Blog
Southwest Ohio Updates from the Field – November
Letter from the Regional Director:
End of Year Updates – November 30, 2022
Season’s Greetings!
As 2022 draws to a close, I’m looking back fondly on the work we accomplished this year with partners and OEC members to advance environmental priorities in our region. As we move into the New Year, I’m eager to continue building relationships and uplifting the work of local environmental champions. Please read on for some end of year updates and events. Happy Holidays!
With gratitude,
Kylie Johnson
Southwest Ohio Regional Director
Regional Events & Opportunities:
Green Umbrella Annual Meeting & Celebration
December 13, 2022 | 5-8 PM
Location: Digital Futures, 3800 Exploration Ave, 1st Floor
Connect with environmental champions from across the region and get inspired by their progress over the last year. Green Umbrella staff will share highlights from their programs and give you a glimpse into what’s in store for 2023. This year’s in-person gathering will be at their new space in the Uptown Innovation District. Details and RSVP link here.
Greater Cincinnati Regional Climate Collaborative
The Greater Cincinnati Regional Climate Collaborative is open for membership applications! Learn more about the Regional Climate Collaborative, the working groups, the existing and forthcoming projects, and membership benefits. Apply by January 31, 2023 and receive a Founding Member/Partner discount on first-year dues.
The Ripple Effect – Online Course
January 23-March 6, 2023
The Cincinnati Nature Center invites you to move from being a “nature lover” to a “nature do-er” in this free self-paced online course that guides you to use your voice to create positive change for people and nature. OEC’s Managing Director of Democracy Policy, Chris Tavenor, is featured in one of the course videos to discuss the democratic process and citizen engagement! Pre-registration is required by January 18. Details and registration link here.
Regional Updates:
City of Cincinnati
In November, Councilmember Mark Jeffreys partnered with the Department of Transportation and Engineering and pedestrian safety advocates to introduce a Complete Streets Ordinance. This ordinance will ensure that the City considers and evaluates traffic calming measures and pedestrian comfort enhancements during every road rehabilitation. The ordinance is intended to improve the city’s built environment and infrastructure, decrease the city’s carbon footprint, foster communities where people want to gather, and protect the lives of those who wish to move around the city. It was brought before the Climate, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee on November 22 for deeper discussion on what this means for Cincinnati.
Green Cincinnati Plan
Final Focus Area meetings for the 2023 Green Cincinnati Plan update wrapped up in October. To continue tracking progress on the Plan, you’re invited to visit the Green Cincinnati Plan CitizenLab page. The finalized Plan will resurface for City Council approval in early spring 2023. Additionally, you can view the Climate Equity Indicators report—a key resource being leveraged to strategically inform all efforts in the Plan update.
Groundwork Ohio River Valley & Residents Make Climate Safe Neighborhoods
In November, alongside Cincinnati Parks and Madtree Brewing, 74 street trees were planted in Lower Price Hill (which has one of the city’s smallest tree canopies). Groundwork Ohio River Valley’s Green Workforce continues to execute resident-designed climate resilience projects around the city as identified by their plans through the Climate Safe Neighborhoods Program.
City of Dayton: Top 3 Highlights
- The City of Dayton wrapped up an RFP to get an additional 15+ electric vehicle (EV) chargers within City limits. This includes historically disinvested neighborhoods and will ensure there are no EV charging deserts.
- The City is currently kickstarting a project to plant tiny forests on vacant lots across the City. This will increase urban tree canopy and aid with urban heat island effect.
- Lastly, the City has been working on a series of environmental justice projects with residents impacted by Superfund sites in North Dayton. More information on these projects will be shared in future newsletters.
For more information, visit the Office of Sustainability website.