Natural Resources

Overview

Our natural resources are integral to a sustainable society. We all depend on clean air and water and healthy ecosystems to support life. Our community needs to understand the impact of human actions on the environment and be responsible for taking action to protect and improve the natural systems that sustain us.

Healthy Natural Resources are an essential part of addressing climate change

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

    Calendar of Events

    • Tree Summit
    • Soil Your Undies – Earth Day distribution of 100% cotton underwear to be buried in gardens to determine soil health
    • Reveal Your Undies – Event to display results from the Soil Your Undies program

    Leaders

    • Stephanie Wagner
    • Kathleen Wiens
    • Mark Puhlman

    Contact

    Stephanie Wagner swagner@losn.org

    Goals

    1.  Support Natural Resources Goals and action items included in theCity of Lake Oswego’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan by partnering with the city and the Oswego Lake Watershed Council (OLWC).
    2. Protect and Enhance the Lake Oswego Urban Forest
    3. Support the Natural Resource Management Plan for City of Lake Oswego Natural Areas.
    4. Reduce the use of toxins (pesticides and herbicides) in landscaping.

        Projects

        1. Tree Summit community gathering — Held annually with OLWC
        2. Soil Your Undies — Community science project with OLWC
        3. Community Forums relating to Natural Resources with OLWC

         

        Partners

        Loving and protecting our environment – Testimonials

        Backyard Habitat Certification Story

        Backyard Habitat Certification Story

        Submitted 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...

        The Humble Habitat Re-Wilding Project

        The Humble Habitat Re-Wilding Project

        Submitted 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...