Chapter Summary 2025

Charlotte Wildlife Stewards had an impactful year, fostering connections between people and nature through engaging programs, events, and conservation initiatives. Our membership and leadership team grew, reflecting the continued enthusiasm and commitment of our community.

We hosted a variety of educational events, including our popular Speaker Series, with topics ranging from red wolves and turtles to backyard conservation and the urban forest. These programs attracted diverse audiences, offering valuable insights into local wildlife and habitats. Festivals like the Monarch Celebration and Wild on the Water brought the community together to celebrate nature, while our participation in events like Kids in Nature Day and the Great Southeast Pollinator Census allowed us to expand our reach.

Hands-on conservation projects remained central to our mission. This year, we continued building pollinator gardens, built nuthatch nesting boxes, and tackled invasive plant removals across multiple locations. Stream, street, and park cleanups also played a key role in preserving our local ecosystems.

This year we were particularly proud to be an active part of the Coalition to Protect Our Urban Nature led by NCWF. Thanks to this coalition effort, Charlotte City Council approved an amendment that allows registered, well-maintained naturalistic landscapes and pollinator habitats to thrive without being subject to the previous 12-inch vegetation height limit. With a registered habitat, property owners can now plant native gardens that support bees, butterflies, birds, and other wildlife without fear of penalties. Register your yard today!

Through all these efforts, we raised awareness, built partnerships, inspired action, and raised over $13,000 for local wildlife stewardship. We are grateful for the generosity and enthusiasm of our supporters and look forward to an even greater impact in 2026.

Garden for Wildlife

The City of Charlotte was certified as a Wildlife Community Habitat in 2015 by the National Wildlife Federation. This special designation makes Charlotte one of the largest cities east of the Mississippi to be certified by the National Wildlife Federation. Charlotte Wildlife Stewards maintains this certification by promoting the addition of more certified properties and through volunteer, outreach, and educational events.