Jan 18, 2023 - View online

Sustainability Spotlights

Be Part of the Green Cincinnati Plan

The 2023 Green Cincinnati Plan (GCP) draft action plans are ready for the public's review. The GCP is the City's guiding plan and community vision to address climate change, bolster the environmental resilience of the city and its neighborhoods, and equitably mitigate and repair the impacts of climate change.

The 2023 GCP is underway with input from stakeholders and community members. To have your opinions taken into consideration for the GCP, click here. Community input is important to ensure Cincinnati is building a sustainable, equitable, and resilient community. Take action and join in!

Faith Communities Go Green Hosts 'Earth As Common Ground' Event

Faith Communities Go Green invites you to join them for a free, virtual workshop to address the climate crisis through the moral teachings of faith traditions.

This workshop will cover empowering faith leaders to advocate for protecting the environment; inspiring faith-based organizations to support implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals; and enabling leaders to communicate with decision-makers and the public.

Sessions are available from 1:00-2:00 pm or 7:00-8:00 pm on Thursday, February 16. Register for the event here.

Maple Sugar Season Is Here!

Now is the perfect time to revel in the bounty of our region's sugar maples! Cincinnati Nature Center is offering events for kids, adults, and families that celebrate maple sugar. From the history of the sugar making process to guided sap-collecting hikes to syrup tastings, there's an event for every age and interest level.

For the true maple lover, don't miss out on Maple Fest on February 18 and 25! This family-friendly event features games, sap-collecting, and even maple beer tasting for guests 21+.

See the whole list of activities and register for events here.

2023 OEFFA Conference: Germinate, Regenerate, Agitate

The 44th annual OEFFA Conference is in Newark, Ohio from February 16-18. As Ohio’s largest sustainable food and farm conference, the 2023 OEFFA conference is three days full of live learning, sharing, and connecting with sustainable farmers, gardeners, and local food supporters across the region.

Formed in 1979, OEFFA (Ohio Ecological Food & Farm Association) cultivates a future in which sustainable and organic farmers thrive, local food nourishes our communities, and agricultural practices protect and enhance our environment.

Visit here to learn more and register.

Does your organization have a green success story that you want to share? Email our Communications Coordinator at kelly@greenumbrella.org with details and you may be featured here in Green News or on Green Umbrella's social media!

Sustainability in the Headlines

10th Annual Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit Announces Keynote Speaker; Is Accepting Submissions, Nominations, Highland County Press

Group Touting Locally Grown Food Selected for Nationwide Project, Soapbox Cincy

Fifth Third Sustainability Business Resource Group Plants Trees for Local Orchard, CSR Wire

2023 Pillar Award for Community Service – Greater Cincinnati, Smart Business

A New ‘Commuting Toolkit’ Aims to Reduce Transportation Emissions, WVXU

Biochar to Reduce Carbon Emissions in Cincinnati, Spectrum News 1

5 Ways Climate Change Made Life More Expensive in 2022, Grist

Cincinnati Is on Track to Have Its Fewest Pedestrian Crashes in at Least Nine Years, WVXU

Gardening Resolutions for a Successful 2023, The Enquirer

Cincinnati Hires Dedicated In-House Crew To Build Pedestrian Infrastructure, Street Blogs USA

Here Are the Best Cities for an Active Lifestyle, The Hill

Featured Events View our full events calendar

January 19:

Native Plants for Home Landscape Use 1:00-2:00 pm, Boone County Arboretum

Christopher O'Hara: Renderings Don’t Count 5:30-7:00 pm, AIA

January 20:

Wilderness First Aid - Day 1 8:00 am-5:00 pm, Boone County Conservation District

CPS Outside Full Impact Team Meeting 11:30-1:00 pm, Green Umbrella

January 21:

Wilderness First Aid - Day 2 8:00 am-5:00 pm, Boone County Conservation District

2023 Winter Hike Series 10:00 am, Great Parks

Historic Barn Walk 12:00-2:00 pm, Gorman Heritage Farm

DIY Natural Cleaning Products 1:00-3:00 pm, Civic Garden Center

January 22:

Maple Syrup Making & Sap Collecting Hike 2:00-3:00, Cincinnati Nature Center

January 24: Recycling 101 11:00 am, Hamilton County R3source

January 25: Owl Prowl 5:00-7:00 pm, Boone County Conservation District

January 27:

Regional Trail & Bikeway Committee 9:00-10:30 am, Tri-State Trails

Annual Moonlit Evening Winter Walk 7:00 pm, Oxbow Inc

January 28:

2023 Winter Hike Series 10:00 am, Great Parks

Swap Meet & Gear Sale 10:00 am-12:00 pm, Adventure Crew

ARE Study Session: Intro to the ARE 1:00-3:00 pm, AIA Cincinnati

January 29: X Marks the Spot 3:00-5:00, Civic Garden Center

January 31: You Too Can Put Solar on Your House of Worship 7:00-8:00 pm, FCGG

February 1: Valentine's Day Card-Making Workshop 1:00-3:00 pm, Civic Garden Center

Professional Development Opportunities

You're invited to participate in the 10th Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit on May 12! We are currently seeking proposals for panel discussions, interactive workshops, short talks, and visual & performance art submissions that address the Summit's theme of "Imagine What's Possible" across a variety of climate-related issue areas. Submissions close January 31.

OKI Regional Council of Governments is asking for input to help partners identify areas with high transportation needs that are disconnected from transit services. The results will identify unserved and underserved areas in terms of access to job hubs via transit.

USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) is providing $200M in assistance to producers for obtaining or renewing a food safety certification in calendar years 2022 and 2023. The application deadline is January 31, 2023.

The Civic Garden Center is hosting a 11 week Community Garden Development Training Wednesday evenings (6:00-8:00pm) from January through April and are free to anyone interested.

Cincinnati Permaculture Institute is offering an accelerated-format Permaculture Design Course over five weekends (from February 18 to March 19). Discounted early registration is open through January 31.

The 2023 OEFFA Conference will take place February 16-18, with more than 50 sustainable food and farming workshops, an exhibitor hall, and networking.

The Indiana Sustainability & Resilience Conference will take place on February 17 and feature speakers, panels, exhibits, trainings, and networking opportunities for climate and resilience advocates.

Miami University & the Cincinnati Zoo are accepting applications through February 28 for their 2023 Advanced Inquiry master's degree program (begins May 2023).

Greater Cincinnati Master Rain Gardener spring 2023 course will be a 6 week course that takes place in March-April.

Ohio EPA is offering free Ohio Environmental Education Fund (OEEF) grant writing workshops. The ones closest to our region are in Lima (April 27) and Circleville (September 14).