December 8, 2021 - View online

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Sustainability Spotlights

Save the Date: 2022 Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit

Each year, the Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit brings together hundreds of passionate leaders to share inspiring solution-oriented ideas that propel us toward a healthier, more resilient future. We are thrilled to announce that in 2022 the Summit will return to Xavier University's Cintas Center as an in-person, hybrid event on Thursday, June 16th.

Our 2022 theme will explore Emergent Strategies for an Equitable, Climate Prepared Region. We are now accepting proposals for panel discussions, interactive workshops, and short talks, as well as field trips

and community events for the day after the conference. Check out our sponsor and exhibitor opportunities. Award nominations are also now open for individuals and organizations that have made outstanding strides in impact, innovation and leadership. Learn more!

Seeking Great Ideas for Building Neighborhood Food Security

Do you have a great idea for building food security at the neighborhood level? There is support available to make it happen! The System to Achieve Food Equity (SAFE) network is soliciting applications for community interventions in Avondale, East Price Hill and Lower Price Hill to ensure all children have the food that they need to grow, develop, learn and thrive.

Green Umbrella's Greater Cincinnati Regional Food Policy Council is a partner in the network, which is based at Cincinnati Children's Hospital and Medical Center. Both individuals and organizations can submit applications online on

a rolling basis. Grants will be awarded through a Shark Tank-like assessment and investment process with input from neighborhood leaders. View this document for more information, share widely, and contact the Food Policy Council if you have questions.

CPS Outside Spotlight: Lizzy Chirlin, Hays Porter Elementary School

After children in Lizzy Chirlin’s neighborhood asked her if the fruit that had fallen from a crab apple tree was safe to eat, she approached the principal at Hays Porter Elementary School about starting a garden. Lizzy began the school garden in 2019 to offer a bounty of nutritious food and provide outdoor exercise for students. She continues to lead the school garden effort with help from partners MyWhy and Civic Garden Center.

Fifth grade science students are often found in the outdoor learning space and an afterschool

garden club has been formed for students to harvest fresh produce, prepare dishes and taste a variety of different foods. Lizzy’s dedication helps Cincinnati Public Schools in achieving the CPS Outside vision that all school children have equal access to outdoor experiences.

Celebrate Highlights from 2021 at Green Umbrella's Annual Meeting

There's still time to register for our annual meeting, which will be on Tuesday, December 14 from 4:00-5:00 pm. Join us for a virtual celebration to end another exciting year of growth, challenge and accomplishment. We'll be sharing highlights from each of our programs and a glimpse into what's in store for 2022.

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Sustainability in the Headlines

Including Communities of Color in Efforts to Mitigate the Effects of Climate Change, WVXU

Cincinnati Council Adding Committees Focusing on Climate and Housing, WVXU

“When Are You Ever Going to Fix This?!”: Flooding, Sustainability, Resiliency, and Equity, ICMA

Silverton Wants to Be Greener, 2022 Budget Includes More Sustainable Initiatives, WVXU

Neighborhood Grocery Store Now Open in Lower Price Hill, Local 12

New Program Helps People Pay Cincinnati Water Bills Dating Back to March 2020, WVXU

State Providing Grants for 13 Wetland Projects That Will Benefit the Ohio River, Cleveland.com

In Southwest Ohio, Technology Is Driving Changes in Food Production, WYSO

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Expands Beyond 34 Circular Economy Initiative, Waste 360

Gerrymandering Is a Climate Problem, Yale Climate Connections

Featured Events View our full events calendar

December 8: Climate Advisory Group Community Listening Session 6:00-8:00 pm, Groundwork ORV, Green Umbrella, City of Cincinnati & University of Cincinnati

December 8-9: First Annual Ohio Energy Conference Green Energy Ohio

December 9:

Show and Tell on the Farm - Winter Wreaths 10:00-11:00 am, MetroParks of Butler County

Statehouse Rally to Repeal Coal Subsidies 12:00-1:00 pm, Ohio Citizen Action

December 10: The Gift of Wonder: A History of Nature Books for Children (Opening Reception) 5:00-7:00 pm, Lloyd Library & Museum

December 11:

Winter Animal Story Hike 10:00-11:30 am, Cincinnati Parks

Winter Wonders Hike 11:00 am-12:00 pm, MetroParks of Butler County

Lost Railroad Hike 1:00-3:30 pm, Cincinnati Parks

December 14: Green Umbrella Annual Meeting 4:00-5:00 pm, Green Umbrella

December 15:

Diversity Leadership Symposium 8:00 am-12:00 pm, Fifth Third Bank

Vacuum Seeder Construction Workshop 1:00-3:00 pm, Agraria

Building Soil Health, Virtual Strategy Meeting 7:00-8:30 pm, OEFFA

December 16: Regional Tree Canopy Professionals Seminar 9:00 am-4:30 pm, Taking Root

December 17: Stories by the Fireside 10:30 am, Great Parks of Hamilton County

December 18:

Holiday Open House 12:00-5:00 pm, Lloyd Library & Museum

French Park Full Moon Walk 5:00-6:30 pm, Cincinnati Parks

Professional Opportunities

Cincinnati’s energy burden rates are higher than 90% of large US cities. With your help, the City aims to achieve a 10% reduction in energy burden through innovative, creative, market-based energy efficiency solutions. Ideas you share will help form funding opportunities offered by the City in the near future. Please provide your input using the Request for Information here. Please share broadly (due 12/15).

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.

Taking Root is hosting the 2021 Tree Professionals Seminar on 12/16. See the program of speakers and register here.

Hamilton County R3SOURCE offers Infrastructure Grants to help communities, schools, non-profits and businesses build waste reduction infrastructure; and Waste Reduction Innovation Grants to help communities and organizations implement waste reduction, reuse, food rescue, composting, and recycling programs in Hamilton County.

Ohio EPA is offers grants through its Diesel Mitigation Trust Fund (DMTF) program for the installation of publicly available DC Fast Charging EV charging stations in 26 Ohio counties.

OEFFA is hosting their 43rd annual conference (2/12 virtual; 2/17-2/19 in person) with four days of learning, sharing, and networking for farmers, gardeners, homesteaders, and others committed to local food, sustainable agriculture, and green living.