In an executive order on April 8, President Trump ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi to “stop the enforcement of State laws” on climate change. During his first term, states and cities emerged as a potent counterweight to the White House’s retreat from climate action, and this executive order aims to defang climate policies at the state and local levels.

As more news like this emerges every week, we are doubling down on our commitment to local, actionable, and impactful climate work. We want our residents and local communities to know how to protect against threats like flooding and high energy costs that are pummeling vulnerable households and government emergency budgets.

Join us in supporting local climate action priorities by making a donation or recurring gift today.

Green Umbrella is excited to share our founding government members as the first set of jurisdictions that will participate in our 25 Communities Project. These five communities are climate action leaders and support the movement towards building a resilient, equitable and thriving region:

Stay tuned: we will announce the 20 new communities in the coming months before the project kickoff in July. Want to join the cohort? For more information about the project and details on participation, contact Van Sullivan at van@greenumbrella.org.

The 2025 Midwest Sustainability Summit is shaping up to be our most exciting event yet! This year’s program features a powerful keynote by Indigenous scholar Dr. Lyla June Johnston, a thought-provoking plenary panel on The Power of Sustainable Stories, and 20 dynamic breakout sessions showcasing sustainability champions from across the Midwest—spanning local governments, corporations, and grassroots communities.

You’ll find a wide range of topics to dive into, including: Indigenous Leadership, Community-Led Research, Green Workforce Development, Building Electrification, Unlocking Funding, Food & Agriculture, Sustainable Apparel and more. Check out the newly released program and register today to reserve your spot.

We want to hear your stories! Share a time you felt really connected to nature or an experience that helped shape your relationship with nature. Excerpts will be featured in an interactive art installation at the Summit. You can share your story by text or by audio recording.

All Else Pales: 2 is a powerful and timely group exhibition presented by Studio Kroner that brings together artists, poets, scientists, and community organizations to explore the human impact on our environment—and inspire action.

Opening April 17, 2025, and running through May 24, this multidisciplinary exhibition bridges art, science, and sustainability with thought-provoking work from local, regional, and national artists. From sculpture and installation to photography and spoken word, All Else Pales: 2 invites audiences to reflect on the climate crisis and envision new possibilities.

Programming will include an artist talk on Saturday, April 19, with out-of-town exhibiting artists, and one on Saturday, May 3, with in-town artists, as well as panel discussions on environmental justice and climate equity, performances, and poetry throughout the run of the show.

RAPTOR Inc. hosts an Open House on the last Sunday of each month to offer visitors the opportunity to learn about birds of prey native to our region and support local wildlife conservation efforts. From 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, guests can explore the organization's facilities, meet their avian ambassadors, and engage with highly skilled educators.

While admission is free, donations are welcomed to support the organization's mission of rehabilitating injured birds of prey and providing environmental education. The 2025 Open House series runs from April 27 through November 30. 

Mt. Auburn Presbyterian Church will host an interfaith Earth Day celebration on April 27, bringing together six different faith traditions to honor our shared responsibility toward the planet. The event, co-sponsored by the Sierra Club Miami Group, offers attendees a unique opportunity to explore how different spiritual traditions approach environmental stewardship. The service will feature contributions from Jewish, Catholic, Zoroastrian, Quaker, Buddhist, and Islamic faith leaders who will share blessings, readings, and messages highlighting their traditions' perspectives on caring for the Earth.

Cincinnati officials are looking for public feedback ahead of potential changes to zoning code related to solar energy. Current zoning code doesn’t address residential solar, but officials want to hear from residents before suggesting new rules. The goal of updating zoning code is to make it easier for property owners to install solar power. A draft ordinance with solar requirements could be ready as early as this summer. Take the survey and share your feedback here.

Join us for the first Sustainability Breakfast of 2025 hosted by the Greater Cincinnati 2030 District! Cincinnati-based solar and energy efficiency firm Sustainergy Cooperative will present on “How to be Solar Smart.” This event is to help homeowners, small business owners, and anyone else interested in eliminating their energy bills and learning how to install solar.

Start your morning with engaging networking opportunities, a light breakfast by Juniper Seed, premium brews (coffee by Deeper Roots and assorted teas), and thought-provoking presentations from industry leaders. Get tickets here.

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

Over 125 exhibitors, local music, local vegetarian foods, and Madtree Brewing Company’s craft beer make the Greater Cincinnati Earth Day Festival one of the best environmental education events in the region.

Volunteers are needed on the day of the event to help make it a success! This is a community event for not-for-profit organizations, businesses, government agencies, and individuals from the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana region who work cooperatively and actively to promote the beauty and environmental quality of the Tri-State. Find more information here.

Green Umbrella has an available opportunity to manage its Food Policy Council program. The Greater Cincinnati Regional Food Policy Council brings together stakeholders to create a resilient regional food system together through policy and systems change. Green Umbrella is seeking a lead staff member for this program to unite and coordinate the activities of the Council and support Green Umbrella membership on food systems and policy actions. 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.