May 25, 2022 - View online

Sustainability Spotlights

Participate in the Green Cincinnati Plan Kickoff on May 31st

The Green Cincinnati Plan effort, conducted every 5 years since 2008, has helped establish Cincinnati as a national leader in sustainability. Join Mayor Aftab Pureval, Councilwoman Meeka Owens, and the Office of Environment and Sustainability at the 2023 Green Cincinnati Plan kickoff event on Tuesday, May 31st from 6:00-8:00 PM at the Cincinnati Zoo.

The event will feature a session discussing progress to date and the process and goals of the 2023 update, as well as breakout sessions where you can share your ideas on how best to move Cincinnati forward as an equitable, sustainable, and resilient city. While registration is not required, it will assist with planning the event and ensure that proper accommodations can be made. Register here.

Common Orchard Project Welcomes New Staff, Installs More Orchards

Common Orchard Project is thrilled to welcome two new staff - Sierra Hay, who will focus on volunteer recruitment and community empowerment, and Marie Hopkins, who will focus on community composting.

The team recently wrapped up the spring planting season with two new orchards at Ross High School and the Village Green Foundation. 28 new trees were planted, including apple, pear, pawpaw, jujube and peach. Most installations take place in the fall. To inquire about building an orchard on a site you care about or learn about the many volunteer and learning opportunities throughout the year at our community farm in Camp Washington and

at new orchard sites in the fall, please contact Sierra at commonorchard@greenumbrella.org.

Climate Policy Lunch & Learn: Planning for Regional Climate Action

Join Green Umbrella and the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments on June 1 from 12:00-12:30 PM for the next installment of the Regional Climate Action Lunch and Learn Series.

We will be discussing how local governments and their communities can design plans, use tools, and implement policies to address climate change. OKI will highlight how communities can create energy plans, and leverage tools to plan for flooding, environmental justice, and more. Register here to attend, and check out our last webinar on housing and climate resilience with HOME Cincinnati here.

Save the Date for This Year's Great Outdoor Weekend: 9/24-9/25

Great Outdoor Weekend is an annual outdoor events sampler across 10 counties that presents opportunities for children and adults of all ages, communities and backgrounds to try out the best outdoor recreation and nature programs available in the Greater Cincinnati region. Over 100 events hosted by dozens of organizations are free and open to the public.

Learn more about opportunities to host a free outdoor event or to sponsor Great Outdoor Weekend at greatoutdoorweekend.com.

Sustainability in the Headlines

Grant Program Aims to Stop Gun Violence Through Beautification Projects, Spectrum News

Cincinnati to Request More State Funds to Extend Wasson Way Trail Through Avondale, WCPO

Cincinnati Homeowners Fight Stormwater Damage, Cincinnati Enquirer

Fifth Third Sets New Operational Sustainability Targets by 2030, CSR Wire

The Philanthropic City: Sharing the Wealth to Build Strong Communities, Soapbox Cincinnati

Midwest Sustainability Summit: Strategies for a Climate Prepared Region, Cincinnati Magazine

What Cincinnatians Told Officials Should Be Included in Climate Change Plans, 91.7 WVXU

Steve Pacella Appointed Interim Director of Cincinnati Parks, 91.7 WVXU

Local Plant-Based Foodies Can Rejoice at Cincy VegFest This June, CityBeat Cincinnati

For Some Greater Cincinnatians, Every Day is Bike to Work Day, 91.7 WVXU

Featured Events View our full events calendar

May 25: Worm Bin Workshop 6:00-8:00 pm, Civic Garden Center

May 26:

Ohio River Discussion Series 12:00 pm, ORSANCO

Environmental Planning & Mitigation in Butler County 1:00-3:30 pm, OKI Council

Pies & Plants Hoppy Hour 5:00-7:00 pm, Boone County Arboretum

May 27: Fernbank Invasive Plant Removal 8:30-11:30 am, Great Parks

May 28: 1st Annual Dogwood Festival 2:00-10:00 pm, Agraria

May 31:

Backyard Composting Seminar 12:00 pm, Hamilton County R3Source

2023 Green Cincinnati Plan Kickoff Event 6:00-8:00 pm, City of Cincinnati

Jun 1:

Planning for Regional Climate Action 12:00-12:30 pm, Green Umbrella

HVAC Retrofit Best Practices 12:00-1:00 pm, USGBC Ohio

Jun 2:

Creeking in the Parks 10:00 am-12:00 pm, MetroParks of Butler County

Freedom Birders: Birding for Freedom & Justice 7:00-8:00 pm, Lloyd Library

Jun 3: Music Under the Moon 7:00-10:00 pm, Cincinnati Nature Center

Jun 4: National Trails Day!

Compost Bin Sale! 8:00 am-1:00 pm, Hamilton County R3Source

Alley Ronde: 100 Alley Bike Ride 9:00 am, Spring in Our Steps & Queen City Bike

National Trails Day Celebration 9:00 am-2:00 pm, Clermont County Parks

Connect with Nature Day 10:00 am-2:00 pm, UC Center for Field Studies

June 5: Cincinnati Trail Fest 2022 12:00-8:00 pm, Cincinnati Parks

June 8: Power of Nature Photography 7:00-8:00 pm, Lloyd Library

June 9: Keynote: Community Engagement for Impact 5:30-7:00 pm, AIA Cincinnati

June 10: Wild & Scenic Film Festival 6:30 pm, Ohio River Foundation

Professional Opportunities

The City of Cincinnati is updating the Green Cincinnati Plan, a comprehensive set of goals and recommendations to address climate change and advance the sustainability, equity, and resilience of the city. Help shape the next iteration of the plan by completing the city's community climate and climate action recommendation surveys today.

Hamilton County R3Source is hosting their Spring 2022 Community Compost Bin and Rain Barrel Sale (place orders by 6/2, pick up on 6/4). Attend one of their composting seminars to receive a $20 off coupon.

Keep Cincinnati Beautiful is offering Safe & Clean Grants of $1,000 to $10,000 to fund community-driven problem-solving projects of all kinds, thanks to over $500,000 in funding from the City of Cincinnati's Safe & Clean Neighborhood Fund (apply by 6/3 for this round).

Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA) is offering Transit Infrastructure Fund (TIF) grants to fund roads, bridges, sidewalks, and more, throughout Metro’s Hamilton County service area (due 6/30).

The City of Cincinnati offers Energy Equity Grants to support energy efficiency upgrades in low-income multifamily buildings and provide energy efficiency education for renters and building owners (tenant programs ongoing; property owners apply by 7/1).

Cincinnati Parks is offering the opportunity to become an Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist through a research-based education program supported by OSU that runs 9/10-11/12.

emersion DESIGN is co-hosting the annual ReBuild conference on 10/5, focused on sustainability issues and business solutions. Register today to hear from national industry leaders at this full-day conference in Sharonville.