September 2024 – Your Members-Only Newsletter

RCC small members only

Check out the Members Only September edition to learn more about upcoming events, opportunities, and other news!

By Kelly Morton,

Published September 20, 2024

RCC small members only
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The Direct Pay workshop had great discussions about how to take advantage of the Inflation Reduction Act’s Direct Pay Program – the first time the federal government will provide tax-free, direct cash funding up to 70% of project costs to tax-exempt entities. Green Umbrella will be providing more workshops like this heading into 2025, so stay tuned!

The second round of Climate Research Incubator is kicking off later this month. To learn more about the Incubator, check out our latest blog.


Your Member Benefits at Work

Discounted Tickets to the Ohio Energy Conference

Green Umbrella is a proud non-profit partner of the 2024 Ohio Energy Conference on October 7th and 8th at the COSI Science Museum in Columbus, Ohio. The conference brings together energy industry professionals from across the production, manufacturing, transit, political, and social web of Ohio. We encourage you to join our team, partners, and other members at the conference this fall for transparent and diverse dialogue about Ohio’s toughest energy challenges. Green Umbrella’s network is eligible for a 25% discount on their ticket purchase – use code GU25 at checkout to apply. Our executive director will be sharing stories of green energy successes from SWOH at the conference. If you have one to share please email it to membership@greenumbrella.org.

Greenspace Alliance Policy Resource

Developing, updating, and implementing ordinances and laws specific to greenspace and environmental protection is imperative in addressing the challenges of climate change, economic changes, and community health. Green Umbrella’s Greenspace Alliance has developed a Greenspace Policy Resource Guide to provide our members with resources for best practices for developing ordinances, assessing and updating comprehensive plans, financing capital improvements, and more. Included are databases, case studies, and examples of Midwestern legislation, all related to greenspace. This is a living document so additions will continue to be made – reach out to Claire Carlson (claire@greenumbrella.org) if you’d like to see specific resources added to this guide in the future.

Get the most out of your Membership:

  • Submit your events to our Public Events Calendar
  • Submit your jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities to the Green Jobs Board
  • Learn how to navigate the Members Only Portal
  • Stay tuned: Regional Prioritization Plan Training

Members-Only Events

Food Systems Circularity Series: Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Food Waste

October 29th, 4:00-5:00 PM

Join us for this 1-hour webinar where we’ll discuss the connection between climate impacts and food systems and how we’re working to build circularity in our region through the reduction and diversion of food waste. We’ll explore how organizations and individuals can track their greenhouse gas emissions savings using shared metrics, and participants will receive guidance in using a nationally recognized greenhouse gas emissions calculator focused on food waste. Register today!


Collaborations & Connections

The Expanded Greater Cincinnati 2030 District

Green Umbrella’s 2030 District will significantly expand its service territory and re-brand as the Greater Cincinnati 2030 District beginning this fall. District participation will open to commercial, public, nonprofit, and multi-family buildings across Green Umbrella’s 10-county service area, allowing the program to reach a wider audience and create more opportunities for professional partners and members. 2030 District Director, Wyatt King, will be traveling to communities across the region this fall and winter to give presentations on the how and why of energy and water benchmarking. In the meantime, community members are invited to join a free Benchmarking 101 and Intro to the Greater Cincinnati 2030 District webinar on September 12th, and join us at the 2030 Districts Summit Kickoff Reception on September 30th!

Slow Food Live: Your Role as a Stakeholder in School Wellness

September 10, 4:00-5:30 PM

Join us for an interactive virtual event with our Green Schoolyards Manager and experts from the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce and Boston Public Schools. Discover how Local School Wellness Policies, required by the USDA for those in the National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs, can transform food, health, and environmental systems in school communities. Participate in shaping these policies with a diverse committee to ensure equitable resource distribution. Learn about the basics of Local School Wellness Policies, explore a new Toolkit, and how to build effective, inclusive committees. Register now and join the conversation.

Two Food Systems Resources!

1) Join Green Umbrella and RE-AMP Network for a Food Systems Resource Sharing session on September 9th from 3-4:30 PM. The purpose of this virtual event is to support you – farm and food system-focused organizations, food policy councils, and farmers – in understanding, accessing, and coordinating federal, state, local, and private funding. Register here. 2) Check out our new “Healthy Soil, Healthy Food, Healthy Planet” one-pager to learn about why soil health is important to you and your community. The resource includes best practices, resources for next steps, and ways to get involved.


Funding & Grant Opportunities

Recreation Economy for Rural Communities

The Recreation Economy for Rural Communities program is accepting applications now through October 16th. The program provides planning assistance to small towns and rural communities to boost outdoor recreation economies and revitalize main streets. The program is a partnership between EPA’s Office of Community Revitalization, the USDA Forest Service, the Northern Border Regional Commission, the Appalachian Regional Commission, and the Denali Commission.

National Association of Conservation Districts – Outreach and Technical Assistance Grants

The National Association of Conservation Districts will be awarding approximately $18 million in funding for conservation operations technical assistance, environmental quality incentives programs, and conservation stewardship programs. The goal of the program is to increase conservation plans and practices, as well as strengthen local civic engagement related to conservation and land management. Applications are due September 30th.

More opportunities & resources:

More funding opportunities can always be found at Green Umbrella’s Member Funding and Technical Assistance Tracker.


Other News

Climate Health Equity Webinar Series: Climate Change, Allergies and Health Outcomes in Greater Cincinnati

September 19, 1:00-2:00 PM

Green Umbrella’s next iteration of our Climate Health Equity series will focus on climate change and allergies in Greater Cincinnati. We will hear from local expert, Michael Sherenian MD/MS, Assistant Professor at the University of Cincinnati’s Department of Pediatrics and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, regarding how climate change has increased the distribution of allergens and related health outcomes and how we can individually and systemically address these issues. Register here.

Climate Action Wins by Green Umbrella Member Governments

Green Umbrella members are making incredible progress in their climate planning efforts. The City of Milford just established their Climate Action Steering Commission, Fairfield is working to move their Fairfield Sustains Plan to policy next month, Oxford is expediting the implementation of their climate action plan, and Covington is considering establishing a climate action task force, after a presentation by Green Umbrella team members City Commission. Milford, Fairfield, Oxford, and Covington are all Green Umbrella Leading Members and receive climate planning support through our fellowship program, 1:1 consultations, and more.


Meet a Member: PRO Lighting & Solar, LLC

PRO Lighting & Solar is an innovative company with a creative approach to energy efficiency, solar, energy storage solutions, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure solutions. Specializing in net zero solutions, they strive to accelerate the adoption of solar technology across North America. The organization is an Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program certified installer and a leader in solar energy solutions, and has been upgrading lighting systems and installing occupancy sensors for over 20 years.


What We’re Exploring

Story Of Seasons: A Wonderful Life

“One of my favorite ways to decompress and relax is by playing video games. I’m currently playing Story Of Seasons: A Wonderful Life. I have been enjoying making my dream farm, raising animals, and using my crops to make tasty recipes!”

-Viviana Saldarriaga, Visual Communications Specialist

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