughout their schools and curriculum. The program strives to model environmentally sound practices, provide support for greening the curriculum and enhance science and academic achievement. Additionally, it works to foster a greater sense of environmental stewardship among youth. Schools who have participated in the program have found that it: • • • • • • • •

Improves academic performance, especially in science and math Leads to financial savings for schools Decreases the school’s carbon footprint through practical solutions that reduce energy and water consumption Reduces school waste and conserves natural resources Encourages student environmental awareness and stewardship Increases parental involvement Helps students and teachers develop stronger relationships with their communities Develops national and international links

5 • INITIATIVES

INITIATIVES • 6

REPORT CARD WHERE CHARLOTTE RANKS

In 2011 the Siemens corporation issued an environmental report card on the 27 most-populous cities in the US and Canada. The study assessed and compared each city’s performance using 9 categories using 31 indicators/measures. Here’s how Charlotte ranked*:

TRANSPORTATION

25TH

BUILDINGS

25TH

7 • REPORT CARD

ENERGY

21ST

WASTE

20TH

CARBON EMISSIONS

18TH AIR

16TH

ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE

11TH

OVERALL RANKING*

LAND USE

9TH

WATER

9TH

20/27

*According to 2011 Siemens study.

BACKGROUND INDICATORS

Population: 700,000 Administrative area (miles) 242 GDP per person (US $)

57,000

Temperature (24-hour average, annual) (° F)

61

Goods employment (%) 14 Services employment (%) 86 (source: http://www.siemens.com/press/pool/de/events/2011/corporate/2011-06-northamerican/northamerican-gci-report-e.pdf)

REPORT CARD• 8

SUPPORT As a community-based non-profit organization, Sustain Charlotte relies upon contributions from an array of individuals and organizations in the form of donations, sponsorships, partnerships and volunteers like you for the resources to continue inspiring, informing, and facilitating sustainable development in our community.

BECOME A MEMBER

Your membership and tax-deductible donation ensures we can continue: • • •

Providing critical information and opportunities for greater and more diverse citizen engagement in the decisions that shape our region’s long-term sustainability.

Building government, business, and citizen support for public policies and best practices that further social equity, sustainable use of our natural resources, and economic prosperity for all.

Promoting and facilitating collaboration between Charlotte’s government, business, nonprofit, and academic leaders to work together towards Charlotte 2030 – the regional sustainability vision we launched in 2010.

Member Benefits: • •

Be recognized as a member on our website.

Stay up-to-date on local sustainability news, events, and opportunities to Make a Difference through our monthly e-newsletter.

9 • SUPPORT

• •

Receive member discounts on admission to our events plus invitations to member only events.

Save on taxes by being able to deduct the amount of your donation to Sustain Charlotte, a registered 501(c)3 charitable organization.

MEMBERSHIP LEVELS $35 FRIEND $50 ADVOCATE

$100 CHAMPION $250 PATRON

$500 SUSTAINER $1000 PARTNER

Please choose the membership level that is right for you. Donations can be made through our website www.sustaincharlotte.org, or by check. Please make your check payable to Sustain Charlotte and mail to:

Sustain Charlotte | 1413 Briar Creek Rd | Charlotte, NC 28205 OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

ORGANIZATIONAL PARTNERS Partnerships provide an effective means for organizations to deepen their relationships with the community and demonstrate their commitment to a sustainable future for our region. Please contact us if you are interested in partnership opportunities.

IN-KIND DONATIONS We welcome in-kind donations of services and products from other organizations that are in alignment with our strategic policy and programming efforts.

VOLUNTEER The type of volunteers we need changes frequently.

Please complete our online application form if you are interested in volunteering and our Volunteer Coordinator will be in touch with you.

SUPPORT • 10

11 • SURVEY RESULTS

SURVEY RESULTS 100% tain Charlotte

agreed that Sus-

brings people and organizations together to work towards sustainability solutions collaboratively.

hood organizations to develop sustainability plans.

99%

would like us to continue or increase educating elected officials agreed that Sus- on sustainability and working to tain Charlotte effect public policy changes. is focusing on the big picture and agreed that the myriad issues that interact to more citizen determine our sustainability as a awareness and understanding of community. sustainability was needed, and agreed that 70% felt it was strongly needed.

Sustain Charlotte agreed that more is having a positive impact in our citizen engagecommunity. ment in the public policymaking agreed that process was needed, and 57% felt Sustain Charlotte it was strongly needed. has increased their personal agreed that understanding of sustainability. more leadwould like to us ership by elected officials was to continue or needed, and 65% felt it was increase our work with neighbor- strongly needed.

100%

94%

86% 96%

100% 98%

100%

SURVEY RESULTS • 12

ACCOMPLISHMENTS COMMUNITY EDUCATION & ENGAGEMENT

• • • • •

Educated and engaged an estimated 5,000 citizens on sustainability issues through events and presentations (not including those reached by media coverage).

Over 2,000 citizens have subscribed to our email list or social media feeds and are being educated on local sustainability issues continuously via these communication channels.

Engaged nearly 100 local organizations to develop a regional sustainability vision.

Invited to speak at more than 40 local events and meetings.

Invited to promote Sustain Charlotte at more than 25 events.

ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• • • • • •

Incorporated in the state of NC and obtained federal 501c3 taxexempt status.

Formed diverse board of directors that meet monthly.

Launched a website, FaceBook page, Twitter feed, and monthly e-newsletter.

Raised $2,000 in 2010, $5,000 in 2011, $30,000 so far in 2012 and more than $100,000 in-kind to date (estimated).

Launched a membership program in December 2011 Earned the support of countless elected officials, business, nonprofit, and academic leaders.

13 • ACCOMPLISHMENTS

EVENTS

•

•

• • •

Organized and facilitated a regional visioning workshop at CPCC for over 70 citizens and community leaders from government, academia, nonprofit, and private sectors.

Publicly launched Charlotte 2030: A Sustainable Vision for Our Region with Mayor Foxx, 2 county commissioners, and 5 business, academic, and nonprofit leaders at ‘The Square’ (Trade and Tryon) uptown.

Organized the First Annual Community Sustainability Awards on March 31, 2012 and recognized over 50 local sustainability leaders for their efforts.

Organized public screenings of numerous documentaries in partnership with other local nonprofits to raise awareness of key sustainability issues and opportunities.

Organized a panel discussion on transportation and land use in the Charlotte region.

MEDIA

•

Quoted or featured in various print, broadcast, and online local media more than 30 times including three appearances as the guest on Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins and two appearances as the guest on the Francene Morris Show.

PUBLICATIONS

•

Charlotte 2030: A Sustainable Vision for Our Region ACCOMPLISHMENTS • 14

TAKE ACTION NOW!

Send an email to info@sustaincharlotte.org or visit us at www.sustaincharlotte.org.

Sustain Charlotte | 1413 Briar Creek Rd | Charlotte, NC 28205 After enjoying this brochure, please share it with a friend or recycle it.