After a national search, we’re thrilled to announce Van Sullivan as our new Executive Director! They previously served as Green Umbrella’s Senior Director of Programs & Climate Strategy. Van has served as Interim Executive Director since February, following the departure of Ryan Mooney-Bullock, who now leads the team at Gorman Heritage Farm.

A lifelong climate advocate, Van has called Cincinnati home for twenty-five years. Being able to do the environmental work they are passionate about is “a dream come true,” says Van. “Serving as Green Umbrella’s Executive Director means that I’m developing climate solutions here for my friends, family, and neighbors.”

Join us in welcoming Van by adding a comment on our LinkedIn announcement!

We wrapped up another successful Climate Action Fellowship with our annual Local Government Climate Action Showcase! Hosted by Green Umbrella’s Local Government Manager, Jamiya Barnett, the showcase highlighted the work by Fellows and their supervisors, including green initiative workshops in Covington; tornado risk assessment in Oxford; sustainable procurement practices in Hamilton County, heat research at bus stops with the City of Cincinnati’s Innovation Team; parks recycling in Mariemont; a greenspace story map in Anderson; student composting and recycling projects with the Green & Healthy Schools Network; and policy work on the ThriveTogether Plan with the Greenspace Alliance.

At the end of the showcase, Brad Johnson, Director of Hamilton County ReSource, announced new job openings for two Sustainability Fellows for Hamilton County. Check out the job postings for the Early Career & Senior Sustainability Fellows at the Green Jobs Board on our website (or see Green Jobs Board section below).

County commissioners play a key role in administering county affairs and act as key policymakers in the community. Their influence includes land-use zoning; developing, implementing, and administering food and nutrition programs locally; investing in facilities that provide food to low-income and vulnerable populations such as schools and public libraries; and more.

Green Umbrella and partners invite you to join us for part two of an in-person candidate forum for candidates running for County Commissioner in Northern Kentucky. The event will be held on Wednesday, September 23, from 6:00-7:30 pm. Topics will include economic development, greenspace preservation, and land use decisions. Community members are welcome to submit questions by September 15 that will be used to craft questions for the candidates.

Join Green Umbrella on Thursday, September 17, from 5:00-7:00 PM at West Side Brewing for Green Drinks on the West Side! Stop by the nearby Westwood Farmers Market to pick up some local produce and say hello to our Food Policy Council on their Summer Farmer’s Market Tour, then head over to West Side Brewing to meet our new Executive Director, Van Sullivan, and connect with others across the Green Umbrella community. Plus, West Side Brewing will donate 10% of event sales to support Green Umbrella. Free and open to the public!

Faith Communities Go Green (FCGG), a partnership with  Green Umbrella and interfaith organization EquaSion, is allied with local houses of worship in the fight for climate action. So far, they have worked with nearly 20 congregations; seven through a pilot initiative and another eight funded by the City of Cincinnati’s Seeds of Change program. Several more houses of worship have conducted energy audits.

Members of FCGG (L to R): Ken Wright, Joanne Gerson, Rev. Melissa Stephens and Anas Malik. Photo Joe Simon.

FCGG is part of Solarize Nonprofits – a collaboration with OES, the City of Dayton, Solar United Neighbors, and RE-volv – that helps nonprofits, public schools and institutions, and religious organizations go solar and take advantage of the federal Investment Tax Credit for clean energy projects. If you’re interested in taking advantage of these solar tax credits for your nonprofit, submit your interest ASAP – the tax credit deadline is coming up fast! Learn more about Solaraze Nonprofits here.

Cultivating native plants is a great way to support your local ecosystem. They use less water, are resistant to common pests, and provide vital food and shelter for native birds, butterflies, and other pollinators. An added bonus: they’re lower-maintenance and hardier than nonnative plants, making them less expensive to maintain for home and property owners.

To support local native plant populations, Covington Parks & Recreation is offering a Fall Native Plant Giveaway on September 2 in partnership with Keep Covington Beautiful and Groundwork Ohio River Valley. Covington residents will receive one free native plant specifically adapted to the region’s local climate and growing conditions. Registration is required to receive a plant. Covington residents can register online through the Fall Native Plant Giveaway registration form.

For the 48 contiguous states, the July 2026 average of 76.89 degrees F came in 0.12°F above July 1936. This makes last month the hottest calendar month in national data going back to January 1895. This means the nation just experienced its hottest month in more than 130 years of analysis, which breaks a record that had stood since the infamous Dust Bowl of the 1930s.

Photo credit: U.S. Department of Agriculture via Wikimedia Commons

The Dust Bowl has been an example of “natural” climate change for climate denialists who do not acknowledge that human action is driving the warming temperatures across the globe. However, the Dust Bowl itself was driven by human actions: decades of overplowing left the land vulnerable when droughts struck. Unanchored by healthy roots and exposed to wind, topsoil blew away, and the exposed earth heated up faster than well-managed land would have – driving the highest temperatures in recorded history. That is, until now.

August 29 from 4:00-8:00 pm | Urban Artifact

Join Urban Artifact, Edible Ohio Valley Magazine, & Cincinnati’s Foodshed: An Art Atlas for the annual Fruit Fest event, where we celebrate the perennial edibles of the Ohio River Valley Region. This year, our expert panel will lead the audience through a conversation about Invasive Species. Come and mingle with friends, check out our Fruit Park Food Map Series, and enjoy a special tasty Freshie made with locally harvested fruit.

Have an event to share? Green Umbrella members can submit events here. To learn more about the benefits of becoming a member, click here.

Calling all Cincinnati youth ages 15-24, we want to hear your sustainability ideas. The third round of GCP Seeds of Change Youth Climate Action Grants opens August 19 and will award $1,000-$5,000 grants to youth with innovative sustainability solutions. From sustainable transportation club events to youth hackathons to upcycled fashion shows, a wide range of projects are eligible for this opportunity. Sign up for the virtual Info Session and complete the Interest Form to stay connected!

Green Umbrella is hiring two Sustainability Fellows (Senior & Early Career) to manage and execute sustainability priorities by working directly with Hamilton County. Sustainability-related programming at Hamilton County includes the sustainability plan, ThriveTogether – Regional Sustainability Playbook, and Green Umbrella membership activities. This year-long, county-wide collaboration will lead to more resilient and thriving communities in Hamilton County through shared resources, equitable engagement, and innovative solutions. Deadline to apply is August 31!

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.