Under Our Umbrella: A Year of Collective Impact

On February 10, 2026, sustainability leaders, community partners, and supporters came together for Green Umbrella’s Annual Impact Celebration. The evening was not just about looking back; it showed what can happen when a region unites to face environmental challenges.

As Board President Jaime Love welcomed attendees, the message was clear: “Green Umbrella is all about bringing our region together to work on environmental issues that no one could tackle alone. It’s important to celebrate the real progress our partners have made.”

2025: A Year of Measurable Impact

And progress there was! The numbers shared at the celebration showed how working together led to real environmental action in our region:

• We united people and organizations from all sectors—governments, nonprofits, schools, businesses, and communities—to share solutions, coordinate efforts, and work for a healthier, more resilient region. Our network now includes 184 active members and continues to grow.
• We supported our boots-on-the-ground community partners by hosting or co-hosting 52 trainings, helping 2,038 people better understand local environmental challenges and make informed decisions.
• By providing tools, data, and coordination, we helped partners turn plans into results for the whole region. Five new communities joined our 25 Communities Project to get ready for climate change. Ninety-eight community climate projects were completed, and we trained over 190 new climate leaders to boost our region’s ability to act.
• We also saw exciting progress in neighborhoods across our region: 160,000 pounds of food scraps were composted in Hamilton County, keeping them out of landfills; 190,026 pounds of methane were avoided through food waste diversion; 3,875 pounds of local produce were grown in community orchards; acres of greenspace protected rose to nearly 129,000; and 60 out of 66 Cincinnati Public Schools had green schoolyards features.

Behind each statistic is a story of partnership. Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus shared countywide achievements through the 25 Communities Project and Climate Action Fellowships, including food-waste diversion, climate budgeting, and a forthcoming county-wide Sustainability Plan. Cincinnati Public Schools Superintendent Shauna Murphy reported on district-wide outdoor learning gains, expansion of workforce pathways, and progress toward serving student-grown food in cafeterias—transforming how our youngest residents experience environmental stewardship. Angie Burke from The Nature Conservancy highlighted how the Climate Action Fellowship is helping build the region’s green job talent pipeline. Jennifer Foster, Vice President of the Avondale Community Council, shared how “Ground Yourself in Greenspace: Avondale” is engaging residents through data and stewardship.

These achievements didn’t happen in isolation. They represent the power of Green Umbrella’s collaborative model—bringing together governments, nonprofits, schools, businesses, and community residents to turn ideas into action.

Honoring a Legacy of Leadership

A poignant moment of the evening came with the recognition of outgoing Executive Director Ryan Mooney-Bullock. Partners across the region acknowledged her transformative leadership and the indelible mark she’s leaving on Green Umbrella’s collaborative climate work.

“Under Ryan’s leadership, Green Umbrella stands stronger than ever, rooted in a clear strategic vision, energized by deep community partnerships, and positioned to accelerate our region’s response to the environmental challenges ahead,” said interim executive director Van Sullivan. “Ryan leaves the organization in truly excellent shape, equipped to thrive in our next chapter.”

For Ryan, the work has always been about the collective. “It has been an honor and a privilege to work alongside so many passionate partners, community leaders, and staff who believe in a healthier, more resilient future for all of us,” she reflected. “We have built something truly special together, and I have full confidence that this important work will continue.”

That confidence is well-placed. Ryan’s legacy is not only in the programs and partnerships she established, but also in the strong foundation of collaboration she helped create. Today, Green Umbrella is a network of 184 active members across 10 counties, guided by a clear strategy, proven programs, and strong community trust. Our foundation is solid, our vision is clear, and our momentum is growing.

Looking Ahead: 2026 and Beyond

Green Umbrella is at a pivotal moment, and we are looking ahead with confidence and optimism. In 2026, we will focus even more on what works: collaboration, community-based solutions, and measurable action. Our plans reinforce our role as a regional convener that helps members reach their climate and sustainability goals. This year, we will strengthen collaboration, expand climate-readiness efforts, and create new ways for the community to get involved.

For instance, we will keep focusing on policy change to help our region make progress for everyone. Later this year, we will release a regional playbook that gives local groups a list of solutions for sustainability, equity, and resilience. This playbook builds on the recent ThriveTogether emissions drawdown plan. We will help communities and organizations adopt policies and projects that cut emissions, improve health and equity, and boost environmental resilience.

All of this work is accomplished through local leaders and advocates, who are at the heart of our strategic plan. As the Regional Climate Collaborative for Greater Cincinnati, we help local decision-makers to work collaboratively across jurisdictions and sectors. Our member benefits, technical assistance, educational programming, and collaborative teams are how you will see this work in action.

A highlight of 2026 will be the launch of Cincinnati Climate Week, taking place June 8-14, with the Climate Week Network. This new regional event will include in-person and virtual activities hosted by our partners, highlighting local climate solutions and building a stronger future together. Green Umbrella’s 13th annual Midwest Sustainability Summit will anchor the week (June 12), followed by the Green & Healthy Schools Symposium (June 13). These events will bring together hundreds of leaders and community members to connect, share, and learn about climate solutions in our Tri-state area.

To sustain this important work in the long term, we are finding new ways to fund our efforts. We have been incredibly fortunate over the last eight years to grow our staff, and much of that growth has been fueled by grants. But we recognize that the uncertainty of grant funding—both from the public and private sector—means we cannot be too reliant on them. Your support through membership, sponsorship, ticket purchases, and donations to our Leadership Legacy Campaign will help us get there.

A Movement Rooted in Partnership

Last night’s celebration was made possible through the generous support of Duke Energy, Great Parks, SOPEC, HighGrain Brewing, Rhinegeist Brewery, and Deeper Roots Coffee. Their partnership demonstrates the broad coalition of public, private, and nonprofit organizations working together through Green Umbrella to advance regional sustainability.

But the true strength of this movement isn’t found in any single sponsor, program, event or achievement. It’s in the collective commitment of everyone showing up—meeting after meeting, project after project, year after year—to build a healthier, more resilient region.

As Tanner Yess, Executive Director of Groundwork Ohio River Valley and a former Green Umbrella intern, put it: “We’re on a mission to save the world, right? We’re moving the needle because of shared values and collective impact. I’m thankful to have Green Umbrella as a foundation for our movement.”

That foundation, strengthened by our Green Umbrella team and many dedicated partners, is poised to carry us forward into an ambitious future. The work continues. The region is ready. And together, we’re building the climate-ready, equitable, thriving future our communities deserve.