Sustainability Certifications

Jun 1, 2023 | Education, landscaping testimonial

June 2023

Certifications for Individuals & Families

Sustainability can seem to be a complex and difficult concept to get your hands around. Fortunately, certifications are toolkits for assessments that we can use to become more sustainable in our lives.

In this newsletter, we cover various certification programs that can help individuals and families live more sustainably. We hope you find these resources valuable on your personal journey.

So what are the benefits of getting certified? What do certifications provide us?

Certification programs can help us:

  • Educate ourselves about sustainability;
  • Discover new practices and build new habits that are more sustainable;
  • Find products that deliver more with less impact on the environment and save us money;
  • Help us spread the word to others through signage and example;
  • Be part of a movement to build a better future.

Note: our June 2021 newsletter covered business certifications.

EcoHome LO Certification

The City of Lake Oswego launched a sustainability certification program in 2021 known as EcoHome LO. This program focuses on actions that residents and households can take to become more sustainable. It also serves as an excellent educational tool about sustainability and provides a comprehensive framework for building a more sustainable life.

The checklist and program cover essential topics such as:

  • Reduce, Reuse, & Recycle
  • Energy Conservation
  • Transportation
  • Civic Engagement
  • Emergency Preparedness
  • and much more

As the program website notes:”EcoHome LO’s certification program, checklists, and resources are tools designed to guide you toward a holistically sustainable lifestyle. We’ll provide a framework and structure for your sustainability plan, connect you with community groups and activities that align with your interests, and provide answers and guidance as you work to accomplish your checklist items.”

When you have attained certification, you will receive a free lawn/window sign showing your certification level and accomplishment.

An updated version of this program will be rolled out for the residents of Lake Oswego by the end of July. Meanwhile, we encourage you to look over the checklist and start reviewing the resources which are linked to each topic area title.

Backyard Habitat Certification

The Backyard Habitat Certification Program provides technical assistance and incentives to Lake Oswego residents who wish to restore native wildlife habitat in their yards. Participants are guided through three levels of habitat restoration: silver, gold, and platinum. The program focuses on the removal of invasive weeds, naturescaping with native plants, stormwater management, and wildlife stewardship.

The Lake Oswego Backyard Habitat Program is supported by the City of Lake Oswego and facilitated by Friends of Tryon Creek, in collaboration with the Portland Audubon and Columbia Land Trust.

Check out the amazing testimonials about this program below.

Using Certification to find better products

Certified products provide homeowners a way to buy products that have been assessed to be more sustainable. Products that are certified use less energy, water, and produce fewer toxins.  Certification provides value even when building or purchasing a home.

Whether you are planning a major remodel or repair or just looking to replace a light bulb, faucet, or appliance, or buy a new electric lawnmower, you should look for product certifications that provide you with the best and most sustainable choice.

ENERGY STAR (www.energystar.gov…) is your resource for information on projects and products to help make your home energy efficient. Learn how you can upgrade to energy-efficient products and make other home improvements that can deliver significant energy and cost savings, and help you transition from fossil fuels for a cleaner, healthier and more comfortable home. Also, learn how to take advantage of tax credits.

WaterSense (www.epa.gov/…) labeled products are backed by independent, third–party certification and meet EPA’s specifications for water efficiency and performance. When you use these water–saving products in your home or business, you can expect exceptional performance, savings on your water bills, and assurance that you are saving water for future generations.

Earth Advantage (www.energytrust.org/…) adds sustainability features and building processes to ENERGY STAR guidelines to produce homes that use natural resources more responsibly. Earth Advantage New Homes awards three levels of certification—silver, gold, or platinum—based on the building’s score in five categories: energy efficiency, healthy indoor air quality, resource efficiency, environmental responsibility and water conservation.

LEED® for Homes (www.energytrust.org/…) – LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification program operated by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED for Homes aims to increase energy and water efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, use natural resources thoughtfully and improve the quality of the indoor environment.

Certifications help spread the word

“Sustainability begins with an awareness of the impact of our actions, and there is no better way to spread awareness than by harnessing the power of your community and sharing what you know to help achieve a greener world.”

It is hard to walk around Lake Oswego without seeing a Backyard Habitat Certification sign. This program started over 10 years ago and now there are many yards that display certification signs. These certification plaques inspire others in our community to start their journey to beautiful and more sustainable yards.

Our neighborhoods have sprouted other signs that create a healthier environment for our families and all the critters that rely on the shelter and food we provide.  Here are some of the other signs you might see as you travel around Lake Oswego:

Metro program – Take the no pesticide pledge: Garden chemicals can be harmful to humans, pets, wildlife and waterways. The good news is there are many surprisingly easy ways to care for your lawn and garden that avoid putting your family and neighbors at risk.

