Green Umbrella in the News

Source: The Enquirer 

Marching for Justice on Mlk Day Displays Compassion Through Action

On Monday, we will commemorate the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., our country’s most revered civil rights icon. Our community will do so with a series of inspiring events that call upon all of us to work for a "beloved community."

Among the events on MLK Day will be a march that fittingly begins at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center at 10:30 a.m. Amid the hundreds of marchers that day will be persons of faith, of many faiths, whose respective religious teachings instruct them to pursue compassion and justice for everyone, believers and non-believers alike. More than 14 world religions, both eastern and western in origin, encompassing three dozen distinct traditions that worship here in our community share this moral mandate. They are brothers and sisters for a compassionate and just Cincinnati. On Monday, we will march in solidarity.

The nonprofit EquaSion through its several interfaith programs has brought them together. Its annual Festival of Faiths has fostered greater awareness, understanding and respect among our diverse faiths. Its "A Mighty Stream" racial justice program has given them an avenue for sacred activism. And, its Faith Communities Go Green initiative, a collaboration with Green Umbrella, engages our diverse faiths in common cause of caring for creation. Together, these and other activities serve EquaSion’s motto of "compassion through action."

Marcus Parrish, with Sinai Temple No. 59, from East Walnut Hills, center, listens to a prayer at the end of the 47th Annual Commemorative March to honor the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. on MLK Day, Jan. 17, 2022. The march started at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and concluded at Washington Park in Over-the-Rhine.

One such action is marching for justice on MLK Day. Why do we march? What’s the point of this seemingly mild gesture of good will in the face of our highly polarized and politicized environment that discourages our aspirations and mutes our hopes for ever achieving a beloved community in Cincinnati? What can we marchers accomplish?

In truth, it’s a lot. By getting out of our comfortable homes and joining others at the Freedom Center on a winter’s morning, we achieve some important purposes. Here are some that I have experienced:

I have been inspired by the warm camaraderie from walking with others who share my social values and hopes, comforted in knowing that I’m not alone.

I have felt a measure of religious integrity for acting on what my good book tells me to do.

I have felt that I am making a modest contribution to a righteous cause by my taking of a public stand for justice (in stark contrast to the postings of anti-social tropes on social media).

Despite the freezing temperatures hundreds participated in the 47th Annual Commemorative March to honor the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. on MLK Day, Jan. 17, 2022. The march started at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and concluded at Washington Park in Over-the-Rhine.

This simple gesture of participating in the MLK Day march has motivated me to do more for the cause of social justice. History tells us that marching leads to stronger actions. Moreover, as part of a large assemblage of justice-seekers, I have felt, as other marchers for justice and freedom have before me, some political power in this exercise of protesting the unjust inequities that persist in our society. The forces of division and hate must be reminded that we exist, we persons of faith, and that we represent the predominant values of our community.

These and other benefits of marching on MLK Day await all those who want to be counted, who want to live out their faith, by showing up at the Freedom Center on Monday at 10:30 a.m. We look forward to seeing you there.

Chip Harrod is the executive director of EquaSion, a nonpartisan, civic nonprofit informed by interfaith dialogue that promotes inclusion, equity, and justice for everyone in Greater Cincinnati. For more information: https://www.equasion.org/).

Source: Highland County Press

10th Annual Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit Announces Keynote Speaker; Is Accepting Submissions, Nominations

Green Umbrella’s 10th annual conference for environmental advocates, the Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit, will take place May 12 at the Duke Energy Center in Cincinnati and feature keynote speaker Dr. Katharine Wilkinson.

The Midwest Regional Sustainability brings together hundreds of visionary leaders to share inspiring, forward-thinking and solution-oriented ideas that propel us toward a healthier, more resilient, sustainable and equitable future.

Green Umbrella is accepting submissions from those interested in presenting short talks, leading workshops, participating in panel discussions or displaying art at the Summit.

This year’s Summit theme of “Imagine What’s Possible” invites us to explore possibilities that empower and motivate us to build a more vibrant and equitable region. Submissions may explore this theme through a variety of climate-related topics, including but not limited to: healthy & resilient communities, local food systems, justice & equity, green workforce development, high-performing infrastructure and clean transportation.

