Charlotte Mecklenburg Climate Leaders

Rooted & Reading Book Club Social: “The Overstory”
2026-06-25 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | Petty Thieves Brewing, 413 Dalton Ave Suite B, Charlotte, NC, 28206, United States
Join us for a relaxed book club social celebrating nature, trees, and the environment 🌿 We’ll gather to discuss eco-inspired reads, share ideas about conservation and community action, and enjoy good conversation in a welcoming, laid-back setting. Whether you’re a seasoned environmentalist or just curious about greener living, come connect with fellow readers who care about the natural world.
LEARN MORE

NC Data Center Grassroots Lobby Day
2026-06-24 09:00 - 17:00 UTC | North Carolina Legislative Building, 16 W Jones Street, Raleigh, NC, 27601, United States
All across North Carolina, communities are pushing back against the impacts of data centers. We need leadership from our state legislators on issues like high electric bills, water usage, non-disclosure agreements, toxic chemicals, air pollution, lack of jobs, surveillance, and noise pollution.
Join together with communities from across North Carolina to lobby your state senator and state representative to protect our communities from the impact of data centers!
Folks will meet throughout the day with their legislators, make it when you can.

MORE INFO HERE

Surging Demand for Data Centers - Community Impact in Mecklenburg County & NC
2026-06-23 18:30 - 20:30 UTC | Free Range Brewing, 2320 N. Davidson St., Charlotte, NC, 28205, United States
The League of Women Voters is hosting a community discussion about data centers in the Charlotte region. Their guests, Charlotte Observer journalists Catherine Muccigrosso and Caitlin McGlade, will speak about data center impact in our area. You can see their three part Charlotte Observer series here: click here
Plenty of free parking.
One free drink on us! Get your ticket when you check in.
Bring your friends and neighbors to this informative Evening with the League!
Event Partner: Charlotte Mecklenburg Climate Leaders
Event Supporters: Reimagining America Project

Wild on the Water
2026-06-13 09:00 - 13:00 UTC | Latta Nature Preserve, 6345 Sample Road, Huntersville, North Carolina, 28078
Wild on the Water, Charlotte Wildlife Stewards’ signature fundraising event, is a guided paddle of kayaks, canoes, and stand up paddleboards (SUPs) on Mountain Island Lake at Latta Nature Preserve. We paddle out to one of the many osprey platforms where a local naturalist talks about the ospreys and other wildlife, the plants, and the importance of this part of the Catawba River. Following the paddle we have a delicious lunch and a fun raffle full of valuable prizes.

REGISTER HERE

Bloom Into Action
2026-06-06 11:00 - 15:00 UTC | Nine Eighteen Nine Studio Gallery, 700 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC, 28202, United States
Bloom Into Action returns with Ladies First, a powerful celebration honoring the women of the environmental justice movement—leaders, advocates, and community builders who continue to create change in spaces that have too often been overlooked.
Like pioneer species in nature—the first to grow in damaged or disrupted environments—these women embody resilience, restoration, and transformation. They step into challenges, rebuild their communities, and create the conditions for others to grow and thrive. Their leadership reflects the heart of SOL Nation’s mission: advancing environmental justice, restoring balance, and investing in community-driven solutions.
Bloom Into Action: Ladies First is a celebration of renewal, resilience, and the women whose work continues to shape a more just and sustainable future.
Join Sol Nation for an unforgettable afternoon featuring a curated brunch buffet, live entertainment, and an inspiring awards ceremony honoring changemakers making a difference. Hosted in a stunning art gallery setting, this experience brings together culture, community, and advocacy—creating space to connect, celebrate, and take action.
Be part of the movement. Be part of the bloom. Purchase tickets here.