Xerces – Leave the leaves: Leaves are not litter. They are food and shelter for butterflies, beetles, bees, moths, and more. Show your friends and neighbors that you plan to leave the leaves this fall with this beautiful yard sign produced by The Xerces Society.

Xerces – Promote Pollinators: Support conservation and spread the word about the importance of pollinators by displaying this sign in your yard.

Backyard Habitat Certification Story

-by Monica Delzeit

Rachel Carson saw it coming 60 years ago. As a medical professional, I see our number one public health concern as the climate crisis. No other public health concern will affect us all. After retiring, I felt that I could add to my love of gardening and include all the portions of the Backyard Habitat Certification Program. Despite my orthopedic issues, I’ve been able to introduce and maintain all 5 pillars of this program, without much outside help.


Monica’s beautiful certified yard

READ MORE…

The humble habitat re-wilding project

-by Mark & Leah Puhlman

We’ve always loved a project.  When we moved to the Portland Metro area, our housing search brought us to a bank-owned rancher style home on half an acre in Lake Oswego. As you can see from the pictures, we had our work cut out for us.

We quickly learned transforming a neglected, blackberry and ivy infested half acre is a marathon, not a sprint. We started slow and are still working toward our vision 11 years after we purchased the home.

READ MORE…
Pollinator Celebration

When:   Thursday, June 22, 2023
Time:     4 pm to 7 pm
Where:   Luscher Farm, 125 Rosemont Rd, West Linn, OR 97068  (map)
What:     Come celebrate pollinators
Repair Fair in Lake Oswego

When:   Saturday, August 26, 2023
Time:     10 am to 1 pm
Where:   Lake Oswego United Methodist Church, 1855
South Shore Blvd., Lake Oswego 97034 (map)
What:      Join this free community event that brings skilled volunteers and people with broken items together.
More:       Download the Flier
Save the Date: LOSN Electrification & EV Fair

When:   Saturday, September 23, 2023
Time:     10 am to 2 pm
Where:   Lake Oswego United Methodist Church, 1855 South Shore Blvd., Lake Oswego 97034 (map)

Sustainability in the City

Jan 1, 2023 | Community, Education, Past

January 2023

Embedding Sustainability in the City

The City of Lake Oswego embeds sustainability in their strategies and operations following a number of paths including making a significant investment through:

  • Prioritizing sustainability initiatives in the City Council Goals for the year.
  • Staffing a full-time Sustainability Program Manager position.
  • Commissioning a citizen’s advisory board on Sustainability.

We’d like to share with you the goals for each of these areas for 2023.

City Council Goals for 2023

The city councilors just completed a full-day goal setting retreat Saturday, January 21st, where they gathered feedback and suggestions from citizens of Lake Oswego, a number of community groups and the various boards and commissions and other stakeholders to come up with a prioritized list of initiatives under eight major goals.

For each of eight areas, they reviewed the proposed goal language and discussed the specific initiatives related to each area. They started with 40 initiatives, several which were carried over from the previous year. Their task was to prioritize the top 15 to 20 initiatives which will direct how they (and the city government) spend their time this year.

On Feb. 7, the council will vote to approve their goals for the year. (Approved goals will be available on this page after approval.)

Below are the eight areas and proposed goal language.

Climate Action. Combat climate change and strengthen the community’s resilience to climate impact.

Parks, Natural Areas, & Recreation. Invest in Lake Oswego’s high-quality parks, natural areas and recreational amenities.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. Foster a welcoming and inclusive community where all people have the opportunity to thrive and have equitable access to City services.

Transportation. Improve transportation connections, mobility and safety for all travelers and all types of trips in Lake Oswego.

City Operations. Strengthen public trust in the City through continuous improvement outstanding customer service, infrastructure investments, and fiscal stewardship.

Economic Development. Support business development and job creation in Lake Oswego.

Community Development. Conserve the community’s character, sense of place and quality of life by planning for change and growth.

Public Safety. Ensure a safe, secure and prepared community.

Many of the specific initiatives are directly related to sustainability. Two initiatives under Climate Action received unanimous support:

  1. Integrate climate action and resilience into City projects such as capital improvement planning, housing policy, and City facilities and fleet decisions.
  2. Update the Urban and Community Forest Plan using the findings of the 2022 State of the Urban Forest Report. Address issues related to equitable outcomes, tree species, and climate change.

Other sustainability-related initiatives that maybe be adopted include:

  • Make a financially and environmentally responsible long-term investment in a wastewater treatment plant.
  • Continue construction of sidewalks and pathways focusing on safe routes to school.
  • Continue to work on key housing initiatives and housing production strategy.
  • Implement community policing recommendations.
  • Create disaster preparedness processes and plans in collaboration with the community.

