Discovery Place Science will open its reimagined Living Planet Lab on Saturday, February 22 following recent renovations to the space, formerly called Explore More Life. Located on Level 1 at Discovery Place Science, the Living Planet Lab explores Earth’s biodiversity and the importance of sustainability through new hands-on learning opportunities and current research that uncovers the complex systems that influence and sustain life.

“As a leading science museum in the country, Discovery Place Science is excited to amplify conversations around biodiversity and environmental stewardship through the Living Planet Lab,” said Catherine Horne, Discovery Place President and CEO. “We continue to find ways to bring critical scientific and environmental topics into the forefront of our work and visitor experiences, knowing we have a shared responsibility to educate our community through our exhibits, lab spaces and programming.”

At four new focus stations in the Living Planet Lab, living and non-living specimens from the Museum’s permanent Collections are paired with digital interactives that highlight stories of science, nature and design. The Living Planet Lab focus stations are:

• Resilience – exploring how life continues from one generation to the next. For the first time ever, the process of how Discovery Place propagates jellyfish is on exhibit for visitors to experience.
• Biodiversity – manifesting the idea that survival of any single species depends on the diversity of all species. The richness of life on Earth is shown through a variety of specimen displays including a crested gecko, shamefaced crab, tarantula and collection of butterflies and spiders.
• Human Impact – challenging humans to look at the impacts that a growing population has had on other species and the planet. Discovery Place’s corals are displayed to tell the story of the impact of changing oceans on coral reefs around the world.
• Action – encouraging conservation, sustainability and strategic thinking around how humans fit into the planetary ecosystem. An impressive mangrove tree on display serves as an example of the importance of humankind’s partnership with plants.

“The Living Planet Lab is helping to tell the story of how Discovery Place is actively involved in making a difference – from engaging our community, collaborating with researchers and participating in conservation efforts locally and around the world,” said Heather Norton, Chief Science Officer at Discovery Place. “This lab encourages our community to understand how everyone has a role to play in protecting our planet and how we all can support the well-being of individuals and communities.”

Throughout the Living Planet Lab are core experiences exploring coevolution, nature patterns, phylogeny and more. Visitors have an opportunity to learn about a wide range of marine animals at the lab’s hands-on touch tank, as well as get a closer look at the Museum’s Animal Ambassadors.

Additionally, a large tank at the entrance to the Living Planet Lab pulls back the curtain to show how habitats are recreated by the Discovery Place team to allow for the plants and animals in the Museum’s care to live comfortably and happily.

The Living Planet Lab is open daily and included in General Admission to Discovery Place Science.

Charlotte firefighters rescued a parachutist trapped on a high-rise in Uptown Charlotte early this morning.

Emergency crews responded at around 1 am to the Mint Museum on South Church Street, where they found Diego Jose Adame suspended 100 feet in the air, tangled in his parachute against the building. Multiple units, including Rescue 11, Engine 11, and Ladder 4, worked to secure him using a high-angle rope system. Adame was safely brought onto a nearby rooftop around 1:45 a.m. and was uninjured.

Parachute Rescue at Mint Museum @CitizenApp

527 South Church Street 12:43:05 AM EST

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police took over the investigation, and Adame was taken into custody. Arrest records show he was charged with trespassing and later released. He is scheduled to appear in court on March 13.

In a statement Charlotte Fire officials told WSOC that “high-risk activities such as unauthorized parachuting or BASE jumping in urban environments pose extreme dangers and can require complex emergency response operations.”

If you need a passport, an upcoming event in North Carolina will offer residents a chance to apply in person and significantly speed up the normally lengthy process.

The U.S. Department of State announced that North Carolina Central University will host two special passport acceptance fairs on Tuesday, Feb. 18, and Wednesday, Feb. 19.

These fairs, regularly held nationwide for first-time applicants, have been scarce in North Carolina. Currently, the NCCU events are the only scheduled fairs in the state through April. The fairs will take place at NCCU’s passport office next to the mail center, serving students, faculty, staff, and community members.

The fair will take place at 511 Nelson St. in Durham, near the Student Union, with open street parking available.

SouthPark Mall is celebrating its 55th anniversary since opening in February of 1970. Over the years, it has transformed from a local shopping destination into a major retail hub in the Southeast. Since 2020, 34 new brands have joined, including Alexander McQueen, Chanel Fragrance, and Psycho Bunny.

As online shopping grows, malls are shifting focus from traditional retail to full shopping experiences. In 2022, SouthPark Mall unveiled a redeveloped West Plaza, featuring Suffolk Punch Brewing, an open-air pavilion, green space, and a kids’ play area. Balenciaga recently opened its first Carolinas location, a $1.8 million store in a sleek 4,346-square-foot space near Tiffany & Co., Belk, and Nordstrom.

More changes are coming, including a new Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar and Zara expected to open their first Carolina location early next year.

The mall also plays a key role in the SouthPark Forward 2035 Vision Plan, aiming to make the area more walkable and attract more visitors.