Government

Sep 7, 2021

Local & State Government

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

Partners

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

    Leaders

    • Lisa Adatto
    • Duke Castle
    • Mike Perham
    • Kathleen Wiens

    Contact

    Lisa Adatto  ladatto@losn.org

     

    Lake Oswego City Hall

    Lake Oswego City Hall

    Clackamas County Development Services Bldg

    Clackamas County Development Services Bldg

    Oregon Climate Protection Program

    Oregon Climate Protection Program

    Community

    Sep 7, 2021

    Community

    Overview

    Sustainable actions are rooted in all of us.  When we come together to establish a culture grounded in inclusive, sustainable practices we all prosper. To help build a sustainable community we are focused on the following:

    • We strive to connect those who wish to work towards common goals, advocate for sustainability issues, or work on projects with each other.
    • We facilitate lively presentations on various topics, providing inspiration and education for our members.
    • We have a partnership program which provides an opportunity for local organizations to increase the effectiveness of their sustainability efforts.

    LOSN supports the community through communication, events, and activities

    • Hosting events that allow sustainability advocates and partners to learn about and celebrate the successes in moving our community forward.
    • Providing networking opportunities for sustainability advocates through monthly Social Hours (post-Covid).
    • Publishing monthly Sustainability Insider newsletters.
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      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 in order to maximize impact.
    3. Educate:  Provide opportunities for community members to learn and apply best practices grounded in sustainable solutions.

      Calendar of Events

      • Repair Fair (summer 2023)

      Contact

      Mary Ratcliff   mratcliff@losn.org

      Committee Members

      • Mary Ratcliff
      • Kathleen Wiens
      • Jini Stupak
      • Dorothy Atwood

      Looking for a volunteer opportunity?

      • Become a Social Hour host for our monthly social hours (post-Covid). Social Hour host volunteers help welcome interested newcomers and provide information about our mission, our sustainability agenda, and how they can get involved. Hosts also provide a welcoming environment for sustainability advocates who want to get to know their sustainability friends. If you are  interested, please contact us.
      • Our in-person events provide opportunities for volunteers to help with welcoming attendees, providing snacks, handing out flyers to advertise our event, and so on. If you would like to help with our events, sign up by contacting us.

      Partners

      Projects

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

        Community Green Teams

        Lake Oswego is home to a number of planned communities — some which have active Green Teams. These teams are focused on how they can help their residents be more sustainable.

        Lake Oswego has several Life Plan communities networking with others in the region. Their Green Teams work together to share ideas and processes that can make their communities more sustainable. This document shares a number of best practices relevant to planned communities.

         

        Kids at the Repair Fair

        Interfaith

        Aug 2, 2020

        Lake Oswego Sustainability Network

        Interfaith

        Overview

        The LOSN Interfaith Action Team was started to initially explore what sustainability efforts are currently ongoing within the Lake Oswego faith community.  It has evolved to support individual congregational sustainability efforts and to promote interfaith collaboration around sustainability.

        Vision

        The Interfaith community in Lake Oswego is aware, engaged and empowered to take action toward sustainability through partnership with the Lake Oswego Sustainability Network, which in turn recognizes and acknowledges the needs of this community in the fulfillment of its mission.

        Goals

        1. Create a network of faith organizations in Lake Oswego and the surrounding communities.
        2. Offer quarterly Interfaith coffees.
        3. Provide support and sustainability opportunities for our Interfaith community.
        4. Provide support for local religious groups to demonstrate and improve sustainability practices through the Clackamas County Leaders in Sustainability certification program.

