July 22, 2020  -  View online

Sustainability Spotlight: 

Kroger, Flywheel, Cintrifuse & HCDC Launch SustainableCincy Accelerator

We face numerous challenges on the path to becoming a sustainable, resilient and equitable community - and solving these challenges will require significant innovation. Are you working on sustainable solutions to address hunger, water use and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, responsible consumption and production, and preserve of life below water and on land?

Through it's Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation, Kroger is partnering with Flywheel, Cintrifuse and HCDC to launch SustainableCincy, a six-week, virtual pre-accelerator 

program for startups with innovative ideas to improve sustainability in the region. The program is designed to help you develop a viable business model, a path to scale, and funding strategies. Up to 8 startups will be selected for the first cohort this fall. Applications are open now through August 14.

Help Develop an Active Transportation Policy Platform for Tri-State Trails

Join Tri-State Trails Quarterly Meeting on July 31 to learn about how COVID-19 has impacted trails locally and help us develop an Active Transportation Policy Platform for the upcoming local elections. 

This platform will guide our advocacy efforts over the next two years and we want your input! Come prepared to chat in virtual breakout rooms.

Food Policy Council & Partners Awarded 100k Grant to Advance Equity

The Greater Cincinnati Regional Food Policy Council and the Health Collaborative have been selected as grantees for the Healthiest Cities & Counties Challenge, a program funded by the Aetna Foundation, in partnership with the American Public Health Association and the National Association of Counties. The $100,000 grant will serve in developing a coordinated system to improve food access, affordability and education in the region by convening food access advocates, nutrition educators, healthcare partners and community voices.

The team that will lead the initiative includes Gen-H, a program of the Health Collaborative; Produce Perks Midwest; Freestore Foodbank; and Ohio State University's Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program. Learn more in our press release.

Celebrate National Farmers Market Week, August 2-8

Despite challenges never experienced before, the farmers market community has showcased resilience in our rapidly changing world. Farmers markets have always been a hub for innovation, and we have been at the forefront of adapting rapid solutions to protect staff, customers, and our community in this time of crisis. 

Farmers Markets are essential businesses that increase access to nutritious food, support healthy communities, promote sustainability, stimulate local economies and preserve farmland.

National Farmers Week is an opportunity to showcase the value of farmers markets in our communities.

2020 Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit is Two Weeks Away!

Our 3-day, virtual conference kicks off with an evening keynote by Majora Carter, followed by 21 sessions with over 50 speakers, spread across two afternoons. Check out our full program and register today! We are now offering "keynote only" ($25) and "economic inclusion" (pay-what-you-can) options to make the event as accessible as possible.

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

Donate and become a Green Umbrella member today!

Sustainability in the Headlines

Goal for 34-Mile Urban Trail Around Cincinnati Moves Forward, Fox19

Great Parks of Hamilton County Will Ask Voters for New Levy in November, WCPO

These Cincinnati Parks Are Hosting Free Outdoor Yoga and Fitness Sessions, CityBeat

P&G Unveils Massive Climate Change Effort, Cincinnati Business Courier

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: Fighting Climate Change, Melink 

Ohio Nuclear Bailout Bill Now Center of FBI Investigation and Arrests, Cleveland Plain Dealer

Ohio Recognized as Global Leader in LEED-Certified Schools, USGBC

Greater Cincinnati Firm to Deploy Mobile Vegetable Markets, Cincinnati Business Courier

Algal Blooms to Data Booms: How 'Smart Lakes' Improve Water Quality, Smart Cities Dive

Trump Overhauls Key Environmental Law to Speed Up Pipelines and Other Projects, NPR

Minority Groups More Likely to Have Limited Access to Nature, Washington Post

Professional Opportunities  

Organic Valley is offering Farmers Advocating for Organic grants of $5k to $50k in support of research, education, and advocacy projects designed to protect and promote the organic industry and the livelihood of organic farmers. Letter of intent due August 1st.

Davey Resource Group is co-sponsoring the 2020 Salt Symposium August 4-5, which will focus on the environmental impact of road salt pollution, best management practices and alternatives.

Ohio Development Services Agency is offering low interest loans of $250k to $2.5M to help small businesses, manufacturers, nonprofits and local governments implement energy efficiency improvements through the Energy Loan Fund. Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Greater Cincinnati Foundation is offering Learning Links + COVID-19 Classroom Relief grants of up to $1000 for K-12 projects, events, classroom and after-school programming, and service learning projects to address learning loss due to COVID. Proposals due August 7.

Action Tank is offering a City Council School Program for engaged residents who are interested in running for Cincinnati City Council and/or want a deeper understanding of the City’s government systems and practices to successfully champion new policy. Info session August 13, applications due August 21.

Equasion is hosting the Cincinnati Festival of Faiths on August 23-30, with virtual activities for the entire family that promote interfaith understanding, unity and collaborative social action. This year's theme is “Compassion Through Action: 20/20 Vision for Hope, Healing and Justice.”

Campbell County Conservation District invites cities and non-profit community organizations in Campbell County to apply for the Campbell County Conservation Grant for Tree Planting and Urban Forestry Enhancement. Applications due August 28.

The Nathan Cummings Foundation's Fellowship program will provide three individuals with up to $150,000 over 18 months to turn an inspired idea that advances social justice around climate change and inequality into a reality. Applications due September 1st.

Community Solutions is co-sponsoring Black Farming: Beyond 40 Acres and a Mule, a free two-day conference (in-person and virtual access) on September 11-12 focused on the influence of Black farmers in Ohio, preparing the next generation of underrepresented farmers, and cultivating cooperative business models.

GreenBiz is offering Leading the Sustainability Transformation, a 10-week certificate program designed to give you the competence, confidence and credibility needed to drive innovation for truly sustainable - and profitable - business decisions. Registration closes September 7.

Collective Impact Forum is hosting 2020 Champions for Change, a 3 day online workshop on September 15-17 focusing on the role of backbone organizations in leading collective impact initiatives.

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.