LOSN submitted input to the goal setting session. See details at this link. Although not all our initiatives made the top priority list, the two Climate Action initiatives listed above are strong endorsements of support for sustainability. In addition, a progress report on the Climate Action plan is already part of staff’s work plan.

City of Lake Oswego’s Sustainability Program Manager

Amanda Watson has been the city’s full-time Sustainability Program Manager for the past year and a half and provides a wealth of expertise and guidance to the city and the community. She is responsible for implementing the City’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan in collaboration with other city departments and community groups. She also manages the City’s solid waste and recycling franchise with Republic Services.

Amanda serves as staff liaison to the Sustainability Advisory Board (SAB). Buzz Chandler, Co-Chair for the SAB, says, “As one of the Co-Chairs of the LO SAB, I work very closely with Amanda, in her role as Sustainability Program Manager for the City, and she has helped elevate our Board to becoming an ever more effective and forward-thinking advisory body for the City.  She always has a big smile, is very knowledgeable and most importantly works tirelessly at helping us manage and achieve our goals for the Board every year. She is a truly fine example of the high quality and character of LO City Staffers. We as a Board and as a City are fortunate to have her.”

Amanda has also proven to be a great partner for LOSN in promoting sustainability. Duke Castle provides a LOSN perspective, “Amanda is great sustainability advocate. She is well versed in the triple bottom line concept and has a good understanding of sustainability issues both within the city and out of it. She is a real pleasure to work with because she is so collaborative and open to the variety of ideas we bring to her.”

Amanda led the collaborative effort for putting on the first Lake Oswego Sustainability Resource Fair last year and will be helping again this year (April 15, 2023 – check the events section for more) for what has become a terrific annual event full of resources for Lake Oswego residents.

In addition to her support on the Council and SAB’s goals, she will be focused on:

  • Completing a progress report on the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan.
  • Increasing use and availability of clean energy in Lake Oswego, including sharing information with community members and businesses about available financial incentives and programs for clean energy and energy efficiency.
  • Website improvements for the EcoHome LO residential sustainability certification program that launched last year.

City of Lake Oswego’s Sustainability Advisory Board

The Sustainability Advisory Board (SAB) is a citizen advisory body appointed by the City Council to provide advice, citizen perspective, and expertise on issues relating to sustainability. Consisting of 7 members with staggered 3-year terms and 2 youth members with 1-year terms, these citizens promote a sustainable economic and ecological quality of life in our community. This year, their goals are:

  • Advance the adoption of electric vehicles.
  • Develop recommendations to the City Council for a ban on the sale and use of gas-powered landscaping equipment in Lake Oswego.
  • Continue progress on climate mitigation and resilience planning and implementation.
  • Expand outreach and engagement to enhance the sustainability of the city as a whole.

The full goals with the planned initiatives can be found here.

LOSN partners with SAB in many areas including the annual EV Fair, promoting the transition to electric landscaping equipment, collaboration on goal setting, and the annual Lake Oswego Sustainability Resource Fair.

Here are some ways you can get involved with SAB if you want to work with the city on sustainability and/or climate action:

  • Attend an SAB meeting. (Meetings are the 3rd Monday of the month, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Check the LOSN calendar for more information.)
  • Provide public comment at a meeting.
  • Apply to be a member of the board. (Applications are open in the April-May time frame at this link).
Save the Date: What’s Really Going on with Climate?

When:   Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Time:     6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Where:  online forum (registration link coming soon)
Panelists: Gregg Small, Executive Director of Climate Solutions, and Meredith Connolly, Oregon Director of Climate Solutions

We have climate anxiety, climate solutions, cli-fy novels and climate impacts. But what is really happening? Climate change is a complicated issue and it’s often hard to track the intricacies of what is going on and how each of us can be part of the solution.

To answer our question and more, LOSN is proud to host Gregg Small and Meredith Connolley, two of the leading climate advocates at Climate Solutions, in this timely and informative forum.
Save the Date: 2nd Annual Lake Oswego Sustainability Resource Fair

When:   Saturday, April 15, 2023
Time:    10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Where:  Lakeridge Middle School, 4700 Jean Rd, Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035
What:    Groups throughout our community will be at the fair with sustainability information and how you can get involved and take action.

Brought to you by a collaboration between the City of Lake Oswego and SAB, the Oswego Lake Watershed Council, the Lake Oswego School District and LOSN.

Striving for a More Sustainable City

Nov 1, 2021 | Uncategorized

LOSN Sustainability Insider

November 2021
LOSN Board Note: In this edition, we bring you exciting news about what is happening with Sustainability in the City.

Striving for a More Sustainable City

There is a lot to celebrate with respect to sustainability in the City of Lake Oswego. The accomplishments stretch across all aspects of city operations: transportation, energy efficiency, natural resource protection, and waste reduction.

