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Stories of Impact: NC Wildlife Federation

By Kate Greiner, VP Philanthropy and Communications, NCWF

Chantilly Ecological Sanctuary, a splendid 24-acre site along Briar Creek, is just minutes from uptown Charlotte. This lush pollinator meadow provides a vital habitat where birds—from warblers to herons—along with bees, butterflies, and small mammals can find food, water, shelter, and places to raise their young. Wetland plants such as blue-flag iris, hibiscus, and pickerelweed play a crucial role in protecting clean water by filtering toxins from stormwater run-off. It’s no wonder that the sanctuary is one of Charlotte’s premier spots for nature exploration and birdwatching.

However, Chantilly Ecological Sanctuary was not always a wildlife oasis. This area was once covered in concrete, with two large apartment buildings constructed on the site in the 1960s. Increased rainfall and the proximity of impervious surfaces from large parking lots and roads led to frequent flooding of the site and apartment buildings. Unfortunately, apartment residents were relocated, and the buildings were subsequently demolished. Shortly after, Mecklenburg County purchased the land and initiated flood mitigation work. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services and partner agencies undertook extensive earthmoving to restore the natural flow of the floodplain.

North Carolina Wildlife Federation (NCWF) began site surveys and analysis in 2018 and since 2020, has mobilized hundreds of volunteers to restore the site as pollinator habitat. Projects include planting hundreds of trees and pollinator plants, sowing pollinator seeds, installing bird and bat houses, and removing thousands of pounds of litter from Briar Creek. NCWF actively connects nearby neighbors and community members throughout Charlotte to Chantilly Ecological Sanctuary by conducting bird walks and other educational programming.

This success story exemplifies NCWF restoration work in Charlotte and throughout the state, which is integral to its mission to protect, conserve, and restore North Carolina wildlife and habitat for all. The hallmark of our approach is a thoughtful, science-driven understanding of habitat management and restoration, motivated by the critical need to restore the natural function and quality of our waters, wetlands, floodplains, and riparian areas for both wildlife and people.

Support from organizations like Women’s Impact Fund make projects like this possible. We are honored to be among the 2025-26 grant recipients and look forward to using the grant from WIF to support ongoing efforts in places like the Chantilly Ecological Sanctuary!

To learn more about the work of the NC Wildlife Federation—and even transform your yard into a pollinator habitat—visit their website at www.ncwf.org.

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Janet LaBar

Executive Director​
jlabar@womensimpactfund.org

With more than 25 years of experience, Janet has a proven track record of leading organizations and teams in developing strategies that foster thriving communities. Her career is dedicated to the well-being of the places she serves, and the people and businesses within them, positioning her as a trusted sounding board, critical thinker, and purposeful protagonist across corporate, government, education, entrepreneurial, and civic spheres.
Janet joined Women’s Impact Fund in June 2025 to guide one of Charlotte’s most respected, women-led philanthropic organizations into its next phase of growth and impact. In partnership with the Women’s Impact Fund team, Board, Advisors, members, volunteers, and key community partners, she will continue strengthening communities by maximizing women’s leadership in philanthropy through collective giving, education, and engagement.
Inspired by her family, teams who dare greatly, and people and communities striving to be their best selves, Janet’s impactful career includes leadership roles as President and CEO of Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, President and CEO of Greater Portland Inc, and Chief Performance Officer of Greater Phoenix Economic Council. As a first-generation Filipino American, her lived experience deeply informs her professional drive to create equitable economic growth and opportunity in the metro areas she’s served.
She holds a BA in Communication Arts from the University of West Florida and an MBA in Marketing from the University of Phoenix. Janet and her husband James are proud parents to an older daughter, and a daughter and son who are twins.