2026 Green & Healthy Schools Symposium

We are excited to welcome you to the Green & Healthy Schools Symposium in Cincinnati, Ohio!Join us at Cincinnati Public Schools Rockdale Academy & Learning Garden for an energizing event dedicated to district-wide green sustainability while fostering the well-being of communities across our region and beyond. The Symposium will bring together visionary school district leaders, educators, students, school foodservice champions, and partner organizations to explore strategies for embedding and sustaining green schoolyards, green career pathways, and school community wellness throughout a school district. Presenters, including student leaders, will conduct engaging sessions to spark collaboration and equip attendees with resources to accelerate action.

Announcing the Green & Healthy Schools Symposium Keynote Speakers 

Into the Wild: A Youth Perspective on Taking Learning Outdoors, Madz Gerker, Clark Montessori High School

Madz Gerker will discuss their research on outdoor education as part of a senior project at Clark Montessori High School, focusing on how being outdoors improves students’ learning experiences and mental health. Madz will describe how they restored one of the many trails behind Clark High Schools and will also share about the youth participatory action research they conducted with a team of youth researchers at Adventure Crew. Actionable items will be shared to give the audience direction on how they can support outdoor education and youth learning experiences.

Rooted in Partnership: Advancing Student Wellness Through Nature, Brenda Kessler from Children & Nature Network

We’ll take a look at how a growing movement is transforming schoolyards into spaces that support student wellness, learning, and climate resilience. Through partnerships with school districts, communities are advancing nature-based infrastructure, sustainability initiatives, and healthier environments for children. The Children & Nature Network will highlight its collaboration with Cincinnati Public Schools, celebrating recent progress captured through Ripple Effect Mapping and how Cincinnati’s leadership is helping move forward the National Green Schoolyards Action Agenda and stands out as an exemplar community, demonstrating what’s possible and inspiring others to take action.

8:15 – Check-in & Farm to School Breakfast | Exhibitors and Student Displays
8:45 – Opening Remarks: City of Cincinnati Councilmember Meeka Owens
8:55 – Keynote Address: Madz Gerker, student at Clark Montessori High School and Brenda Kessler,  Children & Nature Network

9:45 – Morning Sessions: School District Sustainability Plenary Panel | K-12 Green Career Pathways | Your Role in School Community Wellness

12:00 – Farm to School Lunch | Climate Cafe  | Exhibitors and Student Displays
12:40 – Green Career Pathway Panel Moderated by Mary Dudley, Civic Garden Center

1:30-3:30 – Afternoon Sessions: Select from double sessions in Green Schoolyards | Workforce Development | School Community Wellness

3:30-5:00 – Garden Party: Cincinnati Zoo Self-Guided Tours, Horticulture Stations, Lite Bites, and Beverages in the Rockdale Urban Learning Garden |  Exhibitors and Student Displays

For more information, connect with Green & Healthy Schools Director, Cynthia Walters, at cynthia@greenumbrella.org

EXHIBITOR REGISTRATION:

• $150 – Exhibitor (includes 1 ticket and a table)
  Contact cynthia@greenumbrella.org for more information

INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATION:

General Registration (beginning May 1):

• $125 – General Registration
• $100 – Green Umbrella Member (click here to access the member discount)
• $40 – Student

DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE:

* We are offering a $25 discount for school administrators, school staff, and school district wellness committee members! –>> If you work for a school district, please enter the discount code 25-OFF at the top of the checkout page.

* We also are offering a $25 discount for anyone who registers for both the Midwest Sustainability Summit (on 6/12) and the Green & Healthy Schools Symposium.

ECONOMIC INCLUSION:

* If cost is a barrier, please reach out to events@greenumbrella.org to request a pay-what-you-can ticket.

SPONSORSHIP:

Interested in sponsoring the Green & Healthy Schools Symposium? Contact charlie@greenumbrella.org.