Recent federal, state, and private actions have resulted in a host of new funding sources for public, private, and non-profit actors seeking to implement a wide range of clean energy projects on their properties. The range of incentives includes tax credits, direct payments, competitive grants, and low-interest loans.

Join the Greater Cincinnati 2030 District and Nikki Vandivort with the City of Cincinnati’s Office of Environment and Sustainability for a webinar from 11:00 am-12:00 pm on Thursday, September 18. Nikki has collated all of the new opportunities and will be presenting a comprehensive overview of the current clean energy funding landscape, including eligibility criteria. This interactive session will provide valuable insights for urban planners, sustainability directors, building owners, and energy professionals working to advance clean energy adoption.

Tucked away in the heart of Landen-Maineville lies a 95-acre hidden gem with connections to the Little Miami River, offering opportunities for mountain biking, outdoor recreation, and fishing. Join the Warren County Park District, the Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance (CORA), and Green Umbrella’s Greenspace Alliance for this month’s Meet a Greenspace Hike at Landen-Deerfield Park on Friday, September 19, from 3:00-4:30 pm.

Every month, Greenspace Alliance Manager Claire Carlson writes a piece for our website detailing the park we’ll explore for the Meet a Greenspace Hike. Check out her blog post on the Landen-Deerfield Park here and see our full list of Stories & Announcements for her past park writings.

This weekend is the Climate Research Incubator’s Sustainability Hackathon with UC students! Teams of participants will have 36 hours to work on a climate problem, develop a possible solution, and pitch it to project partners for final judging and prizes. Stay tuned for Hackathon results!

Special thanks to participating partners: the University of Cincinnati’s Office of Sustainability, Fairfield Sustainability, the City of Milford, and Sustainability Central.

Join us for “Cultivating Futures: Green Careers Begin with School Gardens”, a free webinar on October 30 with speakers from Cincinnati Public Schools and the National Farm to School Network.

From policy-making to work-based learning, this interactive session will explore pathways that connect garden-based learning to green careers. Attendees will walk through a K-12 framework for engaging students in food and agricultural systems, both to meet the growing demand for a trained green workforce and provide viable, rewarding career options for students. Learn more and register here.

La Soupe is celebrating ten years of bridging the gap between food waste and hunger with a unique fundraiser at the Palomar in Walnut Hills. Led by Executive Chef Stephen Williams of Bouquet in Covington, a team of professional chefs will compose a one-of-a-kind, multi-course dinner for attendees. Learn more about the event and register here.

By transforming surplus ingredients into nutritious meals for those in need, La Soupe is a pillar of food security in the community. Last year, La Soupe rescued 1.3 million pounds of surplus food and turned it into 1.2 million ready-to-eat meals.

Interested in learning more about food rescue and donation in Greater Cincinnati? Check out the upcoming Wasted Food Summit on October 29!

Help make the Ohio River shine just in time for America’s River Roots Festival by joining our friends at ORANSCO for the last Ohio River Sweep of the season!

Volunteers will help clean up litter around the river at locations across the region. Prep for a day near the water with sunscreen, bug spray, waterproof footwear, and a reusable water bottle. A pizza lunch post-clean-up is provided. Come be part of the movement to protect and restore our beloved river while enjoying the outdoors. Learn more and register here.

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. To celebrate, they’re offering special throwback deals on September 18 from 10:00 am-5:00 pm: $15 general admission tickets, $1.50 giraffe feedings, and train and carousel rides for $1.50 each, all day long.

The zoo has been a sustainability trailblazer in the region for years, from installing solar panels above parking lots to growing lettuce in hydroponic systems. They also conserve and capture rainwater, compost animal waste, and work to make their events zero-waste.

Don’t miss the 2025 REBUILD Conference on Thursday, October 2 at the Cintas Center! It’s the region’s premier event for high-performance and sustainable building design, bringing together world-class keynote speakers, real-world case studies of exceptional buildings in action, and insightful panel discussions with industry leaders. REBUILD is a dynamic space for builders, buyers, designers, and developers to exchange best practices and innovative solutions. Visit the link here to learn more and register.

Looking for free and affordable food access for you and your family in Walnut Hills? Join Urban Farming Initiative for weekly food distribution events, in partnership with La Soupe and Freestore Foodbank.

Come by to take home fresh fruits, vegetables, and groceries. Tuesdays provide access to food, and Fridays are for food AND fun! For locations, see our calendar here.

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

Interact for Health is partnering with The Contribution Project to award $400 mini-grants to Greater Cincinnati youth (ages 14-25). The Contribution Project is driven by the belief that young people who can contribute to their community feel more connected and build their sense of purpose and well-being.

Young people are invited to propose a project that will impact their school, neighborhood, or community and can be completed in 6-weeks. Examples of past projects include student mental health summits, launching podcasts, sustainability initiatives, and food drives. Ideas can be big or small, new or already in motion—as long as they pursue something that interests them and contributes something meaningful to the community. Applications will be open September 8-30. Learn more here.

Great Parks is looking for an Outreach and Land Acquisition Manager to manage our land acquisition efforts and support community engagement in service of Great Parks’ master planning and capital projects. Bring expertise in land acquisition, community engagement, or both and join a team committed to work-life balance and creating a lasting legacy of conservation and high-quality public spaces in Hamilton County. See a full 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.