April 12, 2023 - View online

Sustainability Spotlights

New Green Cincinnati Plan Passes Unanimously

Cincinnati City Council has unanimously approved the 2023 Green Cincinnati Plan. The Green Cincinnati Plan (GCP) is a plan of action for the entire community and it requires the engaged support of partners of all kinds. Green Umbrella is excited to be a champion for many of the plan’s priority actions. For all their work in making the 2023 GCP happen, we want to recognize the efforts of Councilmember Meeka Owens, the City of Cincinnati's Office of Environment & Sustainability, Groundwork Ohio River Valley, and Green Umbrella employees Savannah Sullivan and Tyeisha Cole.

Remembering John Bentley

The Green Umbrella community is mourning the passing of one of its founding board members, John Bentley. John was a legend in Cincinnati landscape architecture and part of the crew that brought passionate conservation minds together 25 years ago to form the organization that would become Green Umbrella. We asked Green Umbrella Board and staff members what they appreciated most about John. They said, "he was a stalwart supporter of the environment and a truly interesting man." "John played a key role in Green Umbrella's amazing greenspace mapping for the region." "John was such a sweet man who was always excited to share ideas about the landscape... whether large scale iconic projects or how to keep deer out of a backyard garden." Our hearts go out to his children and Helene, his wife.

Local Artists to Curate Exhibition at the Sustainability Summit in May

This year's Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit will include an expanded art show featuring local artists. The exhibition is curated by local artists Devan Horton and Sarah Richard and will feature paintings, sculptures, fashion, and interactive art installations - including a virtual reality space where attendees can visualize potential on-road bicycle infrastructure transformations in Northern Kentucky.

“Art can be a transformative tool for community organizing around the climate crisis. To go beyond seeing this work as just a problem to what positive possibilities there are

when we come together is an inspiring opportunity,” says Richard. We hope that you'll join us as we Imagine What's Possible on May 12th at the Duke Energy Convention Center.

Tri-State Trails Hosts Spring Trail Adventure

Our friends at Tri-State Trails are hosting a Spring Trail Adventure & Fundraiser in Hamilton, Ohio on April 29. The adventure will start at Municipal Brew Works, then you can choose to explore the newly expanded Great Miami River Trail by bike and Hamilton Beltline on foot. The activity will be followed by a

happy hour with light bites at Municipal Brew Works. Registration is required. See the progress for yourself, hear about future plans for trail expansions, and support Tri-State Trails!

Does your organization have a green success story that you want to share? Email our Communications Coordinator at kelly@greenumbrella.org with details and you may be

featured here in Green News or on Green Umbrella's social media!

Sustainability in the Headlines

Volunteers Plant Fruit Trees, Creating an Urban Orchard - Spectrum News 1

Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit to Feature Local Art Exhibition - NKY Tribune

City Unveils Playbook for Creating More Climate Resilient, Equitable City - Spectrum News 1

Cincinnati Researchers Are Focusing on the Climate Challenges That Affect Residents - CityBeat

Imagine What's Possible at the Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit - Cincinnati Magazine

Fort Thomas Conservancy & City to Present Largest Earth Day Celebration in NKY - NKY Tribune

Professor Teams Up With Students to Maintain a MAGIC Garden - The News Record

Building a Better Environment - Soapbox Cincinnati

EPA Announces New Rules to Limit Air Pollutants From Chemical Plants - Inside Climate News

Featured Events View our full events calendar

April 13:

UC Sustainability Awards & Community Partner Showcase 3:00 pm, UC

Green Drinks Happy Hour at Urban Artifact 5:00-7:00 pm, Green Umbrella

April 14: Cincinnati Bike Show, 1:00 pm, UC

April 15:

Backyard Chickens 10:00 am, Civic Garden Center

Family Nature Hike: Love on Mother Earth 10:00 am, Imago

April 16:

Trosset Wildflower Sanctuary Tea 1:00 pm, Gorman Heritage Farm

Forest Bathing at Long Branch Farm & Trails 1:00 pm, Cincinnati Nature Center

Makers in Nature: Spring Edition 1:00 pm, Imago

April 18:

Elevate Equity Day 4:30 pm, Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub

Climate Change & Intersectionality 4:30 pm, Xavier University

Backyard Composting Seminar 6:30 pm, Hamilton County R3source

April 19: CORV Local Food Guide Release 4:00 pm, CORV

April 20: Great Lakes Dredging in the Age of Ecology 7:00 pm, Lloyd Library & Museum

April 21:

Solar Town Hall & Happy Hour 4:00 pm, Cincinnati 2030 District

Wild & Scenic Film Festival 7:30 pm, Ohio River Foundation

April 22: It's Earth Day! There are many celebrations to choose from. Find more here.

Protect Your Wild 9:00 am-3:00 pm, Great Parks

200th Anniversary Gathering 10:00 am-4:00 pm, White Water Shaker Village

Spring Fest in Burnet Woods 10:00 am-2:00 pm, Cincinnati Parks

Earth Day Celebration 12:00 pm-5:00 pm, Greater Cincinnati Earth Coalition

Earth Day at the Lick Run Greenway 12:00 pm-4:00 pm, Project Groundwork

April 24: Climate Change & Sustainability Forum 5:00 pm, Science on Tap

April 26: Energy Star Portfolio Manager 7:00 pm, Faith Communities Go Green

April 29:

New Steward Orientation & Party 1:00 pm, Common Orchard Project

Spring Trail Adventure & Fundraiser 3:00 pm, Tri-State Trails

April 30:

NKY Earth Day Celebration 12:00 pm-4:00 pm, Fort Thomas Forest Conservancy

CORA Annual Meeting 12:30 pm, Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance

Professional Development Opportunities

The City of Cincinnati's Office of Environment & Sustainability announces the availability of its next round of funding for property owners. Up to $80k will be dispersed in the form of $5k matching grants. Apply by May 5.

U.S. Green Building Council is offering an online exam prep class for those looking to earn their LEED Green Associate Exam credential. All four classes will be via Zoom on Wednesdays between April 19 and May 10.

The 2023 REBUILD Conference is creating a thoughtful discussion around sustainability within the built environment and is looking for leaders to present insights, case studies, and new technologies at the conference. Apply to speak at the conference here by May 5.

OKI Regional Council of Governments is asking for input to help partners identify areas with high transportation needs that are disconnected from transit services. The results will identify unserved and underserved areas in terms of access to job hubs via transit.