Informing the Metropolitan Transportation Plan Update OKI’s Greenspace team kicked off the 2050 Transportation Plan update with a fall 2023 webinar and followed up with an extensive survey to better understand the environmental issues in the region.
To supplement our online seminar, survey and in- person site review workshop, we added another workshop with engineers to share the environmental experts’ concerns and better understand the feasibility of proposed mitigation solutions. Data in the EMSM web application platform was updated. Staff also prepared additional functionality to improve decision making.
Supporting Our Partners
OKI staff furthered its support of greenspace work in the region through participation on boards and committees. OKI continues to work with the Banklick Watershed Council; Northern Kentucky Urban and Community Forestry Council; and Taking Root to bolster their efforts in the community.
Staff also supported the revitalization of Green Umbrella’s Greenspace Alliance. The renewed energy has resulted in about 35 active team members representing OKI’s counties. The team has conducted a member survey to rank priorities and a greenprint map, which was approved and named the Regional Prioritization Plan. These efforts have led to Green Umbrella’s first staff member fully dedicated to greenspace.
Staff has supported the Southwest Ohio Air Quality Association MowGreener program, which encourages the replacement of gas-powered lawn mowers with new battery operated mowers. Residents may register online to receive a $100 VISA gift card when they recycle their old mower and provide proof of purchase of a battery-powered mower. Ohio EPA spearheaded this project, with similar programs running in the Cleveland area.
Environmental Mitigation
In application development, and with the Natural Resource Assistance Council (NRAC), OKI staff developed a GIS Screening tool to assist with the evaluation of projects for the Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program. Staff are also working with volunteers at Stearns Woods in Wyoming, Ohio, to develop a mobile app for greenspace management.
Academic Author
An OKI staff member coauthored a book chapter with NKU Environmental Science Professor Kristy Hopfensperger titled “Leveraging University and Metropolitan Planning Organization Partnerships to Support Environmental Planning in Greater Cincinnati Region.” The book was for the Routledge Handbook of University Community Partnerships in Planning Education. It was published in December 2023.
