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.

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.

• Oswego Lake Watershed Council (OLWC)
• City of Lake Oswego
  • Sustainability Advisory Board
  • Parks and Recreation Department
  • Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
  • Lake Oswego Natural Parks Friends Groups
    • Friends of Iron Mountain
    • Friends of Luscher Farm
    • Friends of Southwood Park
    • Friends of Springbrook Park