We have a new Sustainability Program Manager, Amanda Watson (see Spotlight on Amanda below) and a dedicated volunteer advisory board to help the city continue down the path of sustainability stewardship. City Manager Martha Bennett says, “We try to look at sustainability not just with the environmental lens, but include the economic viability and social equity aspects as well. Everything is a balance of these three aspects. Public Safety for example is primarily focused on the social aspect, however includes environmental and economic aspects in its operations.”

There are some exciting sustainability opportunities coming up as well. The City is seriously considering rebuilding the Tryon Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. Treatment plants are typically one of the biggest energy users in a community. This presents a wonderful opportunity to create the most sustainable plant possible. For more information about the status click here. The City has also entered an agreement with the Lake Oswego School District to build a Recreation/Aquatic Center. This presents another opportunity to build a future-focused sustainable facility.

City Sustainability Accomplishments

Over the last decade or so, the City has worked on some significant initiatives that have made our community better. We want to highlight a few of these accomplishments here. For an expanded list of actions for each of the areas: transportation, energy efficiency, natural resource protection, and waste reduction click here.

Major Accomplishments

  • In May 2020, City Council adopted a Sustainability and Climate Action Plan. The Plan builds on the City’s Sustainability Action Plan for City Operations (2014) and establishes community-wide climate action goals.
  • Earlier this year, City Council approved a contract for the use of electric landscaping equipment only for the City’s right of way landscaping, covering over 200 different sites.

Reduce Transportation Emissions

  • Purchased 3 EVs for the City fleet, as well as several hybrids and plug-in hybrids
  • Installed improved bike facilities for City staff and visitors at the new City Hall

Promote Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy

  • Energy saving technologies installed at Lake Oswego Tigard Water Treatment Plant save almost 2 million kWh/year in electricity
  • New City Hall was constructed to a LEED Gold standard and has been certified Gold by Clackamas County’s Leaders in Sustainability program

Protect Natural Resources

  • Increased landscaping equipment inventory, replacing with electric when possible. The City has an electric large area mower in its fleet in addition to electric blowers, weed eaters and a chain saw. Also they will have an Electric Greens mower for the golf course when it reopens.
  • Promoted pollinators by planting native wildflower seed in natural areas.

Reduce Waste

  • Reduced food waste sent to landfill by offering curbside organics collection for commercial businesses and single family residences beginning in 2016.
  • LO Library has a Library of Things collection that allows residents to check out items like small appliances, tools, musical instruments, and games, helping community members to try new things, save money, and reduce consumption of new products.

Meet our new city Sustainability Program Manager – Amanda Watson

Amanda Watson started in September as the City of Lake Oswego’s Sustainability Program Manager. In her role, she is responsible for implementing the City’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan, in collaboration with other City departments and community partners. She also manages the City’s solid waste and recycling franchise with Republic Services, and serves as staff liaison to the Sustainability Advisory Board. Amanda previously worked at the City of Portland, where she served as lead on climate and sustainability policy for Mayor Wheeler. She helped to develop Portland’s Climate Emergency Declaration, which aligned the City’s emissions reduction goals with the Paris Agreement and committed to a climate justice-based approach to climate action. She also worked at the City of Portland’s Bureau of Planning and Sustainability on a project to increase equity in the waste collection system. Amanda has a Master in Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School and a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University.

Amanda says, “I am excited to be working at the City of Lake Oswego and with the many engaged members of our community to build on the progress Lake Oswego has already made to become a more sustainable community and address climate change.”

The Lake Oswego Review had a great article about Amanda in October which you can read here.

Tesla Hits the Road with the Police Department

The Lake Oswego Police Department now has a Tesla. That’s great, but aren’t these cars really expensive? According to Police Chief Dale Jorgensen when he did the math it made economic sense. When you factor in that an operating an electric vehicle can save up to 70% over a gas one, it doesn’t take long for the car to pay for itself.

The Tesla is being used by the department’s detective group and has been assigned to a detective who drives the furthest distance making the savings even a little greater. For patrol work the department is converting to Ford SUV hybrids and will consider an all-electric SUV when one has been certified for routine patrol work.

The Sustainability Advisory Board Plays an Important Role for the City

The City of Lake Oswego launched its Sustainability Advisory Board (SAB) in 2008. It is a volunteer citizen advisory body appointed by the City Council consisting of seven members appointed for three-year terms, two alternates for one-year terms, and two youth members appointed for one-year terms. Currently the board is co-chaired by Stephanie Glazer and Kathleen Wiens. The other members are: Buzz Chandler, Susan Mead, Mark Puhlman, Jay Hamachek, Matt Schaeffer. Alternates are Kara Orvieto and Kim Roeland. Youth are represented by Anna Wallin and Olivia Reinhart. City Councilor Rachel Verdick is the Council Liaison for the board.

