Welcome to the new school year! As students return to the classroom, it’s a great time to think about how our school systems can become healthier, greener, and more connected places to learn and thrive.

The Green & Healthy Schools Network helps school districts turn those goals into action by connecting them with community partners, educators, health professionals, local governments, and other resources. Whether it's creating greener schoolyards, supporting student and staff wellness, or preparing students for green careers, GHSN helps school systems build on what they already have and take practical steps toward lasting, district-wide change.

Read the latest newsletter to learn more about GHSN and how it can plug into your work, or reach out to Green & Healthy Schools Director Cynthia Walters to get started!

Does the national political conversation ever feel overwhelming? It can be easy to overlook the local decisions that directly affect our communities. County Commissioners, for example, play an important role in county government, including decisions related to budgets, planning, and land use. Questions about how to balance economic development and greenspace preservation are especially timely as communities consider issues related to land use, data centers, agriculture, and conservation.

Green Umbrella's Greenspace Alliance and regional partners are hosting a second forum for candidates running for County Commissioner in Boone, Kenton, and Campbell counties on Wednesday, September 23, from 6:00-7:30 pm at the Erlanger branch of the Kenton County Library. Join us to hear candidates discuss these issues and their perspectives on the future of Northern Kentucky. The event is free and open to the public. Learn more and register here.

What happens when community input turns into action? In Covington, residents identified access to native plants as a priority through the City's Community Advisory Group. On September 2, Green Umbrella's Engagement & Evaluation Manager, Bamidele Osamika, joined Covington Parks & Recreation, Keep Cincinnati Beautiful, and Groundwork Ohio River Valley to help turn that priority into action by distributing native plants to local residents.

Native plants can support local biodiversity while adding low-maintenance greenspace to urban neighborhoods. It's a small but tangible example of how community input can help shape action.

What if conservation research could more quickly become conservation action? That's part of the vision behind Cincinnati Nature Center's new Marjorie & Chuck Drackett Conservation Field Station, which opened September 1 at Long Branch Farm & Trails in Goshen, Ohio.

Designed by emersion DESIGN, the state-of-the-art, net-zero field station includes native seed processing and storage facilities, lab workstations, plant cultivation hoop houses, and spaces for gathering and collaboration. CNC Director of Conservation Cory Christopher sees the field station helping to close the “research-implementation” gap in conservation, creating a resource for homeowners, land managers, ecologists, and others working to protect our region's natural resources.

As extreme heat becomes an increasing challenge for communities across our region, Cincinnati is trying a creative approach to keeping residents cool. The Cincinnati Innovation Team, in partnership with the City's Office of Environment & Sustainability and the Cincinnati Toolbank, is recruiting residents and businesses to host public cooling stations throughout the city. These volunteer-powered stations will provide places for people to take a break from the heat while helping neighborhoods prepare for increasingly hot days. Want to help your community stay cool? Learn more and sign up to become a host.

Cincinnati Parks and the Cincinnati Parks Foundation have unveiled the latest design for a new playground at Sawyer Point, inspired by the remarkable story of how Cincinnati's Lazarus Lizards came to be. The new playground will replace the beloved 1000 Hands Playground, which was destroyed by fire in 2024, and is tentatively planned to open in 2028. Learn more about the story behind the design and see what's planned for this new addition to Sawyer Point here.

Saturday, September 19 | 11 AM-2 PM | Burnet Woods

You’re invited to celebrate children and the many cultures of our world at Cincinnati’s International Children’s Day! Many activities and performances will be happening throughout the day, as well as giveaways, canoe rides, music, disc golf, and a food truck on site. Enjoy a day in the park while learning about new cultures, new hobbies, and what unites us all!

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

The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) is offering funds to stop the invasive spotted lanternfly along with its host, the tree of heaven. State and local governments, parks systems, and non-profits are encouraged to apply, and priority will be given to agencies in the most affected areas. The submission deadline is September 30. Apply here!

The Director of Culinary Operations leads collaborative, mission-driven culinary operations in a high-variability food rescue environment. This role is responsible for the people, the production, inventory, culture, and the safety and for growing the leaders beneath them. As La Soupe grows, this role will be central to scaling production, training new staff/volunteers, and maintaining the quality and standards that define La Soupe’s work. This is a people management role as much as a culinary role. The ideal candidate is an experienced kitchen leader who manages with clarity and coaches with consistency. Learn more and 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.