OES is excited to announce the GCP Seeds of Change Green Workforce Grant Awardees. Through this competitive funding round, six local organizations have been awarded a total of $150,000 to expand access to high-quality, green job training as we advance the 2023 Green Cincinnati Plan’s goal of 4,000 individuals trained for green jobs by 2028. 

 Congratulations to the Awardees:  

• Cincinnati State Technical and Community College - $30,000 - From Classroom to Career: Environmental Engineering Technology for a Sustainable Cincinnati 
• Easterseals Redwood - $15,000 - Building Value Employment Supports 
• Groundwork Ohio River Valley - $30,000 - Green Corps Workforce Development Program 
• Keep Cincinnati Beautiful - $30,000 - Roots to Boots: Green Workforce Pathway Expansion 
• Partnership for Innovation in Education - $30,000 - Launching the DRIVES Workforce Program with Cincinnati Public Schools 
• We Shall Overcome Foundation - $15,000 - CCA Green Construction Skills Training 

The GCP Seeds of Change Green Workforce Development Grants are designed to build equitable pathways to quality careers in the growing green economy—supporting education, technical training, and career advancement opportunities for residents, especially from low-income and climate-burdened neighborhoods. 

The 2026 Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit invites leaders across government, business, nonprofit, and academic sectors to share their ideas and innovations that help our region adapt today so we can thrive tomorrow. 

Green Umbrella is seeking proposals for speakers and breakout sessions, artists and live performers, and academic or professional posters that explore how we can strengthen resilience, accelerate innovation, and build collective capacity for a more sustainable and equitable future. Proposals are due December 31, 2025.

In collaboration with Queen City Commons, we’re excited to announce the launch of new food scrap drop-off sites in OTR, Downtown, and the West End. Residents can walk, bike, or drive to access at least 9 convenient drop-off locations and begin composting household vegetative food scraps. Sign up today for three free months of drop-off service and a free countertop collection bucket to get started at home.  

Locations include:  

 

• Ezzard Charles Park  
• Goose Alley Entrance at Goose Alley/Green St  
• Lytle Park  
• Northern Row Park  
• Piatt Park  
• Pleasant Street North Community Garden  
• Prior St. Alley  
• West End Community Garden  
• Ziegler Park   



Feel good knowing that your food scraps will be locally composted right here in Cincinnati and Hamilton County!

Climate Safe Neighborhoods West End Wraps Up

Residents of the West End collaborated with Groundwork Ohio River Valley, Green Umbrella, and OES to become the newest Climate Safe Neighborhood.

Through the five-week Climate Safe Neighborhoods program, West End residents learned about climate vulnerability and its intersection with their neighborhood's history and demographics. They sought answers to questions like "why is the West End so much hotter than other neighborhoods?" and "how does a global issue like climate change impact the lives of West End residents?"  

Time spent learning soon shifted to time spent strategically planning, as residents, empowered with new knowledge about climate change's impact, began to map climate vulnerabilities and resilience solutions in the West End. Residents used these maps to express their concerns about threats to their neighborhood and envision their hopes for green infrastructure improvements. 

And thanks to MadTree’s Let’s Grow Local event last month, residents began implementing their new neighborhood plan through tree planting efforts. This is just the start of bringing residents' vision of a more sustainable, resilient West End to life! Check out the Storymap to learn more.  

Citywide Sustainability Tour

In partnership with Power a Clean Future Ohio, OES hosted a citywide Sustainability Tour that brought city and county leaders out to see Cincinnati’s climate progress firsthand. From innovative waste-to-energy solutions, to community-focused energy upgrades through WarmUp Cincy, to major green infrastructure improvements like the Lick Run Greenway, and the growing momentum around non-car transportation through the Wasson Way trail and Metro system upgrades, the tour highlighted how partners are working with the City to advance clean energy, resilience, and equity. 

The event was a success, with 42 leaders in attendance, sparking strong conversation and fresh momentum. The City is excited to keep  working with partners to build a healthier, more connected, and more resilient Cincinnati for everyone. 

Pocket Park Playbook Published

New Corner Cans in Mt. Washington

In recognition of America Recycles Day, the Mt. Washington Community Council lit up the Mt. Washington Water Tower with the recycling symbol, showing the neighborhood’s pride and commitment to keeping recyclable materials out of the landfill and supporting a cleaner, greener Cincinnati. 

Last month, OES replaced the old recycling bins in the Mt. Washington business district with bright blue, clearly labeled containers to make recycling easier and more visible for everyone. These bring the city-wide total of new recycling containers to 182 across 10 business districts which will divert an estimated 6 tons of waste monthly!

Partner Highlight - WRAP

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