There is something refreshing about birdsong after a grey winter. As I make my way through the forest, my mind is soothed by their chirps and trills back and forth across the treetops. Smells of rich soil and freshly sprouted vegetation coat the air with their earthly scents, allowing me to experience the seasonal changes happening within the forest in real time.

Lately I’ve been reflecting on how all things come together in due time, like snow shifting to rain or the branches filling with leaves. As often happens with my walks in the woods, I find connections with the observations I make in the natural world to those within the Alliance. 

It has been a little over two years since I became the first Greenspace Alliance Manager, and I can’t help but feel as if all of the pieces are coming together at the right time. We spent a year networking, a year rebuilding, and now we are embarking on a year of moving forward. Read on to see what we have in store!

Cheers,

Claire Carlson

Greenspace Alliance Manager

Co-hosted by American Rivers and the Greenspace Alliance, this event brings together community partners, government representatives, and conservation professionals for a one-day workshop to explore how collaboration can remove roadblocks, unlock funding, and bring projects to life that improve water quality, reduce flood risks, and build community resilience. The event will take place on Tuesday, March 31st, at Green Umbrella’s Offices, from 9:30 am-3:00 pm, with food and coffee provided by Juniper Seed and Deeper Roots. Parking will be reimbursed. 

While there are many aspects of local government that impact the landscape, there is one role that has particular influence on conservation: County Commissioner. As an elected official within the local government, the County Commissioner is responsible for administering county affairs. They act as the governing body for the county, with their authority and power defined by the state constitution and statutes. Their duties include supervising various departments; managing county finances, which encompasses long-range planning, budget development, and financial oversight; and constituent engagement. In some communities, commissioners address other services including planning and zoning, solid waste collection, and public utilities. 

In Northern Kentucky, 20 individuals are running for County Commissioner seats across Boone, Kenton, and Campbell counties. With sprawling development occurring rapidly across the region, many of us are wondering how to balance the demands of growth with greenspace stewardship. It’s important to know how our candidates plan to balance these two priorities because the elected candidate will have the final say on zoning – the laws that govern how land can be used.

To draw attention to these topics, the Greenspace Alliance is hosting the NKY Candidate Forum: Balancing Economic Development and Greenspace Preservation on Wednesday, April 22 at the Erlanger Branch of the Kenton County Library. We have a few opportunities to participate:

Neighbors in the Know

Cincinnati Nature Center is hosting a new “Neighbors in the Know” program designed to help residents of Clermont County’s fourteen townships become more powerful advocates for their communities by exploring how decisions impact the quality and character of communities.

There are six sessions remaining in this series, with the next one, “Country Roads, Take Me Home” scheduled for April 15. The discussion will focus on how roads are built and monitored for traffic and safety, and how citizens can request improvements and changes. It will feature Steve Kelley, Miami Township Service Director, and Jeremy Evans, Clermont County Engineer.

The spring months are full of opportunities to dust off your boots and sharpen your pruning shears. Below you’ll find a variety of opportunities that will help you reconnect to the natural world around us!

Thursday, March 26, 3-4:30 pm at Buckeye Trace Nature Preserve

Friday, April 3, 3-4:30 pm at California Woods Nature Preserve

In the springtime, sunbeams cascade down through barren branches to the forest floor below, slowly warming the soil still holding traces of winter snow. During this short, sweet sunny time, before the shadows of the forest’s canopy block out the light, spring ephemerals bloom, reminding us that there is light at the end of the wintery grey. 

This two-part hiking series will take you where you can spot these fleeting flowers. Scheduled one week apart to accommodate the evanescent nature of the ephemeral blossom, our first stop will be at the Buckeye Trace Nature Preserve on the western edge of Cincinnati, where spectacular spring wildflowers have returned because of dedicated volunteer restoration. The second hike will take place one week later at California Woods on the east side of the City. Caught at the right time, pockets of this preserve can be found covered in a dazzling array of tiny woodland flowers.

Reply to this email to reach Claire, or for questions regarding membership, visit here or email membership@greenumbrella.org