A message from the Greenspace Alliance Manager: |
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Welcome to the first-ever Greenspace Alliance Newsletter! We’re excited to have you here, a space reserved for all those who love trekking through the woods, traipsing through a breezy field, or simply soaking up the sounds of nature from their back deck. Whatever your preference, the Greenspace Alliance newsletter will keep you updated on current environmental efforts within and beyond the Cincinnati metro, provide a source of community, and inspire you to step outside and enjoy Mother Nature’s beauty.
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The start of February marks my four-month anniversary as the newly minted Greenspace Alliance Manager. I have thoroughly enjoyed my conversations with community partners and greatly appreciated the insight provided. These conversations have become the framework for creating the Alliance’s first steps forward as a partnership. I am excited to see where 2024 takes us and the journeys we will embark on together! |
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| Cheers, Claire Carlson Greenspace Alliance Manager |
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| Kentucky Waterways Alliance Wins Hydro Flask Parks for All Grant
The Kentucky Waterways Alliance (KWA) received a 2024 Parks for All grant! KWA has spent the last thirty years protecting, restoring, and celebrating unique waterways in Kentucky. The Parks for All grant will provide $14.5K to assist in providing outdoor community engagement opportunities and environmental education for Kentucky residents throughout the state.
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The Parks for All Grant through Hydro Flask supports nonprofits focused on “building, maintaining, restoring, and providing more equitable access to parks.” Grants range from $10K-$50K. Applications for the next round of grants will open in August 2024.
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Exploring Our Region: California Woods |
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Nestled near the Little Miami River in California, OH, lies my current greenspace obsession: California Woods, a peaceful place to recharge. I recommend journeying down the Junction Trail which, in my opinion, is underutilized and underappreciated. It is a great place to begin a trail run or hunt for
Laetiporus sulphureus (a mushroom commonly referred to as “Chicken in the Woods”), which can be found in abundance here. You might just catch me enjoying birdsong as I rest among fallen trees, writing and painting in my secret spot on the creek bed, or looking for fossils. Happy hiking! |
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Partner Spotlight: Cardinal Land Conservancy |
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Cardinal Land Conservancy’s mission is to preserve natural habitats, waterways, agricultural lands, and open space in Southwest Ohio, and the Conservancy continues to grow! They are closing on a 66-acre wetland adjacent to East Fork State Park; nearing the final stages of closure for a 110-acre property in downtown Loveland; and a 15-acre wetland across from Colerain High School. |
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In addition to property expansion, Cardinal Land Conservancy is establishing new trails, restoring a pond at the Loveland property, and planting a “Sound Garden” for nighttime insects and birds. To expand the healing effects of nature, they have also begun to work with mental health professionals to prescribe nature treatment for mental health concerns. Learn more about the Cardinal Land Conservancy and their work, visit their website here.
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Thrive with the ThriveTogether Community |
Co-led by a coalition of regional organizations and agencies, ThriveTogether: A Sustainability Playbook for Greater Cincinnati is a collaborative approach to engage OH-IN-KY community members to leverage funding opportunities and build upon existing energy and climate programmatic planning and partnerships. The ultimate goal, through community engagement and feedback, is to apply for Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) funding through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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YOU (yes, you!) can submit proposals for what you and the communities or organizations you represent would like included in the grant that will be submitted. Once you share your idea, community members can vote for support and comment on it. We look forward to seeing your greenspace protection ideas! |
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Volunteer with the Mill Creek Alliance Water Quality Monitoring Program |
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Since the mid-1990s, water quality in the Mill Creek Watershed has shown substantial improvement. This trend will continue as long as the watershed’s key stakeholders continue efforts to improve the stream and its tributaries. Measuring these improvements relies on consistent quality data to quantify the effectiveness of specific projects and policy changes in achieving water quality and habitat benefits.
The Mill Creek Alliance needs YOU to become a citizen scientist in their water quality monitoring program. Volunteers work on the second Saturday of the month (March-November) collecting water samples and/or conducting lab analysis. Training is provided. Visit the link here to learn more and get started.
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Adventures in Greenspaces |
Explore Benny Vastine Trail at Devou Park |
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The best way to beat the winter blues is to get outside and explore! In the late afternoon and early evening hours, I enjoy venturing out to the Benny Vastine Trail at Devou Park. This trail is short enough for you to return home in time for dinner and long enough to decompress from a day at the office. Enjoy the scenic views of the adjacent ridgetops and the soothing sounds of running water. If you’re feeling adventurous, climb down into the creek bed and admire the delicate, silty layers of sediment and mudstone deposits.
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Green Umbrella leads collaboration, incubates ideas, and catalyzes solutions that create a resilient, sustainable region for all. |
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