The Sustainability Advisory Board’s primary objective is to promote a more sustainable community that balances the three pillars of sustainability: social equity, the economy and the environment. The SAB works with the guidance of Amanda Watson, the City’s new Sustainability Program Manager, who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this role. Annually the board sets goals to advance sustainability in the city.

Click here for more on the SAB Goals for 2021.

Lake Oswego’s 3rd Annual Tree Summit a Big Success

The 2021 Lake Oswego Tree Summit, Sustaining Our Urban Forest: Resilience, Responsibility and Reciprocity in a Changing Climate, was a huge success.  Dr Christine Buhl, Oregon Department of Forestry Entomologist, shared pertinent and very interesting information about the effect of a changing climate on our urban forest and answered questions from the audience.  Dr. Buhl’s talk was followed by a presentation by the City of Lake Oswego on the LO Tree canopy based on analysis of recent LiDAR data.

A video of the presentation and other information, including how to get involved, can be found on the Oswego Lake Watershed Council website. Contact Stephanie at stephanie@oswegowatershed.org if you have any questions.
LOSN November Forum: Beyond Net Zero, Restorative Buildings: the PAE Story

When:  Wednesday, November 17, 2001
Time:    6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: on Zoom

What if a building was not just sustainable but restorative, a building that put back more than it takes?

That is the goal of the Living Building Challenge, a concept introduced on 2009, where its end goal “is to encourage the creation of a regenerative built environment. The challenge is an attempt to raise the bar for building standards from doing less harm to contributing positively to the environment.”

This is an approach that goes way beyond the LEED rating system focusing not only on net zero energy but also net zero water and waste.

One of the leaders in implementing this concept is Portland based PAE Consulting Engineers. They have eleven projects designed to meet this rigorous framework. The latest is their new headquarters here in Portland, a five story building which is set to be the world’s first developer-driven Living Building.

PAE president Paul Schwer will be joined by PAE associate Karina Hershberg to tell the story of how their building was able to reach this goal while simultaneously providing a return for their investors.

Electric Landscaping Update – April 2021

Apr 1, 2021 | Uncategorized

LOSN Sustainability Insider

April 2021
LOSN Board Note: Tackling climate change can seem to be an overwhelming proposition. But there is a key strategy which can make a major impact: Electrify Everything. Transitioning gas powered landscaping equipment to electric helps the community take meaningful action addressing climate change while also improving air quality and reducing harmful noise levels in our community.
Note: the format of our newsletter has changed. Scroll to the bottom for events and other updates.

Making the Switch to Electric Landscaping Equipment

Benefits of Switching

Communities all over the United States are targeting gas powered landscaping equipment in response to the noise and the air pollution they produce. Gas powered landscape maintenance equipment can create significant localized air quality hazards beyond simply carbon emissions.


Carbon emissions using gas powered equipment

In addition, this equipment is responsible for significant noise pollution which can lead to hearing loss and high stress levels. Operators of this equipment can be particularly affected by the noise and air pollution.

Community members are taking their concerns to their cities and neighborhoods looking for solutions. In our tri-county area, a volunteer organization in Portland has formed quietcleanpdx.org to educate and offer solutions about phasing out gas powered leaf blowers. Thus, beyond the benefits of directly addressing climate change by reducing carbon emissions, switching out gas powered landscaping equipment has major benefits for the well-being of our community.

Register for our May Forum: Come hear from Dan Mabe, Founder and President of American Green Zone Alliance (AGZA), talk about how we can transition from gas powered landscaping equipment to electric powered equipment which helps to reduce air and noise pollution.

Scroll down to the event section for more info.

City Action: City Council Approves All-Electric Landscaping Contracts

On February 2nd the City Council approved two 100% electric landscaping contracts that covers over 200 public areas in the City. This is a great step towards reducing the hazardous air and noise pollution that is caused by gas powered landscaping equipment. The city has already started purchasing electric landscaping equipment. By actively transitioning away from gas powered equipment and using electric equipment this will help create a greener and healthier place for the landscaping workers, community and the environment.

Residential Action: Where Can You Find Electric Landscaping Equipment?

You can find displays and aisles of residential electric landscaping equipment at your local Ace Hardware, Home Depot, and Lowe’s. This equipment works great and is often less expensive to purchase and operate. The electric equipment is quieter and does not have the toxic emissions of the gas powered equipment.

American Green Zone Alliance has compiled a list of field tested and certified commercial electric equipment: agza.net/agza-approved-equipment. This includes manufacturers, types of equipment, specifications, photos, and videos. Many commercial landscapers and communities have moved to electric equipment and are happy with the performance while having a cleaner and greener way to operate and not being exposed to air and noise pollution.

