Overview

LOSN believes that local government impacts all aspects of sustainability. Government policy greatly affects the sustainability of our society through mandates, subsidies and regulations. Our federal, state and local governments all played a part in building our current society and will be a major factor in moving toward a more sustainable society​.

Our team works closely with the city and county and strives to create positive personal relationships with staff and elected officials.  In addition, we provide support for state sustainability initiatives, knowing that the state can address sustainability goals which our individual counties and cities cannot do on our own. We work to support government sustainability efforts and we advocate for specific policies.   We appreciate our hard-working public service staff and elected officials, and it is important that they see sustainability as a critical priority.  We believe that all citizens have a role to play in promoting sustainable practices within local government.  

Goals

• Support the city in implementing the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan 
• Strive to create good relationships with those who work at the City of Lake Oswego and on Clackamas County’s Climate Action Plan.
• Advocate and promote the State of Oregon’s Climate Action and other state sustainability initiatives
• Increase community involvement in advocating for sustainable practices and policies.

Partners

• City of Lake Oswego
  • Sustainability Advisory Board
  • Historical Resources Advisory Board
• Clackamas County
• State of Oregon
  • Department of Environmental Quality

Projects

1. Implementation of community action items in the city Sustainability and Climate Action Plan
2. Partner with the Mayors’ office to promote the EcoHome LO tool
3. Repair Fairs with Clackamas County
4. Promote the Clackamas County Leaders in Sustainability certification program
5. Working to promote an optimally sustainable wastewater treatment plant with city and community leaders
6. Providing sustainability input for the City staff working on the new aquatic center
7. Submit testimony supporting the DEQ Climate Protection Plan

Overview

When we come together to establish a culture grounded in inclusive, sustainable practices we all prosper. To help build a sustainable community LOSN is focused on the following:

• Striving to connect those who wish to work towards common goals, advocating for sustainability issues and working on projects with each other.
• Facilitating lively presentations on various topics, providing inspiration and education for our members and those interested in sustainability issues.
• Operating a partnership program that offers an opportunity for local organizations to increase the effectiveness of their sustainability efforts.

LOSN supports the community by:

• Hosting events that allow sustainability advocates and partners to learn about and celebrate the successes in moving our community forward.
• Publishing monthly Sustainability Insider newsletters.
  Subscribe to our Newsletter using the form in the footer below.
  Find our latest Newsletters here.

Goals

1. Unite: Bring our community together in support of sustainability initiatives. Increase the number of participants and active partners throughout the community.
2. Communicate: Facilitate communication between participants and partner organizations to maximize impact.
3. Educate: Provide opportunities for community members to learn and apply best practices grounded in sustainable solutions.

Partners

• Government
• Schools
• Interfaith
• Business
• Natural Resources
• Cultural
  • Arts Council of Lake Oswego
  • Lake Oswego Preservation Society
  • Oswego Heritage Council

Projects

1. Community Forum education events
2. Lake Oswego Repair Fairs in partnership with Clackamas County

Community Green Teams

Lake Oswego is home to a number of planned communities, including some with active Green Teams focused on how they can help local residents adopt sustainable practices, like installing solar panels and participating in recycling efforts.

Several Life Plan communities in Lake Oswego have Green Teams that network with other regional Green Teams to share sustainability ideas and processes.

• READ Building Climate Resilience: Best Practices for Life Plan Communities