In 2023, we were awarded our biggest grant ever: $1.1 million from the Environmental Protection Agency to study energy efficiency and air quality in affordable housing units through a partnership with Over-the-Rhine Community Housing and the city of Cincinnati. The initiative included installing energy-saving technology, like insulation, electric stoves and heat pumps, in about 35 homes in affordable housing in Over-The-Rhine.

As part of ongoing cuts at the EPA this grant was terminated on May 2. “The loss of these funds means that we have to stop work on projects that were  designed to benefit community members that have been historically underserved, and it's preventing us from completing a research study that could then be used to inform how this type of energy efficiency work is rolled out in communities across the country,” Executive Director Ryan Mooney-Bullock told WVXU in a recent article.

To help Green Umbrella maintain momentum on local climate action, we are looking for more community partners and support. Please reach out to us at sponsorship@greenumbrella.org if your company or organization is looking for sponsorship or giving opportunities, or you can contribute personally at our website.

The Local School Wellness Policy (LSWP) Tool Kit is a playbook for a school community and external stakeholders to engage in the district wellness policy process, and we’re hosting an interactive webinar to help you navigate it!

Whether you’re an internal or external stakeholder, city official, organization, or an educational agency, join us for a walkthrough of the toolkit and discover how it can serve as a catalyst for building a school district wellness network in your community. This event is free but registration is requested. RSVP here. Preview the toolkit at this link and come ready with questions.

Webinar speakers include representatives from Slow Food USA, Green Umbrella, National Farm to School Network, Boston Public Schools, and Hamilton County Public Health.

Green Umbrella is thrilled to partner with Green Champions Podcast on a 10-episode mini-series featuring a variety of this year’s inspiring Midwest Sustainability Summit speakers! In the recently released first episode, Green Umbrella’s Charlie Gonzalez talks about his personal journey, highlights this year’s theme and keynote, and shares insights from the planning side of putting together such a large and impactful event. Stay tuned for a new episode each Tuesday, culminating in a live-recorded panel discussion they’re moderating at the Summit.

We’re also excited to announce the live performances that will be featured at this year’s Midwest Sustainability Summit!

Register to secure your spot and be part of our biggest event of the year! Ticket prices will increase on May 22.

The Cincinnati Regional Chamber’s Center for Research & Data, in partnership with the City of Cincinnati's Office of Environment and Sustainability and Co-op Cincy, has released a new green workforce landscape analysis report that explores green jobs in the Greater Cincinnati region, projecting job creation, economic impact, and the workforce needed to support sustainability efforts in line with the 2023 Green Cincinnati Plan (GCP). Brandon Rudd, director of the Chamber's Center for Research and Data, says investments into the GCP’s goals could have an overall positive impact of $11 billion on the regional economy.

Green workforce development is a growing topic of discussion around the region. At the Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit on June 5, Rebecca Kusner of the Ohio Workforce Coalition will moderate a breakout panel session titled “Building the Green Workforce: Sustainable Stories across Ohio”, which will discuss green workforce development in Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati.

Cynthia Walters, Green Umbrella’s Green Schoolyards Manager, holds a hard copy of the “Cincinnati Green Workforce Landscape Analysis” at the press conference last week.

Interested in sharing your knowledge with the region? Submit for the opportunity to share your thought leadership at Cincinnati's premier event dedicated to high performance buildings: REBUILD Conference on Thursday, October 2 at the Cintas Center. Speaker submissions should be in one of these categories: Innovation/The Future of Buildings; Operational Resiliency; Lessons Learned; or Net-Positive Solutions.

Submissions will be accepted through Friday, May 30, 2025.

The 2025 REBUILD Conference unites community members, designers, and innovators to challenge us to RE-Think what's possible in our built environment. Join us at the 2025 REBUILD Conference to explore how technology, process, and innovation can enhance our ability to create meaningful, beautiful, and sustainable spaces.

Not that you need any more excuses to hop on your bike, but May is National Bike Month! Greater Cincinnati is covered in 840+ miles of trails and routes perfect for solo bikers, family rides, and more. Stop by the Purple People Bridge on Friday morning for Tri-State Trails’ 16th Annual Breakfast on the Bridge, the region’s signature Bike Month tradition. Want to try a longer ride? Check out this special Bike Month episode of Cincinnati Edition to hear Lucy May speak with long-distance cyclists about how to plan for the day(s) on wheels, plus bike maintenance tips with Caitlin Sparks from Tri-State Trails and Fraser Cunningham from MoBo Bicycle Co-op.

This month, we are thrilled to celebrate Bike Month with Tri-State Trails and the Cincinnati Art Museum at our May Green Drinks! Have free access to the museum’s new “Cycle Through! Art of the Bicycle” exhibition while connecting with fellow sustainability advocates over drinks and conversation. Discover how you can be part of a growing movement for connected, low-stress active transportation with Tri-State Trails and their partners. RSVP in advance.

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

Great Parks is seeking a Director of Corridor & Trail Development to lead the planning, design, and delivery of high-impact regional trail and river corridor projects. This role oversees a team of dedicated professionals to advance regional initiatives that will connect communities to nature and each other. See the full job description 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.