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Panning for gold
   March 13, 2014
Ruth Ann Grissom
Casual, recreational gold panning can be a fun pastime – it gets us outdoors and connects us with an aspect of our history – but anything beyond the gentle and occasional use of a pan and shovel can have devastating consequences for our creeks and rivers. (Photo: Marla Coulthard) Read more
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'Dirtways' speed up trail construction in Mecklenburg
   March 12, 2014
Chuck McShane
Instead of waiting for paved greenways, Mecklenburg County is building some natural-surface "dirtways." The first, in the Steele Creek area, opened last month and cost about $5,000. (Photo: Steele Creek Residents Association) Read more
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Backpacking basics and the 2014 Uwharrie Trail thru hike
   March 5, 2014
Crystal Cockman
Thanks to more than 15 years of conservation work, the Uwharrie Recreational Trail trail can now be hiked in its 40-mile entirety. The second annual "thru hike" of the trail will be this May. Do you have your backpacking basics assembled? Here's my list of necessities. (Photo: Crystal Cockman) Read more
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Institute, partners launch 3-year look at environmental topics
   March 5, 2014
Mary Newsom
The UNC Charlotte Urban Institute, in partnership with the UNC Charlotte College of Arts + Architecture, has launched KEEPING WATCH, a three-year initiative designed to bring a higher profile to, and engage the public in, issues about the natural environment. This year's focus is plastics and recycling. (Photo: Nancy Pierce) Read more
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Charlotte to phase in less energy-greedy street lights
   March 4, 2014
Mary Newsom
The City of Charlotte is starting to phase in LED streetlights, as an energy-saving move that will also lower the area's carbon footprint. (Photo: Department of Energy) Read more
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Beyond the test score bump at Shamrock Gardens School
   February 26, 2014
Amy Hawn Nelson

This article is a summary of a yearlong study to be published in an edited volume printed by Harvard Educational Press in fall 2014. The study uses administrative records from the N.C. Department of Instruction and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, media reports, and in-depth interviews with parents, teachers, and administrators.

In 1997, when North Carolina launched its...

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Have your say on area's growth
   February 25, 2014
Chuck McShane
CONNECT Our Future, a long-term regional planning process for the 14-county Charlotte region, will host several forums in March. Project organizers will ask attendees for opinions on four growth scenarios for the region. Here's how to attend one of the forums. (Photo: Nancy Pierce) Read more
Celebrate some of North Carolina's great places
   February 24, 2014
Mary Newsom
We know North Carolina is filled with great places. Here's your chance to suggest places that deserve public recognition and celebration. The N.C. Chapter of the American Planning Association wants nominations from the public for Great Main Street and Great Public Place. (Photo: Nancy Pierce) Read more
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Snow in the South
   February 20, 2014
Ruth Ann Grissom
Is there anything more diverting for a Southerner than a couple of inches of snow? The mere suggestion of the slightest chance of a flurry whips us into a frenzy. Photo: Ruth Ann Grissom Read more
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N.C.'s TIMS project helps effort to update public school boundaries
   February 17, 2014
Kevin Hart
The demographics of local school districts matter to the families in local communities. They also matter to researchers, policy makers and disaster relief planners. North Carolina is gearing up to help in a new, national data collection effort. (Image: NCES SDDS Map Viewer) Read more