Nominations for the 2023 Summit awards are open now. Organizations, individuals, businesses and communities that make strides in the areas of impact, innovation and leadership can be nominated for recognition of their accomplishments at the Summit. Summit submissions and nominations will be accepted through Jan. 31.

This year’s keynote speaker, Dr. Katharine Wilkinson, is a bestselling author, strategist and teacher. She leads the All We Can Save Project and co-hosts the podcast A Matter of Degrees. Her TED Talk on climate and gender equality has over 2 million views and she has been featured by Time magazine as one of the 15 women leading the fight against climate change.

Learn more about the Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit by contacting Charlie Gonzalez at charlie@greenumbrella.org.

Green Umbrella is Greater Cincinnati’s green alliance. It brings together businesses, governments, and organizations to make our region a green, healthy and beautiful place for people who live here now and for generations to come.

Source: Soapbox Cincinnati

Group Touting Locally Grown Food Selected for Nationwide Project

The Greater Cincinnati Regional Food Policy Council has been selected to participate in an 18-month nationwide project that will explore how regional food systems work and how to improve. Fifty councils from around the country applied but only 11 were invited.

The Food Policy Council is a collective impact organization, where many come together in a structured way to achieve change. The group works to get quality, locally grown food to people who can benefit from their services.

The Council grew out of an alliance with Green Umbrella, the tri-state’s green sustainability organization. They currently examine ways to efficiently deliver locally grown food from a 10-county area of Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana to clients in the area, and also how to benefit the growers. The main beneficiaries of the food network are institutions like schools and hospitals, as well as area chefs, farmers markets, and SNAP recipients.

“A more competitive, fair, and resilient food system requires investment in regional supply chains, and food policy councils can play a critical role building bridges between rural communities and consumer markets,” says Tricia Kovacs, deputy administrator of the transportation and marketing program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agriculture Marketing Service.

The council is working on a number of projects. They work with area schools to provide fresh food connections and instruction for their students. They also offer guidance about nutrition and food preparation guidance for parents and clients.

“When we think about food systems, it makes sense for us to work regionally, as our food distribution networks cross state and city boundaries to bring food through the value chain,” says Maddie Chera, director of Cincinnati’s Food Policy Council (FPC). “We are excited that the timing of this community of practice coincides with the implementation of our new strategic plan, role changes in our Food Policy Council, and growth in our parent organization, Green Umbrella.”

On the surface, it may appear to be a simple process to connect farmers to consumers, but there are often barriers, such as regulations or local policies that interfere, which complicates the process.

FPC has had some success influencing policies in schools and local governments, Chere says. “Cincinnati changed zoning ordinances to offer more opportunities for urban agriculture," she says.

In essence, they are using food to build better communities. Over a five-year period, Green Umbrella and the Food Policy Council's collaboration with partners saw annual sales increase from a baseline of $21,500 to $734,843 at the project’s completion.

Source: CSR Wire

Fifth Third Sustainability Business Resource Group Plants Trees for Local Orchard

As part of its efforts to advance environmental sustainability in the communities it serves, members of Fifth Third Bank’s Sustainability Business Resource Group helped to plant fruit trees in a local Cincinnati neighborhood on Nov. 16.

Planted in the Evanston neighborhood, the new orchard was overseen and installed by The Common Orchard Project, a local non-profit organization that works to install and maintain hundreds of small orchard plantings across Greater Cincinnati. The orchards provide increased food access, tree canopy and walkable greenspace in neighborhoods that have experienced disinvestment. The Common Orchard Project has planted 14 orchards in Ohio to date and plans to plant 50 more by 2024.

Established in 2022, the Fifth Third Sustainability Business Resource Group is an enterprise, or company-wide, BRG that comprises nearly 800 employee members from across its footprint. The Sustainability BRG is focused on sustainability in the areas of employee development, community involvement and business innovation.