Image: Lake Oswego Ace Hardware Display

Landscaping Services Action: Local Electric Landscaping Services

A number of landscaping services in our region already offer electric services. A story from Oswego Yard Care shows why businesses are moving towards this model:

Dan Fidler and Lonny Chavez started Oswego Yard Care in 2019 with the desire to create a landscaping business using quiet renewable energy. They use all-electric battery powered Ego brand tools that greatly reduce noise pollution and have no gas fumes. Every kwh of energy they use to recharge their equipment is offset with the purchase of clean renewable energy. They have enthusiasm for innovation and insistence on clean energy. Oswego Yard Care maintains and creates beautiful yards by combining seasonal color, native plants and perennials. Dan and Lonny encourage other landscapers to check out their equipment to experience for themselves how great this electric equipment works. Visit oswegoyard.com for more information.

Here is a list of some local landscapers that use electric landscaping equipment and hand tools (let them know you are looking for electric landscaping care):

Works Great While Providing Surprising Resilience: Testimonial by Michael Earp

We have a large lot in the First Addition of Lake Oswego and although we have reduced the lawn size it is still a lot to mow. Over the years I have routinely used electric lawn equipment. At first cords were standard, which increased the time it took and were a hassle with messing with the cord. I can remember cutting the cord with the mower, too.

I upgraded to a cordless mower when they became available. The first cordless mowers cut down on the time spent mowing but they used lead acid battery which made the lawn mower heavier and the battery had to to be recharged half way through mowing my big lawn.

Today’s electric mowers are very light and have a long runtime with a powerful Lithium battery. It is so quiet and easy to push and can do the entire lot with no problem. There are a number of new Lithium battery powered mowers available. We use a Ryobi 20 inch 40 Volt cordless mower which comes battery charger included ($299 at Home Depot).

Ryobi makes a number of attachments and that the same battery can be used on. I have a few of them including: edger, blower (quiet), portable drill, vacuum, radio and inverter.

During the last ice storm I used the 40 Volt Lithium battery from my mower with the inverter to power my house TV for three hours on a charge. And I could have powered the refrigerator.

Once you use one of these new Lithium powered mowers you will never want to deal with a gas mower again. Skip the hassle with gas tuneups along with the noise and pollution. Your neighbors will appreciate it, too!

Why We Made the Switch: Testimonial from Jeff & Kathleen Wiens

For years it was frustrating trying to start our gas lawnmower and edger. Having to mix oil and gasoline, trying to find a funnel to fill it was always a hassle. The cloud of smoke and fumes made the process even more unpleasant. It was frustrating having to wipe the spilled gasoline off of our hands and ground.

In 2015 we decided to go all electric/battery for our landscaping equipment. We purchased a Black and Decker hedge trimmer and a Kobalt lawn mower at Lowe’s for a reasonable price. This equipment performs great and after 6 years they have held up well. We also like to use a rake and broom.

A few months ago we purchased an Ego electric chainsaw and a more powerful hedge trimmer from Ace Hardware. The batteries are interchangeable and long lasting. We purchased an Ego inverter after our recent power outage to be able to use these Ego batteries to run our refrigerator, TV, power lights, and charge our cell phones. Since we have several batteries, this could help get us through a power outage without the need to run a noisy and polluting generator.

What we like about electric landscaping equipment is when the battery is connected, it starts every time without any nauseous fumes and it’s quieter than gas equipment. We have found that that the cost of residential electric landscaping equipment is comparable or less than the gas equipment. A trip down the aisles at Home Depot or Lowe’s will verify this.

The noise level of gas equipment and the toxicity of the fumes are enough to warrant a change to electric. If homeowners don’t want to do their own landscaping, how about purchasing electric equipment to give to their landscapers. Another idea is to ask your landscaper to look into having an electric option. This would make it healthier for the workers, residents, neighbors and the environment. The switch to electric equipment helps to lower the carbon footprint created from gasoline powered landscaping equipment.
May Online Forum: Transitioning to Electric Landscaping Equipment

Speaker:  Dan Mabe, CEO, Founder and CEO of American Green Zone Alliance
When: Thursday, May 13, 2021
Time:  6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Where:  Webinar on Zoom

Learn about how communities are moving toward pollution free,  electric landscaping equipment and services.

Come hear from Dan Mabe, Founder and President of American Green Zone Alliance (AGZA), talk about how we can transition from gas powered landscaping equipment to electric powered equipment which helps to reduce air and noise pollution.

Dan grew up in a landscaping family and in 2006 he created an all electric landscaping business which grew to 70 customers in one year. He started AGZA in 2010 to help prudently transition the landscape maintenance industry to cleaner and quieter technologies and operation.

