Youth-Led Change: Groundwork ORV Green Teams Impact Cincinnati and Beyond 💪🌿
Green Workforce Aug. 4, 2025
This summer, Groundwork Ohio River Valley (ORV) continued its mission of building a more equitable and sustainable Cincinnati region—by investing in the power of youth. Through the Green Team Program, Groundwork ORV employed 98 high school youth (ages 14–18) and 19 young adult leaders, who worked on the front lines of environmental restoration and community resilience.
From clearing invasive species and maintaining green infrastructure to installing garden beds and filming community stories, our youth are taking action and building careers in the green sector—right here in their own neighborhoods.
Summer 2025: By the Numbers
This summer, Groundwork ORV youth showed up ready to work—and left their mark across Cincinnati. See the impact below!
16 acres of invasive species cleared — improving the health of local parks, trails, and natural areas
3,025 pounds of trash removed — reducing pollution and improving public spaces across Cincinnati
263 hours of professional development — including workshops, field experiences, and skill-building sessions
3 pollinator habitats maintained — supporting local biodiversity and ecosystem health
5 raised garden beds constructed — expanding access to urban agriculture and fresh food
282 vegetable starts — supplying gardens and food-focused projects throughout the city
55 gardening activities completed — giving youth hands-on experience in growing, maintaining, and harvesting
These numbers aren't just stats. They're a reflection of real dedication and next-level teamwork from a group of youth who showed up ready to make a difference.
Neighborhood-Based Environmental Leadership
Every Green Team site worked with community partners to address environmental challenges while learning skills in teamwork, problem-solving, and green job readiness. Highlights include:
Cincinnati Zoo Green Team: Installed a garden bed at the Rockdale Urban Learning Garden to provide a pollinator habitat.
Madisonville Green Team: Grew vegetables for the local community and gained hands-on experience in food justice and urban farming.
Winton Hills Green Team: Removed invasive honeysuckle to restore local green spaces.
Great Parks Green Team: Engaged in trail work to build land stewardship and outdoor skills.
Oyler Media Green Team: Filmed a youth-led documentary of the summer season, installed green roof irrigation with Green Corps
Mt. Echo Green Team: Maintained a pollinator garden with Brandon Reynolds from Bee the Keeper, Keep Cincinnati Beautiful, and Civic Garden Center at Evans Field in Lower Price Hill.
Professional Development Partners
Green Team youth participated in career readiness and environmental education workshops hosted by local organizations committed to youth empowerment and green workforce development. A special thank you to:
Thomas More Biology Field Station – field-based ecological learning
Carriage House Farm – sustainable agriculture and food systems
Cincinnati Urban Promise – leadership and life skills training
Superior Credit Union – financial literacy and budgeting skills
Imago – place-based nature connection and environmental education
From Cincinnati to Yellowstone
In a proud extension of this summer’s impact, eight Groundwork ORV youth were selected to travel to Grand Teton National Park to work directly with National Park Service staff on conservation projects.
Additionally, former Green Team member Valentino Sanders has advanced to a national leadership role, serving as a Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) Crew Leader in Yellowstone National Park. The YCC program offers young people opportunities to develop leadership, job skills, and a deeper connection to nature through immersive service experiences in the nation's most iconic natural spaces.
Check out Valentino's pre-YCC interview here!
These are the pathways Groundwork ORV is building—pathways from local impact to national leadership.
A Special Thank You to Our Community Partners!
Groundwork ORV’s work is deeply rooted in collaboration. Our 2025 Green Team season was made possible through the generous support and partnership of these organizations:
Aiken New Tech High School
Bee the Keeper
Cincinnati Parks
Cincinnati Recreation Commission
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Community Learning Center Institute Cincinnati
Duke Energy Fdn
Great Parks of Hamilton County
Greater Cincinnati Foundation
Interact for Health
Lighthouse Youth & Family Services
L’Oreal Foundation
Meshewa Foundation
Norfolk-Southern
Oyler School
REI
Schiff Foundation
Urban Farming Initiative
US Energy Foundation
Victoria Houlihan Charitable Trust
