The 13th Midwest Sustainability Summit will be at Sharonville Convention Center on Friday, June 12 as a cornerstone event of Cincinnati Climate Week.

This year’s Summit theme, Adapt Today, Thrive Tomorrow, explores how communities and organizations can respond to a changing world. “Across the Midwest, communities are navigating extreme weather, economic uncertainty, shifting political priorities, rapid technological change, and growing social polarization,” says Charlie Gonzalez, Green Umbrella’s Director of Engagement and Strategic Partnerships. “The Summit asks what it means not just to withstand disruption, but to adapt, evolve, and build systems that can thrive in the face of uncertainty.”

Register for the Summit here and see Cincinnati Climate Week updates below.

Cincinnati’s last Save A Lot, in Roselawn, is on the brink of closure after 15 years of service. This would mean that Roselawn and its surrounding communities (Bond Hill, Amberly, etc) would become a food desert. Green Umbrella’s Food Policy Council is working with partners to get creative and find a solution to save this store. What we need now is Community Voice and Movement to demonstrate that this store is important to us! If you want to be a part of this effort, please fill out this form with your contact information or to submit a public comment about your experience and the importance of this store.

If you live, work, or spend time in/around Roselawn, please fill out the survey here.

We’re excited to welcome the newest member of the Green Umbrella Team: Jamiya Barnett, our Local Government Program Manager.

Jamiya is a community-focused professional passionate about advancing climate equity, sustainability, and inclusive engagement across Greater Cincinnati. Her work sits at the intersection of environmental justice, community programming, and strategic partnerships, with a focus on ensuring that climate solutions are accessible and impactful for all communities. She’ll be working with our member governments as part of the 25 Communities Project, alongside partners for the ThriveTogether Regional Sustainability Playbook, and managing the Climate Action Fellowship program.

Cincinnati Climate Week is June 8-14 – only two weeks away! Here’s an example of what your week could look like:

From family activities and hands-on workshops to tours, webinars, and major regional convenings, Climate Week offers something for everyone across Greater Cincinnati.

Explore the full calendar and plan your week here.

There’s still time to add your organization’s event to the Cincinnati Climate Week Calendar! Visit the link here to add yours.

The Midwest Sustainability Summit is more than a conference — it’s an immersive experience designed to spark creativity, connection, and action. Throughout the day, attendees can explore interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, creative installations, and community spaces that bring sustainability and resilience to life in engaging and unexpected ways.

We’re excited to announce student speaker Madz Gerker as the Student Keynote for the inaugural Green & Healthy Schools Symposium on June 13 at Rockdale Academy. In their presentation, “Into the Wild: A Youth Perspective on Taking Learning Outdoors”, Madz will share research on how outdoor education can improve student learning and mental health.

The Symposium will also feature a keynote by Brenda Kessler of Children & Nature Network, a plenary on green career pathways, interactive exhibits, a farm-to-school lunch, and a closing Garden Party with the Cincinnati Zoo horticulture team in Rockdale Academy’s Learning Garden.

Register today and join a network that is helping shape healthier, greener schools for all.

The 2026 ParkScore report by Trust for Public Land ranked Cincinnati #5 in the nation for playgrounds and recreational centers out of the 100 most populous cities, beating out Chicago, San Francisco, Charlotte, and more. The ParkScore report creates its rankings by measuring the following factors: park access, equity, acreage, investment, and amenities. Accompanying the annual ratings list, Trust for Public Land released a new economic analysis, The Undeniable ROI of Parks, which found that city parks deliver $3 in benefits for every $1 invested.

As part of the renewal of the Rural Investment Strategy, Interact for Health is hosting a series of networking events across the Greater Cincinnati Region that will provide opportunities for community members to meet with their team and learn more about their rural strategy and grant

opportunities. The second in this series, the 2026 Indiana Rural Community Connect, is on Thursday, June 25, from 4:30 to 6:30 pm in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. This is an opportunity for community members to connect with each other and strategize how to make thriving rural communities. Learn more and register here.

After the federal Solar for All program was terminated last year, Cincinnati lost its promised $10M that was slated to help build a solar array on the city-owned Center Hill Landfill, a brownfield in Winton Hills. Despite the cancellation, the city doubled down on the project and dug up new funding sources to keep it alive. The solar farm is part of the city’s efforts to reach its goal of net-zero emissions by 2050 as part of the Green Cincinnati Plan and, when completed in 2027, it will be the largest solar project inside the city limits.

June 13, 2026 | Doors open at 6:00 pm, program at 7:00 pm

Ohio River Foundation is again bringing one of the largest environmental film festivals in North America to Cincinnati once again! The 9th Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival inspires environmental activism and a love for nature through film. The festival will feature a series of short films from talented environmental filmmakers from all over the world. Tickets include dinner-by-the-bite, a cash bar, a raffle, updates about ORF’s programs including the 1,000 Acres Pollinator Habitat Project, and groundbreaking Mussels in the Classroom.

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

This is our very first year launching Cincinnati Climate Week (June 8-14), and you can help us make it awesome. We’re looking for ambassadors to amplify the movement: people who are excited to spread the word, share events, and bring more voices into the conversation around climate action in our city. We’re also looking for a limited number of volunteers to assist with check-in at the Midwest Sustainability Summit – the cornerstone event of Climate Week. See here for more info and how to get involved.

The Executive Director serves as the strategic and operational leader of Green Umbrella, responsible for advancing the organization’s mission, executing its strategic plan, and ensuring long-term sustainability. This role comes at a pivotal moment for the organization. With a strong strategic foundation, a highly engaged and values-driven team, and a respected position within the regional climate ecosystem, Green Umbrella is well-positioned to deepen its impact and influence. To learn more about the role, click 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.