More information about Fifth Third’s Purpose-driven culture and its commitment to corporate sustainability can be found in its 2021 Environmental, Social and Governance Report.

Source: Smart Business

2023 Pillar Award for Community Service – Greater Cincinnati

Nonprofit Board Executive of the Year Award

Jeffrey March

Board Member, Best Point Education & Behavioral Health

From the beginning, Jeff March has been a living embodiment of The Best Point Story. As a baby, he was adopted from the agency when it still provided adoption services to the Cincinnati community. As he continued to grow, he never lost his gratitude for the organization that helped him start out in life.

March has continued to push forward and has had a successful career as one of the founders of BRG Realty Group, where he serves as CEO. Today, he continues to help Best Point and the 16,000 children and families it serves each year. He, along with his wife, Jeanette, selflessly and tirelessly devote their talents to Best Point’s continuing mission of serving the community’s most vulnerable populations in life-changing ways.

When COVID-19 became part of the daily vernacular for the community, March was instrumental in ensuring the nonprofit agency remained fiscally strong. His business acumen, coupled with an unbridled passion for underserved children and families, helped Best Point continually operate in unprecedented and uncertain times.

Through March’s leadership, Best Point pivoted in record time to offer critically needed telehealth services to children whose medical diagnoses are, in many cases, so severe that without treatment, they can often relapse to life-threatening status. Seeing this need, he offered advice on how Best Point could adapt in a fluid operating environment, which resulted in the agency increasing from 4,000 telehealth services in early March to over 40,000 by the fall. ●

Andy Holzhauser

Board President, Green Umbrella

Andy Holzhauser was board president of Green Umbrella, where his term ended in December. Previously, he worked as its treasurer, putting his first career in accounting and second career in nonprofit management to excellent use. He has continued to serve on the Finance Committee while board president and has helped the organization evolve systems as it has grown.

Holzhauser has shown unbridled leadership during a phase of extensive growth at Green Umbrella. During his tenure, it has expanded from six full-time employees to 18. Together, they built out their internal marketing and development departments, increased the number of in-house programs from three to six and more than doubled its organizational operating budget.

Holzhauser has helped it better serve its 2 million community members across Greater Cincinnati in local food security, carbon emission reduction, equitable access to greenspace and active transportation infrastructure. Most recently, Holzhauser led the Green Umbrella Board through the decision to spin off its highly successful Tri-State Trails program into its own nonprofit organization.

As Green Umbrella aims to be a leader in collaboration and facilitation across government, nonprofit, and for-profit worlds, these connections have been critical to programming, as we aim to advance sustainability best practices across the region. Holzhauser’s dedication to sustainability is far-reaching. Outside of Green Umbrella, he works as a partner at Donovan Energy, a clean energy project development and finance firm. ●

William Butler

Board member, Lindner Center of HOPE

William Butler has been chairman of Corporex Cos., for 57 years and serves as a board member of Lindner Center of HOPE.

Since 2008, Lindner Center of HOPE has served as a lifeline to tens of thousands who’ve faced the struggle of mental illness or addiction. Offering a wide range of mental health services and treatments in an atmosphere that promotes long-term healing, we are staffed by some of the nation’s best psychiatric experts. Lindner Center of HOPE is a place entirely dedicated to hope — and finding a unique path forward.

Mental illness and addiction can set those who struggle on a common journey, in search of one thing. Hope. Hope for answers and action. Empathy and excellence. Lasting change and confidence. These journeys often lead to Lindner Center of HOPE, which consistently delivers exceptional care on a personal level. It has gained consistent recognition on a national level. It is a psychiatric center of excellence for its breadth of expertise and depth of understanding, and its physicians are leaders in psychiatric research and provide the highest degree of empathetic, individualized patient care.

In his work, Butler is experienced in building commercial buildings and residential buildings. He is dedicated to community service and when planning began for new construction at Lindner Center of HOPE, he offered to take charge.