CMCL Climate Trivia Night
2026-05-12 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | Sugar Creek Brewing Company, 215 Southside Dr, Charlotte, NC, 28217, United States
Are you fired up about climate change? Are you looking for a place to connect with other climate-minded people? Most importantly, do you like trivia and prizes?! Join Charlotte Mecklenburg Climate Leaders (CMCL) for an evening of eco trivia, camaraderie, and a lively raffle. Raffle tickets are $5 each and the first 20 people to register will receive a FREE raffle ticket! Registration link coming soon.

Parking is limited. Attendees are encouraged to take the Blue Line light rail to the Scaleybark station and walk to the brewery or take buses 12 or 16 to nearby stops on South Tryon and South Boulevard.

Climate Reality Flagship US Training
2026-05-01 00:00 - 2026-05-02 23:59 UTC
For 20 years, Climate Reality and former Vice President Al Gore have been training leaders from all walks of life to stand up and make a difference on climate. Now it’s your turn. Become part of the Climate Reality Leadership Corps by joining us in Nashville, TN this May for a special 20th anniversary Flagship US Training – a powerful next step for leaders ready to meet this moment. You see the climate changing. You’re ready to do something about it. Now, learn how. Apply today.

NC Utilities Commission Hearing
2026-04-29 19:00 - 20:30 UTC | Mecklenburg County Courthouse, 832 East Fourth Street, Charlotte, NC, United States
The Carbon Plan should be an opportunity to reshape NC’s energy future and protect community health. That means no new fossil fuel infrastructure or power plants. Unfortunately, the draft Carbon Plan proposed by Duke Energy fails to meet the moment, calling for more investments in polluting, outdated fossil fuels. Continuing to rely on gas and coal would put our state’s climate targets out of reach while pumping out air pollutants that jeopardize our health and make us sick.
With guidance from CleanAIRE NC, we are speaking up at hearings and submitting public comments.
Learn more about the NC Carbon Plan and see other key public hearing dates on CleanAIRE NC’s dedicated webpage.

Elizabeth 8k Road Race
2026-04-26 08:00 - 10:30 UTC
ELIZABETH 8K is a family-friendly event with a competitive course hosted in Charlotte, NC. Taking place each Spring and welcoming over 1,300 runners to one of the city’s oldest and most beautiful neighborhoods, the Elizabeth 8K has been a Charlotte favorite for almost 4 decades. The race starts and finishes just off of Elizabeth Avenue with the majority of the route weaving its way through the historic, tree-lined streets. Participants have several events to choose from.
Proceeds benefit the beautification of the Elizabeth neighborhood, and TreesCharlotte, a public/private nonprofit collaboration to grow, diversify and steward Charlotte’s iconic urban forest.

TreeFest
2026-04-25 14:00 - 17:00 UTC | NoDa Brewing, 2921 N Tryon St., Charlotte, NC, 28206, United States
TreeFest is back for its fourth year! TreesCharlotte invites you to this FREE, family-friendly celebration packed with trees, art, music, and hands-on fun. Celebrate Earth Month and National Arbor Day with tree-themed crafts, live music, free tree seedlings, arboriculture activities, and an eco-market featuring local, environmentally focused nonprofits and businesses. More details here.

Earth Day Stream Cleanup and Storm Drain Marking
2026-04-22 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | 715 Charlottetowne Ave
Celebrate Earth Day by supporting healthy waterways! Stream cleanups involve removing litter from the stream and surrounding areas to improve water quality and wildlife habitat! Storm Drain Marking involves driving to a secondary location and gluing a small placard to the storm drain in the area. During Storm Drain Marking, we will be using an app called Quick Capture to log the drains we mark. You can choose which activity you’d like to participate in! Register here.

2026 Carolinas Climate Summit
2026-04-16 08:30 - 16:00 UTC | Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte, 320 East 9th St, Charlotte, NC, 28202, United States
Join WFAE and climate experts, community leaders and advocates for a day-long series of sessions exploring the impact of climate change in the Carolinas and how people at every level are addressing it. Details and registration here.

