First Tree Plantings via the Climate Safe Neighborhoods Partnership

Author: Tanner Yess (Groundwork Ohio River Valley) and Savannah Sullivan (Green Umbrella)

Since spring 2021, Groundwork Ohio River Valley and Green Umbrella have led Climate Advisory Groups (CAG) in Lower Price Hill, Bond Hill and Roselawn, and the Beekman Corridor (English Woods, Millvale, North Fairmount, South Cumminsville, and South Fairmount) in partnership with the City of Cincinnati’s Office of Environment and Sustainability. The CAGs brought together dozens of community leaders of all ages to raise awareness of climate impacts in our most vulnerable communities, create climate resilience plans, and engage community members in government climate planning. These efforts were led through Groundwork Ohio River Valley and Green Umbrella’s Climate Safe Neighborhoods Partnership, which is dedicated to centering underserved communities, equity, and justice in regional climate planning efforts in Greater Cincinnati.

With climate resilience plans in hand, the next step is to organize local residents, community-based organizations, businesses, and government entities to implement the neighborhood-level vision. Climate Safe Neighborhoods is excited to share that three tree plantings were successfully completed this fall as a result of the resident-led resilience plans:

• Beekman Corridor (South Cumminsville): 9 trees planted on resident property with residents. Trees planted by Groundwork’s Green Corps.
• Bond Hill and Roselawn: 6 trees planted on resident property with residents. Trees planted by Groundwork’s Green Corps and funded by a Taking Root grant led by Margaux Roberts, a former CAG Resident Leader and current Community Organizer for Groundwork.
• Lower Price Hill: 90 large street trees planted with Cincinnati Parks. Over 180 volunteers from Madtree Brewing and residents helped Groundwork and Parks staff plant trees on right-of-way/sidewalks and city property.

Next steps for the Climate Safe Neighborhoods Partnership includes finalizing a 2023 strategic implementation plan. The Groundwork and Green Umbrella team members are in the process of project planning–to learn more, reach out to the Climate Safe Neighborhoods Director, Savannah Sullivan (savannah@greenumbrella.org) and Climate Safe Neighborhoods Lead, Kelsey Hawkins-Johnson (khawkins-johnson@groundworkorv.org).