November 25, 2020  -  View online

Sustainability Spotlight: 

Let's #OptOutside and #RecreateResponsibly

It's amazing what a couple hours outside can do for your sense of well-being. Give yourself some space and #OptOutside on Black Friday (and throughout the year!). Plan ahead to #RecreateResponsibly with these simple guidelines and resources from REI for taking care of our outdoor spaces, ourselves and fellow visitors at a time when these spaces are seeing unprecedented levels of use and enjoyment.

Cincinnati Rotary Club Launches Sustainable City Series on December 1

Cincinnati Rotary Club is collaborating with the city and Green Umbrella to present a free, five-session series highlighting the high-impact work already underway in our region. The first session, Cincinnati's Breakthroughs, Rotary's Resolve, will focus on the bold goals and rapid progress that's garnered Cincinnati national recognition and new environmental initiatives that Rotary is now encouraging worldwide.

Seeking Community Voices for Healthy Food Access Focus Groups

The Food Policy Council is seeking residents of 8 Cincinnati neighborhoods (Walnut Hills, Avondale, Bond Hill, Mt. Auburn, S. Cumminsville, Millvale, N. Fairmont and S. Fairmont) to participate in 90-minute focus groups on health food access and nutrition education in Cincinnati. Focus groups will take place via Zoom in early December as part of a project aiming to amplify community voices in the governance of food movement organizations in the region. Contact Annabelle to volunteer.

GU's 2020 Annual Meeting and 2021 Sustainability Summit

Connect with other GU members, hear what we've been up to in 2020 and learn what's in store for 2021 at our Annual Meeting on December 14 from 9:30 to 10:30 am. We'll start off with a high-level review from staff, then breakout to dive deeper into the impact team or initiative of your choice.

Save the date for the 2021 Midwest Regional Sustainability

Summit, May 12-14, which will focus on Accelerating Progress: The Path to 2030. Our call for session proposals will open on Tuesday, December 1 and will close on January 10.

Local Permaculture Experts Envision the Potential of Cities and Suburbs

Learn how permaculture design principles can help us transition our cities, suburbs, farms and forests in the Lloyd Library's recent series, The Potential of Permaculture. Featuring local experts sharing exciting projects underway and their vision for our region, Part 1 focuses on Cities and Suburbs and Part 2 focuses on Common Orchards and Regenerative Farms. 

Make an investment in the sustainability and resiliency of our region. 

Donate and become a Green Umbrella member today!

Sustainability in the Headlines

How to Do Thanksgiving With Less Waste, New York Times
SustainableCincy Rolls Out New Six-Week Accelerator, Cincinnati Business Courier

Mercantile Library Explores What It Takes to Be a Healthy City, WVXU

LEED Platinum Cincy Home Perfect for Quarantine, Soapbox Cincinnati

Greater Cincinnati Office Building Now the ‘Healthiest’ in Ohio, Cincinnati Business Courier

Cincy’s ‘Heat Islands’ Disproportionately Affect Lower-Income & Black Neighborhoods, CityBeat

What Biden’s “Building Back Better” Plan Could Mean for the Ohio Valley, Ohio Valley ReSource

Calculating the Costs of Climate Change in the Waste, Energy Sectors, Waste Dive

Emerging Leaders: Building the Future of the Clean Economy Starts Now, GreenBiz

Learning How to Talk: What Climate Activists Must Do in the Biden Era, Yale 360

5 Ways Businesses Can Take Action to Reduce Environmental Racism, GreenBiz

Professional Opportunities   

City Parks Alliance Equitable Park Funding Hub provides easy access to information on funding sources for parks and recreation in low-income communities and communities of color.

Boone County Conservation District is offering 2020-2021 Education Grants for teacher or student led school projects that foster learning about conservation and our environment.

Taking Root is hosting the Regional Tree Canopy Professionals Seminar on December 3 with keynote by Dr. Kathleen Wolf on the influence of trees on human health and well-being.

ACEEE is hosting the Energy Efficiency and Climate Policy Forum on December 3 which will explore key steps and policies to reduce energy use and emissions by 50% by 2050.

City of Cincinnati Energy Equity Programs provide funding & education for energy efficiency upgrades in multifamily buildings for owners and tenants. Applications due December 4.

Kids Gardening is offering a 2021 Youth Garden Grant to support school and youth educational garden projects. Applications due December 18.

Boone County Conservation District is offering two $1,000 Student Scholarships to college students enrolled in a major related to the field of conservation. Applications due January 31.

Ohio EPA Recycling & Litter Prevention Program supports communities, nonprofits, businesses and academic institutions that initiate or expand recycling. Applications close February 5.

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