        Leaders

        • Cheryll Simmerman, The Bahá’í Faith Member
        • Dorothy Atwood, LOSN Board Member
        • Lisa Adatto, LOSN Board Member and Beit Haverim Member
        • Michelle McKinnon-Young, Pastor at Lake Oswego United Methodist Church
        • Sydney Brewster, Christ Church Member
        • Phil Bertrand, New Thought Center for Spiritual Living
        • Rev. Masando Hiraoka, Associate Minister, New Thought Center for Spiritual Living

        Calendar of Events

          Quarterly Coffees
          May Panel - May 18, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm

          Join us for a inspirational panel on how core religious tenets relate to sustainability with local religious leaders

          LEARN MORE…

          Contact

          Quarterly Interfaith Coffees

          Participating Faith Institutions

          Beit Haverim

          Christ Church Episcopal Parish

          Lake Grove Presbyterian

          Lake Oswego Bahá’í Center

          Lake Oswego United Church of Christ

          Lake Oswego United Methodist Church

          Mountain Park Church

          New Thought Center for Spiritual Living

          The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints

          Beth Sholom Temple: Salem

          Bridge City Friends

          Oak Hills Presbyterian: Milwaukie

          First Presbyterian: Portland

          St. Andrew Lutheran: Beaverton

          Southminster Presbyterian: Beaverton

          Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon

          Schools

          Aug 2, 2020

          Schools

          Overview

          The Schools Action Team started as a way to connect parents in different schools that were working on sustainability with informal coffees. Once the Lake Oswego School District became a LOSN partner, we chose three primary focus areas: facilities, school gardens, and Green School Certification. Activities in all these areas continue. In addition the team is working on food, curriculum development and incorporating sustainability more broadly in the district.

          Vision 

          Lake Oswego School District becomes a regional leader through the integration of sustainability into school facilities, functions, and curriculum.

          Goals

          Incorporate sustainability into LO School District.  Specifically focus on the following areas:

          1. Facilities: Incorporate sustainability in new construction and remodels of the schools.
          2. Gardens: Development gardens in all LO schools.
          3. Green School Certification: Support the development and maintenance of Oregon Green Schools certification.
          4. Curriculum: Facilitate the incorporation of sustainability in Curriculum
          5. Food: Support food service in increasing sustainable food options – organic, local, and plant-based

          Partners

           Leaders

          • Dorothy Atwood, LOSN Board Member
          • Stephanie Wagner, LOSN Board Member, Chair of the Oswego Lake Watershed Council
          • Larry Zurcher, LOSD Sustainability Teacher on Special Assignment
          • Breck Foster, LO High School Teacher, LO School District parent
          • Liz Welsh, LO School District parent
          • Courtney Clements, LO School District parent

          Contact

          Lakeridge Middle School

          Lakeridge Middle School

          Hallinan Elementary School Garden

          Hallinan Elementary School Garden

          Hallinan Outdoor Classroom

          Hallinan Outdoor Classroom

          School Garden

          Oak Creek Elementary School Garden

          Projects

          1. Help implement the LO School District Strategic Plan Sustainability Priority.
          2. Support the LOSN  Sustainability Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA)
          3. Host three to four networking coffees for school parents working on sustainability.
          4. Support teachers and schools in developing sustainability components for curriculum
          5. Provide support and facilitation for school garden coordinators
          6. Work with the district Food Services Director to incorporate sustainability.

            Business

            Aug 2, 2020

            Business

            Overview

            The economy is one of the three pillars of sustainability along with the environment and social equity. Our local businesses have an important role in moving forward to a sustainable future. LOSN is working with local businesses to show how sustainability practices can reduce cost, bring in new customers and open new markets with sustainability-oriented product and service offerings.

            Vision 

            All Lake Oswego businesses understand the value of sustainability and are working towards becoming more sustainable in their practices.

            Goals

            Assist Lake Oswego businesses to adopt sustainable practices.

             Partners

            Projects

            1. Work with the Lake Oswego Chamber to educate members on sustainability.
            2. Look for opportunities for businesses to take advantage of tax credits through the Inflation Reduction Act that reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
            3. Collaborate with Clackamas County to promote the Leaders in Sustainability certification program.

            Areas of Interest

            1. Incorporate sustainability into the city’s economic development strategy
            2. Engage with LOSN’s Business partners to determine:
              1. How LOSN can support their sustainability goals
              2. How they can support sustainability with LOSN

            Resources 

            Contact

            Linda Ganzini  lganzini@losn.org

            Leaders

            • Dorothy Atwood
            • Linda Ganzini
            Lake Theater & Cafe
            B Corp Certification