Program areas at The Ohio Environmental Council
During fy23, The oec's advocacy efforts centered around several key areas, including energy, water, public lands, and democracy. Through our policy and legal advocacy, The oec incorporated The values of justice, equity, diversity, & inclusion and used strategic communications to further its mission. Most notably, The oec advocated for several important renewable energy projects at The Ohio power siting board and power utilities commission of Ohio to ensure ohioans have access to accessible, affordable, and clean energy; advocated at all levels of government for stronger protections against water pollution including efforts to eliminate lead water lines, limit pfas chemicals in our drinking water, and address toxic algae in our water bodies; took bold legal action to stop logging in Ohio's only national forest and fight fracking of Ohio's state parks and wildlife areas; worked with partners and community members across The state to defeat an attempt to end Ohio's 100+ year old tradition of majority rule and make it even more difficult for ohioans to place issues on The ballot. Additionally, The oec worked alongside partners and community leaders to monitor The impact of The february 2023 east palestine train derailment and toxic chemical release on The community, provide ongoing legal resources for residents, and develop long-term regulatory and policy solutions to ensure an Environmental disaster like this never happens again.
During fy23, our communications department engaged with oec members, as well as 24,000+ email subscribers and action takers and 30,000+ social media followers to provide educational updates and opportunities for action to advance oec's programmatic goals. Additionally, our communications team engaged The media, uplifting The policy and legal expertise of our staff and partners.
During fy23, The oec field advocacy department utilized a variety of tactics and leveraged high level relationships and partnerships to achieve victories for The land, water, air, and democracy for all who call Ohio home. Our staff worked with local elected officials, partner organizations, and community members in akron, athens (and surrounding southeast Ohio communities), cincinnati (and surrounding southwest Ohio communities), cleveland (and surrounding cuyahoga county municipalities), columbus (and surrounding central Ohio communities), as well as youngstown and warren (and surrounding mahoning valley communities) to advance climate action and address Environmental injustice.
Events & outreachduring fy23, The oec hosted engaging events for members and The general public, including educational seminars, community conversations, and fundraising events. In may 2023, The oec hosted our annual green gala fundraiser which provided The opportunity to update and engage with our members.
Justice, equity, diversity & inclusionduring fy23, The oec's standing justice, equity, diversity and inclusion committee continued to provide educational opportunities for staff while ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion principles were interwoven in The organization's programmatic work, decision making process, and advocacy efforts. Additionally, The oec continues to work with partners to build a more powerful Environmental movement that is diverse, inclusive, and better reflects The communities in which we live and work. One example of this work in practice is oec's work with The Ohio organizing collaborative to engage voters and advance climate action in The historically redlined neighborhoods of reynoldsburg (in central Ohio).
Emerging leadersin fy23, The oec emerging leaders program executed monthly programming to connect, educate, and mobilize a growing network of over 450 young leaders in central Ohio toward climate change action. Full details of our programmatic work can be found in our annual report: httpstheoecorg2023annualreport