Charlotte: Clean and Green--An Earth Day Celebration

On April 18, 2009, Central Piedmont Community College and the Center for Sustainability hosted the second annual “Charlotte: Clean and Green—An Earth Day Celebration.” We were extremely pleased with the planning and execution of this special event, which combined the incredible partnership efforts from CPCC, the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, US Green Building Council and Charlotte Center City Partners.

A few highlights of this special event:
• CPCC’s Charlotte: Clean and Green event took place along Elizabeth Avenue and the Overcash building and lawn from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Opening remarks by County Commissioner Jennifer Roberts.
• This major event was conducted with the help of 90 partnership companies and organizations and 23 major sponsors.
• Thirty-five free environmental education classes covering everything from alternative energy to raising your own chickens, to backyard wildlife habitats, to organic gardening for kids, to making your home more energy efficient, composting, cooking, green careers and more.
• Over 70 exhibitors from “green” industries displaying the latest technological developments in farming, alternative energy, energy management, alternative fuel cars, new solar technology, green remodeling, non-profit environmental resource organizations and much more.
• Music from three local bands, three award winning documentaries as well as an environmental symposium.
• A 100% zero emissions gathering attended by an estimated 4,000 people!

Quote from Mrs. Katie Oates; County Commissioner Dan Murrey's wife: “Absolutely spectacular event. Congratulations. It was the most diverse (culturally, racially, etc.) environmental event I have ever attended in Charlotte. CPCC's involvement, I know, has been invaluable and involving the county, Slow Food and gardening this year was another nice touch). It was a risk, very rarely attempted and even more rarely successful, so kudos to all.”

This event helped to increase the awareness of environmental education in the Charlotte region and we owe part of our success to the promotion we were given on the N.C. Office of Environmental Education Web site calendar and email listing service. Thank you and your dedicated folks for all you do across our state, protecting North Carolina’s natural beauty, resources and future stewards!

--Ernie McLaney, Program Coordinator Center for Sustainability
Central Piedmont Community College