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 volunteer opportunities and Earth Day events:

• Anne Springs Close Greenway - a 2100 acre nature preserve is hosting a Volunteer Blitz on 4/13 to get ready for their Earth Day Celebration, projects include painting, building and cleaning.
  • Then join them for their Earth Day Celebration  (April 19-21) where you can experience kayaking, archery, horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking and more!
• CleanAIRE NC  &  Sol Nation - advocate for the health of all North Carolinians by pursuing equitable and collaborative solutions that address climate change and air pollution. 
  • Join them for their third  Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, 4/20 between 12-4pm at the Charlotte Museum of History.  Bring your family and friends to earn your Earth Passport by traveling through the 4 knowledge stations with exciting engagement opportunities.
• Sustain Charlotte - is dedicated to educating, engaging and uniting citizens to solve Charlotte’s sustainability challenges, join them for Earth Day Stream Clean up on Saturday, 4/13 between 10am-1pm.
  • Join them for their 12th Annual Sustain Charlotte Earth Day Awards on 4/24 which highlights the achievements of local sustainability leaders and the issues that shape the sustainability of our region.
• Trees Charlotte - actively plants and gives away trees to ensure the continued health and well-being of Charlotte’s tree canopy and to account for on-going growth in our city.  You can volunteer to help them plant trees at a variety of tree planting events April 4-11th.
  • Join them for their 2nd Annual TreeFest on Saturday, 4/27 between 1-5pm at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery.
• Wing Haven - A natural habitat for birds and wildlife in Myers Park is providing free admission on Earth Day - click here for more details.
• North Carolina Wildlife Federation - Saturday April 20th, Monroe Litter Sweep with Union County Wildlife Chapter

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.
• Envision Charlotte - leads Charlotte’s progress to a circular economy through innovations that strengthen economic competitiveness, environmental sustainability and positive community impacts.
• 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