Oct. 9, 2026

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Firehouse 44 Groundbreaking

Yesterday, the City of Charlotte held the groundbreaking ceremony for Firehouse 44 in the newly developed River District community. The two-story, three-bay, approximately 14,000-square-foot structure will be the first mass timber firehouse in the Southeast.

It will be a 100% electric facility with numerous sustainability features:

• ENERGY STAR® equipment and low-flow indoor water fixtures targeting 43% potable water savings.
• A geothermal HVAC system and in-slab radiant heating replacing fuel- and gas-dependent fueling and climate control systems. This is the city’s first facility with a geothermal water heater.
• A rooftop and ground-mounted photovoltaic system generating on-site energy and offsetting 100% of building energy costs.

The city will pursue both International Living Future’s Zero Carbon Certification and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification for the facility.

Watch the Groundbreaking Ceremony

Read about Firehouse 44

Alternative Fuels Vehicle Ride & Drive

Earlier this month, the Office of Sustainability and Resilience and its partners held our annual Ride & Drive event for city employees and local government staff. It featured heavy-, medium- and light-duty alternatively fueled vehicles for attendees to explore. With some vehicles, you were able to get behind the wheel and take them around the track on a test drive.

It was an opportunity to see how the city's fleet is contributing toward our zero-carbon goal. Vendors with alternatively fueled items were also in attendance with some giving demonstrations throughout the day.

Read the SEAP+

Fire Logistics Electric Vehicle Charging Project

Late this summer, a new project was completed with Charlotte Fire Department. Six level II chargers and 12 ports were installed, helping to support the electrification of CFD's logistics division.

Envirothon Club

Oct. 6-27, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Eastway Recreation Center

Are your children interested in the environment? Do you want them to build their nature knowledge along with a team of other teens? Envirothon may be just what you are looking for! With Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, your children can participate in hands-on activities and short walks in our local nature preserves to learn more about the environment around them.

Envirothon Club

Paw Creek Stream Cleanup

Saturday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m. to noon, R.L. Smith Park

Stream cleanups involve removing litter from the stream and surrounding areas to improve water quality and wildlife habitat! Volunteers will be cleaning up Paw Creek at R.L. Smith Park.

Paw Creek Stream Cleanup

Leave Your Leaves Workshop

Wednesday, Oct. 14, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Tuckaseegee Arboretum & Gardens

Join Landscape Management for a fun, informative workshop on easy fall yard care that helps pollinators and other wildlife thrive. There will be discussions about how "leaving your leaves" can boost soil and plant health while giving moths, butterflies and other wildlife a cozy place to overwinter, as well as tips and tricks on how to make your yard fall-ready!

Leave Your Leaves

Bruns Avenue Elementary Beautification Day

Saturday, Oct. 17, 9 a.m. to noon, Bruns Avenue Elementary

Volunteer with Landscape Management and Keep Charlotte Beautiful to help beautify Bruns Avenue Elementary! We will need volunteers to help plant raised garden beds, install a playground bench, pick up litter and remove invasive species!

Bruns Avenue Elementary Beautification Day

Volunteer Day: Rescue Garden Installation

Saturday, Oct. 24, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuckaseegee Arboretum & Gardens (TAG)

Join us as we team up with Constructive Plant Rescue to install rescued plants throughout TAG’s outdoor space. Volunteers will help with simple planting tasks — no experience needed! It’s a great way to support sustainability, connect with the community and help create a welcoming garden for everyone. All tools and materials will be provided. We’d love to have you join us and grow something beautiful together!

Rescue Garden Installation

Irwin Creek Stream Cleanup

Thursday, Oct. 29, 11 a.m. to noon, Irwin Creek

Stream cleanups involve removing litter from the stream and surrounding areas to improve water quality and wildlife habitat! Volunteers will be cleaning up Irwin Creek in Westover Hills.

Irwin Creek Stream Cleanup

Halloween Park, Street and Stream Cleanup

Saturday, Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to noon, Little Sugar Creek Greenway

It's spooky season! Join Keep Charlotte Beautiful and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services for their fourth annual Halloween cleanup. Costumes encouraged!

Halloween Park, Street and Stream Cleanup

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