Throughout his career at Corporex, he learned how challenging mental health disorders can be — and how it can affect families, friends and co-workers. Coupled with the limitations of the illness itself, the hurdle of stigma adds another challenge. ●

Source: WVXU

A New ‘Commuting Toolkit’ Aims to Reduce Transportation Emissions

A local climate change organization is asking employers to offer commuting benefits like Metro and RedBike passes and on-site electric vehicle charging stations.

The Cincinnati 2030 District is a partnership between businesses, developers and building managers for 321 buildings. Director Elizabeth Rojas says they’re now offering a Commuting Toolkit for employers.

"We were hearing from people that they didn't know really where to begin if they were going to start to modify behavior or modify workplace policy strategies for reducing emissions," Rojas said.

The 2030 District conducted a commuter survey in late 2021, partnering with the OKI Regional Council of Governments. They learned about 53% of commuting trips taken to participating employers were by car with only one occupant; about 38% of trips were employees working from home.

People driving to work alone accounted for 92% of miles traveled, compared to about 76% nationally.

The 2030 District includes 321 buildings throughout greater Cincinnati, mostly concentrated in the city. The goal is to reduce transportation emissions and energy and water consumption at least 50% by the year 2030.

A new report shows progress in all three areas through the end of 2021:

• 31.5% reduction in energy consumption in all participating buildings
• 31.1% reduction in water consumption in all participating buildings
• 20.8% reduction in transportation emissions (measured in emissions per commuter)

Reductions in energy and water use are way ahead of schedule, and Rojas says it's not entirely clear why.

"Is it because people are making improvements? We have heard anecdotally, yes, that people are making improvements," Rojas said. "We also wonder how many people are not working in their offices right now. So over the next couple of years, we'll see a little bit more evidence, but the fact that we have this jumpstart is a great place to be."

Short-term goals are to reduce transportation emissions at least 25% by 2025, and to reduce energy and water consumption at least 35% by 2025.

Source: Movers & Makers

Energy Group Close to 2025 Target

Another Green Umbrella initiative is showing progress.

The Cincinnati 2030 District has released its 2021 progress report, which details the efforts and successes of members who voluntarily commit to cut emissions from energy, water, and transportation and improve the overall health of the buildings they occupy.

Members of the Cincinnati 2030 District are working to reduce emissions in these categories to take local action towards global goals of 50% carbon reductions by 2030.

District members showed a 31.5% reduction in energy, putting the district within striking distance of the 2025 target reduction of 35%.

“We are proud of the work our members have done since 2020 to reduce emissions related to energy, water and transportation in their buildings,” said Elizabeth Rojas, director of the Cincinnati 2030 District. “By benchmarking their buildings, and making improvements toward energy efficiency and renewable installations, they are leading the way for our region to hit the targets. The work they have done assessing and tackling low-hanging fruit positions them to take advantage of incoming tax incentives to go even deeper in meeting their environmental goals.”

The five-year-old Cincinnati 2030 District’s mission is to create a network of healthy, high-performing buildings to decarbonize Greater Cincinnati. It is an initiative of Green Umbrella, Greater Cincinnati’s environmental collaborative, uniting people and organizations passionate about improving the region’s environmental health. Launched in 1998 but refocused in 2011 as the leading alliance working to maximize the environmental sustainability of Greater Cincinnati, Green Umbrella is home to and incubates other projects like a local food policy council, the Common Orchard Project and the recently launched Regional Climate Collaborative. The regional sustainability alliance has served as the fiscal agent or sponsor for other projects including Tri-State Trails, Red Bike, Taking Root, Adventure Crew and Produce Perks Midwest, all of which are now independent nonprofit organizations. The local food policy council was recently named to a highly competitive national learning network.

A free building walk-through program helped district building owners identify opportunities to reduce energy costs and emissions. Since the program’s introduction, the 2030 District has “walked through” almost 200,000 square feet of space.

For water, reporting members achieved a 31.1% reduction against their own building’s data. Some are achieving this by implementing innovative solutions and products, while others are simply updating older fixtures.

