June 23, 2021 - View online

Sustainability Spotlights

Reduce Single Use Plastics & Join the Plastic-Free EcoChallenge

Trying to live an environmentally sustainable life can feel overwhelming. Especially when it comes to reducing single use plastics, which seem to be everywhere. Green Umbrella's Faith Communities Go Green team wants help.

They are hosting a free webinar on June 29 with practical tips on Reducing Single Use Plastics and are invite you to join them in taking the global "Plastic-Free Eco-Challenge" throughout the month of July. Simple actions accrue points and help the team compete with hundreds of teams from all over the world to see who can make the biggest impact.

Join Common Orchard for Planting Days at Five Orchards in July

At last week's 'Cincinnati Table' event, Common Orchard Project director Chris Smyth joined a group of urban gardeners and environmentalists for a community conversation about greenspace activism. Over 50 attendees shared genuine connections and ideas for imaginative horticulture and conservation efforts, accompanied by a delicious meal by Welcome Project chef Rose Che.

We're also thrilled to announce that Common Orchard Project has been selected as a finalist for this year's Impact 100 grant round. We hope

to partner with Impact 100 to plant 30 orchards with neighbors in communities with a lack of healthy food access and an abundance of vacant lots! Want to get involved? Join us at our upcoming Orchard Planting Days to help out at five orchards. We'll meet at Camp Washington Urban Farm at 9:00 am sharp.

Seven Breweries Collaborate in Support of the CROWN Urban Trail Loop

Seven local breweries have teamed up with CROWN to support the completion of Cincinnati’s first-ever urban trail loop - the Cincinnati Riding or Walking Network. Ales for Trails is Cincinnati’s first annual brewery passport experience along the CROWN trail network. During the month of July 2021, drink a beer at each of the participating breweries to earn an Ales for Trails t-shirt and be entered to win a grand prize! Please make sure to drink (and ride) responsibly.

Greenspace Gem: Fort Ancient Earthworks & Nature Preserve

Protected by the Ohio History Connection, North America’s largest ancient hilltop enclosure was built 2,000 years ago during the Hopewell era. Earth and stone walls surround 125 acres of a plateau 270 feet above the Little Miami River A mature forest covers the slopes below the walls, with chinquapin and red oaks dominant on sunnier, drier, south-facing slopes and sugar maple and basswood trees dominant on shadier, moister, north-facing hillsides. The property contains a museum, recreated Native American garden, and three miles of trails with scenic overlooks.

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Sustainability in the Headlines

Buying Local Food Helps You, Farmers, Economy and the Planet, Cincinnati Enquirer

Little Miami Scenic Trail to Finally Traverse Beechmont, WVXU

New Covington Plaza Amphitheater and Trail is Now Open Along the Riverfront, CityBeat

Melink Building in Milford is a Green Model for Others, WVXU

With No Grocery Store, Lincoln Heights Residents Are Growing Their Food, Cincinnati Enquirer

Cleveland Provides an Example of What Climate Equity Could Look Like, NPR

Ohio Will Soon Be Home to the Largest Solar Factory Complex Outside of China, CNN

On It's Path to Becoming Net-Zero, Cincinnati Zoo Unveils Big Plans for New 'Elephant Trek', Cincinnati Enquirer

Featured Member Events View our full events calendar

June 24:

Wow, Science is Awesome! 9:30 am, Kenton County Parks

Investing in Environmental Reclamation Can Create Good Jobs 10:00 am, OEC

OEC's Statehouse Briefing 1:00 pm, OEC

June 25: Good Night Fireflies! 7:30-8:30 pm, Cincinnati Nature Center

June 26:

Ohio River Sweep 9:00 am, Great Parks of Hamilton County

Native Plant Sale 9:00 am-1:00 pm, Cincinnati Zoo

Native Garden Tour 9:00 am-5:00 pm, Cincinnati Nature Center

Things that Flutter: Bees 10:00-11:00 am, Metro Parks of Butler County

Zero Landfill Take Away Day 10:00 am-2:00 pm, Cincinnati Recycling and Reuse Hub

Nectar and Honey Night 5:00-6:15 pm, Gorman Heritage Farm

June 27:

Madisonville Garden Tour 12:00-5:00 pm, MCURC

Meet Live Birds of Prey! 1:00-4:00 pm, RAPTOR, Inc.

June 28-29: Green Schools Conference, USGBC

June 29:

Harmful Algal Blooms and the Ohio River 12:00-1:00 pm, ORSANCO

Master Recycler Course - Day 1 6:00-8:00 pm, Boone County Solid Waste

Reducing Single Use Plastics 7:00-8:00 pm, Faith Communities Go Green

June 30: Barnyard Animals with Good Green Earth Farm 9:30 am, Kenton County Parks

July 1:

Stormwater Management 101 6:30-8:00 pm, Communities United for Action

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

July 2:

Barrows Conservation Lecture 7:00-8:00 pm, Cincinnati Zoo

Fun Family Fridays 10:00-11:30 am, Metro Parks of Hamilton County

July 7:

Bike Workshop 4:00 pm, University of Cincinnati

Victory Garden Series: Fall Crop Planning 6:00-7:00 pm, Civic Garden Center

July 9: Hoots & Hops 6:00-10:00 pm, Cincinnati Nature Center

Professional Opportunities

SORTA / Metro is offering grants through the Transit Infrastructure Fund to assist localities with road improvements and increase overall mobility. (due 6/30)

Venture Labs is seeking BIPOC students inspired by climate change solutions, environment, sustainability and clean/climate tech to participate in their annual Fuel 2021 Summit to meet with sustainability leaders and gain network connections for their future careers. (due 6/30)

Cincinnati USA Regional Chapter is seeking local young professionals to help decide the future of our region's transportation network. Members of the Next Gen working group will provide guidance and help lead strategic initiatives. (due 7/9)

Ohio Environmental Council is hosting an Environmental Justice Writing Competition for undergraduate, graduate and law school students. This year's focus is "Our Fight for Clean, Safe & Accessible Water." (due 7/31)

Volunteer with our Members

Volunteer Farm Educator, Farm Intern (unpaid) - Gorman Heritage Farm