Stories

Our planet is an amazing place and we need to help it thrive. Each year on April 22nd, more than a billion people celebrate Earth Day to take action to help protect our planet from pollution, plant trees or clean up rivers.

Here locally there are many nonprofits who are working tirelessly to help protect our community and create a sustainable future for Charlotte.

Here is a list of Earth Day events (events can be on Earth Day or around Earth Day)

• Anne Springs Close Greenway - a 2100 acre nature preserve is hosting Earth Day Celebration Horseback rides - click here for more details.
• Changed Choices  - helps women who have experienced incarceration lead restored lives, you can help them keep their grounds clean with yard work- click here for more details.
• Envision Charlotte - you can help build sound panels out of old t-shirts at their Innovation Barn - click here for more details.
• North Carolina Wildlife Federation - is hosting a Earth Day invasive plant removal - click here for more details.
• Supportive Housing Communities - they help to alleviate homelessness at their McCreesh Place facility and they help with a Game Day celebration with their residents. - click here for more details. 
• Sustain Charlotte - is dedicated to educating, engaging and uniting citizens to solve Charlotte’s sustainability challenges, join them for Earth Day Walk and Stream Clean up - click here for more details.
• Trees Charlotte - is hosting TreeFest at Noda Brewing - click here for more details.
• Wing Haven - A natural habitat for birds and wildlife in Myers Park is providing free admission on Earth Day - click here for more details.

Here is a list of Environmental nonprofits you can learn more about or volunteer with:

• 100 Gardens - creates aquaponics gardening programs in schools, institutions, and communities of need.
• Anne Springs Close Greenway - is a  nature preserve that allows individuals in the Greater Charlotte region to engage in conservation through educational, recreational events and programs.
• Carolina Raptor Center - ignites imaginations and inspires engagement in the natural world through the exploration and rehabilitation of birds of prey.
• Catawba Lands Conservancy and Carolina Thread Trail- they are saving land and connecting lives to nature.
• Catawba RiverKeeper Foundation -  educates and advocates to protect the lakes, rivers and streams of the Catawba-Wateree River basin
• CleanAIRE NC - advocates for the health of all North Carolinians by pursuing equitable and collaborative solutions that address climate change and air pollution.
• Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens - the garden's mission is to create an inspiring, experience that will instill a love of nature and its beauty.
• North Carolina Wildlife Federation - helps to  protect, conserve and restore North Carolina wildlife and habitat.
• Out Teach - works one-on-one with teachers to ensure that every student has access to engaging, hands-on, outdoor science activities.
• Sol Nation - Sol Nation is the place where environmental justice and social justice intersect creating a new home for climate justice.
• Surfrider Foundation - Charlotte Chapter - they are  dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s ocean, waves and beaches through a powerful activist network.
• Sustain Charlotte - dedicated to educating, engaging and uniting citizens to solve Charlotte’s sustainability challenges
• Trees Charlotte - is working to grow, diversify and steward the city’s iconic tree canopy.
• Upcycle Arts - aims to collaborate with Charlotte manufacturers, businesses, and individuals to divert their materials from the landfill. Instead, those materials will be made available to the community for use in new ways such as mixed media arts.
• UNC Botanical Gardens -  inspire a love for plants and nature through programming, classes, and botanical displays