For commuting, the district, in partnership with OKI Regional Council of Governments, compared the results from their first commuter survey, (sponsored by Metro SORTA), with a 2015 OKI baseline. Members saw a reduction of 20.8% in commuting emissions, which were bolstered by the increase in remote work. 92% of those surveyed reported that their commuting miles are made in single occupancy, combustion engine vehicles. However, there is significant interest in electric vehicle incentives from employers and improved bus service to provide lower-emissions options.

Four organizations have received awards for achievements in energy, water, transportation, and occupant health. Those include Pepper Construction for energy, the Cincinnati Art Museum for water, The VA Medical Center for transportation emissions reductions and Fifth Third Bank for occupant health improvements.

Source: Highland County Press

Cincinnati 2030 District Releases Report of Emissions Reductions in Cincinnati Buildings

The Cincinnati 2030 District has released its 2021 Progress Report, which details the efforts and successes of District Building Members who voluntarily commit to cut emissions from energy, water, and transportation and improve the overall health of the buildings they occupy.

Members of the Cincinnati 2030 District are working to reduce emissions in these categories to take local action towards global goals of 50-percent carbon reductions by 2030 to slow the rate of climate change.

The report can be viewed here. 

For calendar year 2021, building members showed a 31.5-percent reduction in energy from baseline, putting the District within striking distance of the 2025 target reduction of 35 percent. A free building walk-through program helped building owners identify opportunities to reduce energy costs and emissions. Since the program’s introduction, the 2030 District has “walked through” almost 200,000 square feet.

For water, reporting members achieved a 31.1-percent reduction against their own building’s data. Some are achieving this by implementing innovative solutions and products, while others are simply updating older fixtures.

For commuting, the Cincinnati 2030 District, in partnership with OKI Regional Council of Governments, compared the results from their first commuter survey, (sponsored by Metro SORTA), with a 2015 OKI baseline. Members saw a reduction of 20.8 percent in commuting emissions, which were bolstered by the increase in remote work.

Ninety-two percent of those surveyed reported that their commuting miles are made in single occupancy, combustion engine vehicles. However, there is significant interest in electric vehicle incentives from employers and improved bus service to provide lower-emissions options.

Four organizations received Impact Awards for achievements in energy, water, transportation and occupant health. Those include Pepper Construction for energy, the Cincinnati Art Museum for water, The VA Medical Center for transportation emissions reductions and Fifth Third Bank for occupant health improvements.

“We are proud of the work our members have done since 2020 to reduce emissions related to energy, water and transportation in their buildings. By benchmarking their buildings, and making improvements toward energy efficiency and renewable installations, they are leading the way for our region to hit the targets,” said Elizabeth Rojas, Director of the Cincinnati 2030 District. “The work they have done assessing and tackling low-hanging fruit positions them to take advantage of incoming tax incentives to go even deeper in meeting their environmental goals.”

The Cincinnati 2030 District’s mission is to create a network of healthy, high-performing buildings to decarbonize Greater Cincinnati. It is an initiative of Green Umbrella, Greater Cincinnati’s environmental collaborative, uniting people and organizations passionate about improving the region’s environmental health. The District’s Marquee Sponsor is The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, IBEW Local 212.

Source: Movers & Makers

Food Council Tapped for National Panel

The Greater Cincinnati Regional Food Policy Council has been selected to participate in a nationwide learning network.

Part of Green Umbrella, the local food policy council will participate in a community of practice focused on regional food systems development. After a review of over 50 applications, 11 food policy councils from across the country were selected for the 18-month project, reflecting a diversity of approaches to regional food systems work.

Regional food policy councils are collaborative groups that seek to address food-related issues across county and/or state boundaries. This localized work has emerged as a promising approach to developing equitable, sustainable and vibrant food and agriculture systems.

Launched in 1998 but refocused in 2011 as the leading alliance working to maximize the environmental sustainability of Greater Cincinnati, Green Umbrella is home to and incubates other projects like Cincinnati 2030 District, Common Orchard Project and the recently launched Regional Climate Collaborative. The regional sustainability alliance has served as the fiscal agent or sponsor for other projects including Tri-State Trails, Red Bike, Taking Root, Adventure Crew and Produce Perks Midwest, all of which are now independent nonprofit organizations.

