April 15, 2020  -  View online

Sustainability Spotlight

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day

On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans (10% of the population at the time) mobilized to create the first Earth Day, demanding a new way forward and launching the modern environmental movement. This led to the passage of landmark environmental laws, including the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts.

While there may not be in-person events this Earth Day, there are virtual events you can join from home and many actions you can take.

• Great Parks of Hamilton County, Ohio Citizen Action, Greater Cincinnati Earth Coalition and the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden are hosting virtual events (see calendar below)
• Explore digital Earth Day events around the world and ways to take action
• Attend Earth Day Live, a 3-day virtual event
• Join the EarthRise movement

We understand that many people are struggling right now. If you are fortunate enough to be financially secure, we ask you to consider joining our staff in donating part of your stimulus check to support the work of environmental non-profits like Green Umbrella and our members.

Let's Create a Robust Local Food System

The crisis has exposed vulnerabilities and created massive disruptions in global food supply chains and now is the time to invest in our regional food system. The good news is that farmers, organizations and consumers everywhere are stepping up. Community supported agriculture is surging. Farmers markets are adopting additional safety measures and some are offering pre-order and drive-thru pick up. School districts like Cincinnati Public Schools are working with community partners like La Soupe and Freestore Foodbank to feed thousands of families. And across the nation we are seeing a surge in backyard gardens and cooperative victory gardens.

Here are some resources to help you shop local! 

• Findlay Market shopping app
• Local Food Connection household delivery program
• Our Harvest Cooperative offers a weekly harvest box
• Edible Ohio Valley CSA guide, a farmers market guide & list of on-farm markets, artisan markets, home delivery services and curbside pickup options
• Download the 2020 CORV Local Food Guide
• We have also compiled a list of local nurseries 

Our partners at Ohio Ecological Food & Farm Association (OEFFA), Produce Perks Midwest, Ohio Farmers' Market Network and Ohio Food Policy Network are championing six policies to help keep family farms in business, farmers markets open and Ohio families fed. Learn more and take action to express your support to Governor Dewine.

The Greater Cincinnati Regional Food Policy Council is proud to partner with all of these great organizations to create a healthy, equitable, sustainable food system. You can support this work and make an investment in our collaborative efforts with a donation today.

Green Umbrella Book Club to Explore the Benefits of Spending Time in Nature

We have all likely heard that spending time outdoors in nature provides a myriad of incredible benefits to our health and well-being, yet we continue to suffer from a chronic disconnection from nature.

Join the Green Umbrella Book Club to discuss our next featured book: The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative, by Florence Williams. We will meet on May 23 and on June 25.

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

Donate and become a Green Umbrella member today!

Sustainability in the Headlines

We Asked Local Leaders How Covid-19 May Change Us For the Better, WCPO

Tri-State Trails Offer Point of Relief From Social Isolation Amid COVID-19, WCPO

COVID-19 Increases Trail Use Around Greater Cincinnati, Tri-State Trails

14 Ways to Turn Your Coronavirus Cabin Fever into Climate Action, Grist

Demand Grows for Free Groceries, but Packing and Distributing the Safely Can Be Tricky, WCPO

The Power of Parks in a Pandemic, CityLab

The Local Food Revolution Goes Online — for Now, Civil Eats

Community Supported Agriculture is Surging Amid the Pandemic, Civil Eats

Covid-19 Efforts Highlight Community Food Systems, National Farm to School Network

Why Outdoor Farmers’ Markets Matter More Than Ever, NY Times

Dumped Milk, Smashed Eggs, Plowed Vegetables: Food Waste of the Pandemic, NY Times

Oceans Can Be Restored to Former Glory Within 30 Years, Say Scientists, The Guardian

Oil Companies Are Collapsing, but Wind and Solar Energy Keep Growing, NY Times

New Research Links Air Pollution to Higher Coronavirus Death Rates, NY Times

Yet Another Consequence of the Pandemic: More Plastic Waste, Wired

All Hands on Deck to Power a Clean Future Ohio, Public News Service

Professional Opportunities  

Water Environment Federation is hosting a Stormwater Virtual Workshop on April 15, a Stormwater Digital Conference on April 16 and an Odors and Air Pollutants Digital Conference on April 20. 

Inward Bound Mindfulness Education is hosting a contemplative 4-week course for climate concerned teens on Thursday nights April 16 to May 7. No teen will be turned away for lack of funds. 

The Ohio State University Extension Office is hosting a free virtual Agriculture and Natural Resources Madness "Tournament of Education." Educational sessions are held daily at 9:00 am, 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm, through April 30.   

The American Farmland Trust has launched a Farmer Relief Fund to help directly support farmers, with cash grants of up to $1,000 each to help them weather the current storm of market disruptions caused by the coronavirus crisis. The initial application round has been extended until April 23, with grants beginning to be made by May 1. 

The Conservation Alliance is offering grants of up to $50k to 501(c)(3) organizations for projects that engage grassroots citizen action that supports securing lasting and quantifiable protection of a specific wild land or waterway. Organizations must be nominated by May 1 and applications are due June 1.

Like what you see in Green News You Can Use? Share it with friends or colleagues!

Act locally with Green Umbrella and make a difference.

Invest in our future. Become a member at greenumbrella.org.

Did you receive this email as a forward? Subscribe today to get Green News You Can Use delivered to your inbox every other Wednesday.