In the fall of 2024, the Green Edge Fund supported the Western Reserve Land Conservancy with half the cost of a large multi-unit house for the native purple martin bird species. The house, which can provide shelter for 18 nests, is located at the Oberlin Preserve, a 30-acre restored prairie managed by the Western Reserve Land Conservancy. Purple Martins in the Eastern US rely heavily on human-made structures for nesting and have been gradually decreasing in population over several decades. GEF is proud to be a part of promoting local native bird populations and maintaining the Oberlin Preserve as a biodiverse native prairie habitat which benefits Oberlin's human and non-human life alike.

For the past several years, The Green EDGE Fund has funded 10-12 students attending a weekend retreat at Blue Rock Station, a sustainable education center in Southern Ohio.This has been an incredible opportunity for Oberlin students to further develop their values as climate stewards, and receive mentorship from a radical Appalachian worldbuilder.

In Fall 2023, the Green EDGE Fund approved a grant for the Ohio Native Fish Coalition’s informational weather-durable signs in and near the Oberlin Arboretum to increase awareness of native fish in Oberlin’s Plum Creek. The project was submitted by Loughran Cabe, an Oberlin student and Ohio Native Fish Coalition board member who wanted to highlight biodiversity near campus.

Funds were awarded to Shagbark Haven to complete the second phase of their Sugarbush Ecosystem Land which includes the Maple Syrup Ecological Learning Center.

Funds were awarded to Kendal at Oberlin for the purchase and installation of outdoor lighting stations as part of their “Dark Sky” pilot project.

Funds were awarded to Professor Jay Fiskio in order to purchase materials to expand the Grafton Garden, as well transportation for Oberlin students to Grafton for a weekly class meeting.

Funds were promised as a commitment to the Oberlin Public Schools for the installation of solar arrays on the new PreK-5 school.

Funds were awarded to Environmental Dashboard to upgrade the "failing player" computers for the Environmental Dashboard Project.

Funds were awarded to Vel Scott of Vel’s Purple Oasis for the expansion of accessible cooking classes offered by Vel Scott in conjunction with the Vel Scott Healthy You Institute. Funding will aid in the purchase of equipment to offer virtual classes for those unable to attend in-person due to COVID-19. For more information about Vel Scott's Purple Oasis, go to: <https://www.velscott.com/about>

photo from VelScott.com

Funds were awarded to the Oberlin Early Childhood Community School for the renovation of an existing greenhouse facility operated by OECC. The greenhouse renovations will enable OECC to implement a hands-on curriculum on food systems and access.

Funds were awarded to POWER for their outreach to local landlords regarding possible incentives for energy efficiency upgrades in rental properties. POWER plans to facilitate fifty energy audits on rental properties during the two-year funding period, with the goal of decreasing the demand for carbon-based heating fuels and minimizing the financial burden on residents paying for utilities during extreme temperatures.

Funds were awarded to Oberlin College’s Office of Environmental Sustainability (OES) with the purpose to aid in the development of a course for students. This course would use Oberlin College’s commitment to Carbon Neutrality as a case study for the understanding of carbon neutrality