This new food council community of practice is a central part of a cooperative research project that aims to better understand regional approaches to strengthening food systems.

Leading organizations in this project are the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA AMS), Ohio State University, the John Hopkins Center for a Livable Future and Colorado State University. As part of this community, Cincinnati’s FPC will help guide research and the creation of resources to support other councils in taking regional approaches to food system development.

“A more competitive, fair and resilient food system requires investment in regional supply chains, and food policy councils can play a critical role building bridges between rural communities and consumer markets,” said Tricia Kovacs, deputy administrator of the transportation and marketing program of USDA-AMS.

“When we think about food systems, it makes sense for us to work regionally, as our food distribution networks cross state and city boundaries to bring food through the value chain,” said Maddie Chera, director of Cincinnati’s FPC. “We are excited that the timing of this community of practice coincides with the implementation of our new strategic plan, role changes in our Food Policy Council, and growth in our parent organization, Green Umbrella.”

The local food policy council will be represented in the community of practice by Chera and Anna Haas, program director for Local Foods Connection.

A subsidiary of restaurant supplier What Chefs Want!, Local Food Connection is one of the longest-serving current members of the local food policy council, participating for at least seven years. Haas has served on committees and been an ongoing key partner, especially in farm to institution work that involves planning, supporting, and coordinating the flow of local food from regional farms to businesses and schools.

Haas brings wide-ranging food system experience, expertise grounded in daily work directly with farmers and food artisans and big picture systems perspective to lead in the council’s implementation of grant-funded projects and other work.

Chera was named to her role at the food policy council in April after having served as the organization’s food systems analyst since May 2021. As an analyst, Chera managed the monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of the council, and helped organizational partners collect and share research and stories on the regional food system. During the previous year, she conducted 22 stakeholder interviews with many of the council’s direct partners and created the first-ever impact report for the council. Chera brings over a decade of domestic and international experience as an educator, researcher, and nonprofit team member to her work. She holds a doctorate in anthropology from Indiana University Bloomington, with a focus on food, the environment and culture.

The food policy council has an active call for nominations to serve on the council. Learn more and find other ways to get involved directly with its work, visit www.cincinnatiregionalfood.org/get-involved.

Source: WVXU

OKI Tool for Wetlands Mitigation Finds Plenty of Uses, Including in Bat Research

What was specifically designed as an easy way for developers to identify federally mandated environmental mitigation projects is becoming useful to all kinds of organizations.

The Ohio Kentucky Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI) developed the online tool called The Environmental Mitigation Sustainability Modeler (EMSM) a year ago.

It has multiple layers the user can choose to identify certain types of property. Margaret Minzner demonstrated it for WVXU and chose impaired waters, parcels with streams and close to parks.

"You can see those red hot-spot areas are great areas to start focusing your efforts," she says. "So, you can see right away, 'Here's some places where I might want to focus on stream restoration projects.' "

Under the Clean Water Act, if a new development is going to damage the environment, that company must buy credits to offset it. The hope is the mitigation will be local, but's that's not always easy. Take Amazon Air's new facility in Hebron — Minzner called the amount of mitigation required there astronomical.

Minzner says this online tool covers the eight-county OKI region. She has demonstrated it at national conferences and there is plenty of interest.

New categories include environmental justice and tree canopy data

In just a few months OKI will update the online tool to include more categories. "The U.S. EPA added some environmental justice layers, so we’ll be adding some of those as well as the climate and economic justice screening tool. And one of the cool things that we’ll have is updated tree canopy data from Northern Kentucky."

Minzer is thrilled other groups, other than developers are making use of the website.

She says Green Umbrella may use it to identify priority areas for regional green space. The Boone County Conservation District is using it for bat research.

"They (Butler County) just put it in the categories that they thought would be most representative of where they would expect to find bats. And then they overlaid roads and tried to find accessible sites to set up their sub-acoustic monitoring equipment," she says.

"I think the tool’s potential is unlimited," she adds.