AGZA’s efforts have resulted in the creation of green collar jobs, improved health of workers and communities, and greatly reducing environmental impacts.

Dan will discuss the air and noise pollution issues with gas powered equipment, the electric equipment that is currently available, the cost comparison between gas and electric and the return on investment. He will discuss what other communities with similar seasons are doing in regard to transitioning to electric. He will also talk about what we can do to help business owners transition to electric equipment

To learn more about our speaker and American Green Zone Alliance please visit agza.net.
Candidate Forum: LOSD School Board, April 27, 2021

Topic: LOSD School Board Candidate Forum
When: Tuesday, April 27, 2021
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Where: Webinar on Zoom

The Lake Oswego Sustainability Network (LOSN) and Respond to Racism in Lake Oswego are holding a virtual (Zoom webinar) candidate forum on April 27th. We want to give our community an opportunity to meet the School Board candidates and to hear their thoughts on a variety of topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and sustainability in schools.
June Online Forum: Turning ocean waves into electricity

Speaker:  Burke Hales, Professor OSU, College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences
When: Thursday, June 10, 2021
Time:  6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Where:  on Zoom

The PacWave project, to be built off the Oregon coast near Newport, will facilitate and speed up the development of new technology to harness the motion of ocean waves to generate electricity.  Our speaker, Dr. Hales, is Chief Scientist of the testing facility and will explain how this technology could someday provide a major source of clean energy for our region.

Addressing Climate Change through Natural Climate Solutions

Mar 1, 2021 | Electrify Your Landscaping / Healthy Yard Care, landscaping testimonial, Natural Resources - Testimonials, Online, Past

LOSN Sustainability Insider

March 2021
LOSN Board Note: This newsletter features sustainability and climate action work led by our partner, the Oswego Lake Watershed Council (OLWC) with our Natural Resources Action Team.
Note: the format of our newsletter has changed. Scroll to the bottom for events and other updates.

Addressing Climate Change through Natural Climate Solutions

Oftentimes when we think about climate change we think of reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. Yet human contribution to the rise in carbon emissions in the atmosphere is not only due to our burning of fossil fuels, but also in the impoverishment of nature’s ability to absorb carbon in soil, in trees, and other high-carbon ecosystems. The degradation of our lands, including the earth’s fertile agricultural soils, is in itself another massive disaster facing humans. Yet, by looking to nature, we can take actions that can change this trajectory. Natural climate solutions – conservation, restoration, and land management activities – can help revive nature’s ability to sequester and store carbon.  Find out how healthy soils are an intrinsic component of addressing climate change and cooling the earth.

LOSN partners with the Oswego Lake Watershed Council (OLWC) in the goal of protecting our natural resources through the use and promotion of these natural climate solutions. OLWC leads restoration of watershed function on private land while the City works to enhance natural resources and their ecological services on City-owned land.

OLWC also works within the community through the Urban Forest Committees to protect and enhance our urban forest and holds the annual Tree Summit for the community. Additionally, the council is leading the LO Trees Initiative to inventory the urban forest by deploying citizen scientists to help achieve the Lake Oswego Climate Goal of planting or protecting 5000 trees in 5 years.

The Dirt on Trees

We love our trees!  We love their shade, their graceful patterns against the sky and how they store carbon to combat climate change. But where would trees be without their roots? The roots we cannot see but know anchor the beauty towering over us. Where does that stability come from? The soil into which the trees reach. What do we know about that soil? Do we just take it for granted?  It’s always there!

That soil is as important to the health of our trees as the air is to the trees making food. The air supplies the carbon for tree leaves to make the food and structural building blocks to keep the tree alive and growing. An important part of that process (known as photosynthesis) also requires water that is extracted from the soil by the tree roots. But that soil does so much more than anchor the tree and provide water – it also supplies all of the minerals and other nutrients (particularly nitrogen) trees need to live.


Dirt via University of Oklahoma, Citizen Science Soil Collection Program

For many years soil scientists thought of soil as an inanimate object composed of ground up rocks. But that is only half of the story. The other half of soil is air, water, and organic matter which includes a multitude of living organisms. The living, biological component includes microbes, mycorrhizal fungi, insects  and worms. Most of which are too small to see with the naked eye. This living component of soil is the key to healthy, fertile soil. This unseen living system breaks down the soil to supply minerals, capture nitrogen from the air, and create spaces for water and air. Without this living component soil just doesn’t work properly. Tree roots are also an important part of this system since plants actually take some of the food they make in the form of sugars and pump it into soil to feed these organisms. This is an interactive system where the biotic components provide nutrients and plant roots provide food for these organisms.

