During the 16th Annual Inspiring Efficiency Awards Dinner and Gala, the Inspiring Efficiency Impact Award was presented to the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s Light Up Avondale Program. The Impact Award is presented to an organization that has made a significant and measurable impact through a program, campaign or strategy to reduce energy consumption (or resulted in a quantifiable positive impact on health, emissions reductions, energy burden or other societal impact) based on their target market. The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden worked with partners Donovan Energy and Groundwork Ohio River Valley on an ambitious LED project to make their urban, low-income home community of Avondale the most energy efficient neighborhood in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Since 2017, thanks to $725,000 in grants from the Duke Class Benefit Fund, the Zoo has transitioned its campus to 100% LED and installed LED lighting in Avondale buildings, homes, churches and outdoor areas. At least 25 commercial entities and 100 residences have been upgraded, saving Avondale more than $1 million in energy bills and maintenance within the next 5 years. Light Up Avondale also provides Groundwork Ohio River Valley’s Green Corps—a green workforce development program for young adults—the opportunity to increase their skills in energy efficiency, data collection, customer service and lighting technologies while connecting to the Zoo’s neighbors. The program has built strong relationships among the Zoo’s partners and community, increased opportunity for energy efficiency and financial savings and provided workforce development for our region’s young adults.

The award was accepted during the IEA Dinner on February 27, 2020 by Fia Turczynewycz, Sustainable Communities Advocate at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. We congratulate the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden on their impactful program.

Read more about the program here.