Charlotte Earth Day
2026-04-11 08:30 - 15:00 UTC | Independent Picture House, 4237 Raleigh St, Charlotte, NC, 28213, United States
Charlotte’s largest annual Earth Day celebration brings together community members to celebrate our environment, engage families with fun educational activities, foster lifelong connections with nature, and connect attendees with environmentally conscious organizations and businesses from the Charlotte area. This year with Carolina Farm Trust Food Truck and two short environmental awareness films!

NC commission seeks public comments on polluter-written PFAS rules
2026-04-09 18:00 - 19:30 UTC | Catawba County St. Stephens Branch Library
Proposed polluter-written rules regarding PFAS and 1,4-dioxane do not require polluters to reduce their toxic discharges into drinking water supplies. The rules proposed by the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission impose no consequences even if polluters increase their toxic pollution. The public can submit comments on these proposed rules by email at publiccomments@deq.nc.gov and at this in-person hearing. Details here.

Charlotte Forever Chemicals Film Screening
2026-04-07 18:30 - 20:00 UTC | Free Range Brewing, 2320 N. Davidson St., Charlotte, NC, 28205, United States
North Carolina Conservation Network (NCCN) will be hosting the screening of two documentaries within the Fear in the Water: PFAS Stories series on Tuesday, April 7th. The films highlight stories of communities that have been affected by forever chemicals and also will highlight ways that you can help fight forever chemical pollution here in NC. After the screening, we will have a panel and short Q&A with our friends from Sierra Club Charlotte. We will also be doing a free raffle of Sierra Club and NC Conservation Network merchandise! Register here.

Bird Walk at Wing Haven
2026-04-06 08:30 - 10:00 UTC | Wing Haven
Do you love nature and birds? Whether you are a novice or bird expert, you are sure to find delight in this special bird walk experience – a 60-90 minute stroll through a historic garden. The entire property is about 3 acres. Bring your binoculars! Tickets are $5. Register here.

End of Season TreeAdoption
2026-03-28 08:30 - 10:30 (America/New_York)
Learn more from TreesCharlotte.

Rooted & Reading Book Club
2026-03-26 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | Petty Thieves Brewing, 413 Dalton Ave Suite B, Charlotte, NC, 28206, United States
Make sure you have picked up a copy of Doug Tallamy’s Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard, the first selection of the TreesCharlotte bookclub. We are looking forward to thoughtful conversations, learning, and a deeper connection to the environment around us.⁠ A big THANK YOU to Petty Thieves Brewing for hosting our quarterly book club socials.

Creek Week Cleanup
2026-03-22 15:00 - 17:00 UTC | Chantilly Ecological Sanctuary
Charlotte Wildlife Stewards will participate in Charlotte Mecklenburg Storm Water Services’ annual Creek Week! We will work together to remove trash and debris in and around Briar Creek at Chantilly Ecological Sanctuary. Join us in restoring habitat by removing trash that harms wildlife here and downstream. This is a family-friendly event. Habitat stewards of today and the future are all welcome! Register here.

South Meck County TreeAdoption
2026-03-21 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York)

Discover Charlotte: Protect McCrorey Heights’ Future
2026-03-19 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | First Baptist Church WEst
Join Sustain Charlotte in McCrorey Heights for a powerful neighborhood walk led by resident volunteers who know and love their community. We’ll explore this vibrant, historic neighborhood—long home to influential Black leaders and families who have shaped Charlotte’s story. Learn more here.

NC Utilities Commission Hearing
2026-03-18 19:00 - 20:30 UTC | Mecklenburg County Courthouse, 832 East Fourth Street, Charlotte, NC, United States
The Carbon Plan should be an opportunity to reshape NC’s energy future and protect community health. That means no new fossil fuel infrastructure or power plants. Unfortunately, the draft Carbon Plan proposed by Duke Energy fails to meet the moment, calling for more investments in polluting, outdated fossil fuels. Continuing to rely on gas and coal would put our state’s climate targets out of reach while pumping out air pollutants that jeopardize our health and make us sick.
With guidance from CleanAIRE NC, we are speaking up at hearings and submitting public comments. The Charlotte public hearing will be Wednesday, March 18th at 7pm at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse.
Want to be even more involved? Our friends at League of Conservation Voters are hosting a rally before the March 18th hearing at 5:30pm behind the Courthouse. Details and RSVP here. It’s time to speak out against fossil fuels!
Learn more about the NC Carbon Plan and see other key public hearing dates on CleanAIRE NC’s dedicated webpage.

