On February 6, key leadership from Cincinnati Public Schools, the City of Cincinnati, and partner organizations convened to create plans for maintaining existing outdoor education spaces before breaking ground on new sites.

Organizations and stakeholders are collaborating to achieve the education goals of the Green Cincinnati Plan, which includes all CPS schools having safe and accessible outdoor learning space by 2028. 

The meeting was moderated by Green Umbrella’s Cynthia Walters and Kirsten Brademeyer from Keep Cincinnati Beautiful and supported by the office of Council Member Meeka Owens. As Council Member Meeka Owens said via video call, “We solve problems best when we come around the table together.”

Groundwork Ohio River Valley and Green Umbrella are actively seeking residents of Winton Hills in Cincinnati, OH to participate in a Community Advisory Group (CAG). The CAG is a PAID focus group aiming to address issues like flooding, heat, air pollution. No experience is needed to participate. CAG members must be willing to meet in person for at least an hour and a half for five weeks and be at least 14 years old to participate. If you have questions, contact CSN Director at Groundwork Ohio River Valley Kelsey Hawkins-Johnson. Apply here.

As you start planning your spring garden, don’t forget about the trees! First: Fruit Tree Pruning & Care on March 1 at Camp Washington Urban Farm. This is a core skill for caring for fruit trees around your home. Next: Fruit Tree Grafting & Propagation on March 22, teaching you how to cultivate your own fruit trees by learning this ancient practice. If you have a favorite variety you can’t find for sale, or have a beloved tree that you want to duplicate before it is no more, this is a great opportunity. These classes will be led by Common Orchard Project Director Chris Smyth.

The 3^rd annual Bike & Trail Expo, hosted by the Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance (CORA) and MadTree Brewing will be on Saturday, March 8 from 10:00 am-3:00 pm at MadTree Brewing. Attendees can browse nearly 70 exhibitors of cycling and hiking gear, outdoor equipment, and adventure-ready vans and campers.

The Expo is a free and family-friendly event where folks can connect with a community that loves the outdoors.

Because climate change is such a complex and encompassing issue, it can be intimidating to know how or where to start. Yale Climate Connections, an initiative of the Yale Center for Environmental Communication and the Yale School of the Environment, has launched a Climate Solutions Hub where individuals can find different ways to get started or travel further on their climate action journey. With different sections on topics like Travel, Home, Work, Money, and more, you can choose the actions that make the most sense for you.

The Civic Garden Center is a hub of community and information on all things garden. This spring, they have a myriad of opportunities to learn more about how to care for your yard, lawn, garden beds, and more. From seed starting and managing rainwater to beginning beekeeping and backyard egg production, find your next hobby on their class schedule.

Hamilton County ReSource and Faith Communities Go Green are working with leaders from faith community organizations in Hamilton and surrounding counties to partner in a new waste reduction project to divert residential and commercial food scraps from the landfill. They welcome involvement of houses of worship and other organizations to participate as public-private composting facilities throughout the region. Register here for the in-person meeting at Hamilton County ReSource on March 5.

Click here for the full Events Calendar. Members can submit events in the Green Umbrella online portal here.

The Contribution Project provides $400 to young people to help them make a positive difference in their community. For Spring 2025, there are 50 spots open thanks to a generous grant from Interact for Health. Past projects have included making care packages for patients at a research center; building birdhouses to combat habitat loss; and hosting a Community Nutrition Day. Applicants must be between 14-25 years old and living in the 20-county area surrounding Cincinnati (including in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana). Applications are due February 21.

The Trail Program Manager will oversee trail development, implementation, and maintenance projects, and provide leadership for the trail specialist crew. This role will ensure all projects meet the highest standards of sustainability, environmental stewardship, and user experience. The ideal candidate loves to work with people and is adept at managing all phases of trail development, implementation, and maintenance.

See a full job description and how to apply here.

Have an event, volunteer opportunity, or job posting to share? Green Umbrella members can submit them via the online Membership Portal. To learn more about the benefits of becoming a member, click here.