When we use pesticides and artificial fertilizers we kill off these living organisms and destroy this interactive system. Artificial fertilizers actually make the tree roots lazy and they stop expanding and feeding the soil. You probably noticed some large trees planted in the middle of the lawn at an apartment complex along Boones Ferry Road that had fallen over in the ice storm. Their roots just couldn’t support them with the extra ice. There is a good chance that lawn receives artificial fertilizers and the roots just stopped growing.

We all benefit from understanding natural systems and supporting natural processes. Get to know your dirt! Join us for the Soil Your Undies activities in April!

Soil Your Undies Campaign – Spring 2021

Check out the upcoming activities to learn more about soil.

April 8 – LOSN Monthly Forum: The Soil Will Save Us
Time: 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Speaker: Kristin Ohlson – Registration link below

April 22 – Get To Know Your Dirt – online workshop
Time: 5:00 to 6:30 pm
Presenter: Oswego Lake Watershed Council
Venue:  Online Zoom
Summary: Explore what makes up healthy soil and how your gardening practices can support building your soil heath and help sequester CO2.

April 24 – Soil Your Undies Kickoff
Pick up a free pair of 100% tighty whities at either Lake Oswego or Lakeridge High School between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. Limited to 200 participants. Pre-registration required. More information at www.oswegowatershed.org.

July 7 – Reveal Your Undies
We will get together on Wednesday July 7th to show our undies and discuss the results. We hope we will be able to meet in person! Details will be announced on the OLWC website.

April is Arbor Month in Lake Oswego

April is Arbor month, and we will be celebrating trees and our urban forest all month long! Join in the festivities throughout the month capped by a celebration on Arbor Day, April 30th.

Lake Oswego has a diverse urban forest and has been a member of Tree City USA for over 30 years! This means that individual trees throughout the city connect to create an urban forest system that provides countless benefits to the community. Do you love Lake Oswego’s trees and want to make a difference? OLWC is encouraging the community to celebrate Arbor Month 2021 by working together to preserve our urban forest.

OLWC is sponsoring a community event throughout the month where you can be an urban forest hero by protecting your neighborhood trees from ivy. Check out how this works here.

The city’s next Hello LO will have more information about all the Arbor month activities. Or check the OLWC Arbor Month webpage at the beginning of April for additional Arbor Month activities.
LOSN Interfaith Coffee: Join Us in a Conversation with Councilor Massene Mboup

Date: Tuesday, March 16th, 2021
Time: 10-11:30 am
Where: on Zoom

Description: Not only is Massene our newest Lake Oswego City Councilor, he has an incredible journey and perspective to share. Hear Massene talk about his life in Senegal, his journey to Lake Oswego, and his appreciation for the Earth. We are so grateful for Massene agreeing to join us and we hope you will join as well!  

Councilor Mboup, who has lived in Oregon for over twenty years and in Lake Oswego since 2011, is the founder and Executive Director of the International Leadership Academy (ILA), a private, nonprofit French immersion school located in the heart of Lake Grove on Boones Ferry Road in the Hope Community Church.
April Online Forum: The Soil Will Save Us

Speaker:  Kristin Ohlson, Author, The Soil Will Save Us
When: Thursday, April 8, 2021
Time:  6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Where:  on Zoom

Did you know that good old dirt could help solve the carbon crisis?  Thousands of years of poor farming and ranching practices – and, especially, modern industrial agriculture – have led to the loss of up to 80 percent of carbon from the world’s soils.

Kristin Ohlson, author of The Soil Will Save Us, will present her passionate case for “our great green hope” – a way in which we can heal the land, turn atmospheric carbon into beneficial soil carbon, and potentially reverse global warming – through regenerative agricultural and landscaping practices.

In her talk, Ohlson introduces some of the visionaries from her beautifully researched book. She shares stories from scientists, farmers, ranchers, and landscapers—who are figuring out in the lab and on the ground how to build healthy soil including the herd of microorganisms that escape our notice. Better land management practices, that lead to healthy soils, can help solve a myriad of problem: including drought, erosion, air and water pollution, and food quality, as well as climate change. Join in on April 8 to discover a whole new world beneath our feet.

To learn more about our speaker please visit her website: http://www.kristinohlson.com.
May Online Forum: Transitioning to Electric Landscaping Equipment

Speaker:  Dan Mabe, CEO, President of American Green Zone Alliance
When: Thursday, May 13, 2021
Time:  6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Where:  Webinar on Zoom

Learn about how communities are moving toward pollution free, all electric landscaping equipment and services.

Come hear from Dan Mabe, CEO, President of American Green Zone Alliance, talk about how we can transition from gas powered landscaping equipment to all electric powered equipment which helps to reduce air and noise pollution.

To learn more about our speaker and American Green Zone Alliance please visit agza.net.