NC Carbon Plan Public Hearing
2026-03-16 18:30 - 21:30 UTC | Virtual
Attend or speak at this hearing about Duke Energy’s draft Carbon Plan. The first 20 individuals registered by 5 p.m. on March 9 will be allowed to testify at the March 16 remote public witness hearing. To help us track attendance, coordinate our efforts, and ensure we have a strong presence at hearings across the state, please fill out this quick form if you plan to attend a hearing.

The Power of Trees
2026-03-10 19:00 - 20:30 UTC | Sardis Baptist Church
As if you didn’t already love trees? Join Charlotte Wildlife Stewards and Urban Forest Educator Heather Brent for a deep dive into arboriculture and the many benefits of trees and forests. Heather will provide insights into what you can do to help our urban forest thrive and also ways to get involved with TreesCharlotte! Register here.

West Zip Codes TreeAdoption
2026-02-28 08:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York)

Documentary Night with SolNation and CMCL
2026-02-25 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | Independent Picture House, 4237 Raleigh St, Charlotte, NC, 28213, United States
Join us for a viewing of Environmental Justice is Food Sovereignty.
This documentary explores how access to healthy, affordable, and culturally relevant food is deeply connected to environmental justice, health, and community stability. Through local voices and real experiences, the film sheds light on food deserts, the quality of food available in under-resourced neighborhoods, and the barriers many families face when trying to make healthy choices. It also highlights community-led solutions, including urban farming and neighborhood organizing, that are working to reclaim food systems from the ground up.
For community members, this documentary is meant to be both affirming and empowering. It reflects lived experiences that are often overlooked, while also showing that change is possible when communities lead the way. Viewers will leave with a stronger understanding of how food access connects to larger systems like housing, health, and economic opportunity, and with renewed motivation to support and participate in efforts that build healthier, more resilient neighborhoods.
Register here.

CMCL Committee Meeting: Clean Energy & NC Carbon Plan
2026-02-24 18:00 - 19:00 UTC | Zoom
2026 Goals

Organize members to attend the NC Utilities Commission public hearing on March 18 and/or provide testimony on Duke Energy’s latest update to the NC Carbon Plan
Organize members to attend the NC Utilities Commission public hearing later in the year and/or provide testimony on Duke Energy’s proposed rate hike
Research data center expansion in North Carolina, particularly in our region, and work with statewide partners and CleanAIRE NC to determine a specific advocacy role for CMCL

Email CMCL at cmcl@cleanairenc.org if you are interested in attending this committee meeting.

NC CCL Utilities Commission Training
2026-02-18 19:30 - 20:30 UTC | Zoom
Duke Energy has submitted its most recent Carbon Plan proposal to the NC Utilities Commission, with more gas and less wind, plus rising emissions in the short term. Please register for the trainings to prepare to speak out on Duke’s Carbon plan at one of the upcoming hearings. You will be sent a Zoom link for the trainings and supporting information. Register here.

CMCL Committee Meeting: Marketing & Engagement
2026-02-18 19:00 - 20:00 UTC | Zoom
2026 Goals:

Quarterly events
Paid internship: funding and internship development
Subcommittees

Events: Billie
Development: Kristen
Youth Engagement: Manasi & Saha

Email CMCL at cmcl@cleanairenc.org if you are interested in attending this meeting.

CMCL Committee Meeting: Transportation & Land Use
2026-02-17 15:00 - 16:00 UTC | Zoom
Email CMCL at cmcl@cleanairenc.org if you are interested in attending this committee meeting.
