UNDER THE UMBRELLA - News & Updates from Green Umbrella |
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Savannah Sullivan Selected Environmental Advisory Board Chair |
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Savannah Sullivan, Green Umbrella’s Senior Director of Programs and Climate Strategy, was recently selected as Chair of the Environmental Advisory Board (EAB) for the City of Cincinnati’s Office of Environment & Sustainability. The EAB was established in 2023 to act as a resource for the City in its ongoing commitment to combat climate change, improve community health, and position Cincinnati as a leader in city-level climate and sustainability initiatives.
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"The Environmental Advisory Board is packed with passionate leaders, and I'm so excited to listen to the needs of Cincinnati residents and translate our learnings into policy guidance for the City," says Sullivan. |
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| 2024 Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit Breaks Attendance Record |
With 650+ attendees and 90+ speakers, the 11th annual Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit this past Thursday was the largest Summit EVER! Thank you to all our sponsors, exhibitors, presenters, volunteers, attendees, and staff members for making this event a success. |
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Upcoming Green Schoolyards Summit Will Include Student-Led Garden Tour |
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The Aiken Community Garden is the home of a food safety pilot program, which allows students to grow produce in the garden and sell it to CPS Student Dining Services to be used in school meals. |
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School district staff, as well as students, parents, partners, and elected officials, are encouraged to attend the Summit and learn about the collaboration between Green Umbrella, Cincinnati Public Schools, and the City of Cincinnati to implement a district-wide Green Schoolyards initiative. Learn more about the Summit and register here. |
The Green Schoolyards Action Network and the Common Orchard Project are two Green Umbrella programs that have been working together to lead lasting action that supports the transformation of outdoor education in our region. Our collaboration with Cincinnati Public Schools has led to 119 fruit trees planted in orchards at 10 schools and over 1,000 students participating in tree plantings and outdoor learning experiences - and that’s just the beginning!
Consider making a donation today to support local collaboration that prepares the next generation of environmental leaders - and this spring, DOUBLE your impact with a generous challenge match now through May!
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The DeWine administration submitted a proposal to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program that would establish a statewide fund to help electrify government fleets, retrofit public buildings, and install solar generation on city, county, and state properties in accordance with Ohio’s March 2024 Priority Resilience Plan.
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The state’s application estimates the transportation projects would avoid the equivalent of more than 4M metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and 32M metric tons by 2050. The program also would provide technical assistance to agencies, counties and cities. Award amounts are expected to be announced in July this year. |
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A recent report by the city's Department of Community and Economic Development found the city owns about 74 acres of developable land within a block of major existing bus routes and coming bus rapid transit corridors. |
"There is excitement around transit-oriented development; there's excitement around achieving the goals of our Green Cincinnati Plan," Councilmember Meeka Owens told WVXU. "Certainly as we think about opportunities to make our city denser, if we can align where people live with mass transit, that is moving toward the future." |
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The Queer Birders of Cincinnati (QBC) has been providing a safe space for LGBTQ+ people to enjoy nature for about two years. Along with monthly birdwatching outings, the group has hosted bird-themed drag shows, movie and trivia nights, a bird-banding demo and a “Big Gay Picnic.” |
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“Outdoor spaces aren’t necessarily the most welcoming place for everyone. We know that’s true for LGBTQ+ people, but also people of color and disabled folx,” founder Ash Conway told The Buckeye Flame. “Queer people and other groups of people have mental health disparities and there are countless research studies which talk about the benefits of spending time outdoors. So not only are we building community by having groups like this, but we’re also bettering ourselves by being outdoors in nature.”
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Thursday, May 23 from 5:00-7:00 pm HighGrain Brentwood, 9176 Winton Road
Cincinnati, OH 45231 |
May’s Green Drinks will be at HighGrain Brewing’s new space, HighGrain Brentwood, in the former Brentwood Bowl space. HighGrain is committed to their journey towards carbon neutrality, which includes using solar and wind energy to power the brewery and taproom, utilizing electric vehicles for their team members, and locally sourced food.
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Green Drinks is Green Umbrella’s monthly social event that offers an opportunity to network with sustainability leaders from across Greater Cincinnati. This free event is open to anyone interested in climate action issues and getting involved in local sustainability initiatives.
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- May 9 - Perfect Pollinator Planters, Civic Garden Center
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May 9 - An Illuminating Look at Fireflies, Western Wildlife Corridor
- May 10 - Cincinnati Astronomical Society: Roving Mars, Fernald Preserve
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May 11 - Garlic Mustard Pull, Great Parks
- May 11 - May Farm Fest, Gorman Heritage Farm
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May 11 - Book & Boots Reading Club, Hamilton County Conservation District
- May 12 - Flying Squirrels!, Fernald Preserve
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May 16 - Educators at the Edge of Appalachia, Cincinnati Museum Center
- May 17 - Ten Mile Creek Nature Preserve Ribbon Cutting, Clermont County Park District
- May 18 - Mindful Birdwatching, Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library
- May 18 - Bird Banding with Adam McCosham, Western Wildlife Corridor
- May 18 - Great Parks Pollinator Festival & 5K, Great Parks
- May 18 - Family Camp Out, Imago
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May 18 - Moth Night, Fernald Preserve
- May 19 - Habitat Restoration, Western Wildlife Corridor
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May 23 - Green Drinks, Green Umbrella
- May 23 - Why Some Ornamental Plants Become Invasive, Civic Garden Center
Click here for the full Events Calendar. Members can submit events in the Green Umbrella online portal here. |
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Volunteer for the Green Schoolyards Summit |
The Green Schoolyards Action Network is looking for volunteers to help before, after, and during the Greater Cincinnati Regional Green Schoolyards Summit on June 5. Volunteer opportunities include Summit set up/tear down, vendor support, breakfast & lunch assistance, and check-in/greeter tasks. Contact Green Schoolyards Manager Cynthia Walters if you are interested in volunteering.
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In the 2023 Green Cincinnati Plan, the City set a goal of 4000 individuals trained for quality, green jobs by 2028. This webinar will explore possible job pathways and opportunities in the environmental sector through Cincinnati State’s Cooperative Education program, including majors in engineering and horticulture. |
Organizations and workplaces will also gain insights into hosting co-op students and paving the way for future talent. Join us to explore how partnering with Cincinnati State can help meet your organization and company's needs to shape our future workforce. |
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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.
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Green Umbrella leads cross-sector
collaboration to accelerate climate action across Greater Cincinnati. |
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