<Sustainability>

To learn more about sustainability and how you can get involved, take a look at these resources:

- A citywide project to envision the community’s desired future for Lake Oswego in 2035, and outline the policies and steps to get us there.

Sustainability at Home - A Toolkit: Decision-making Help for Your Everyday Choices

Ten Tips for More Sustainable Living

NW Earth Institute: Discussion Courses on Sustainability

Natural Step US Sustainability Primer

Natural Step Case Studies and Links

Lake Oswego Comprehensive Plan Update Article from TNS December 2010 Newsletter

Train-the-Trainer Workshop

A sustainable Lake Oswego is a community that meets the vital human needs of the present without compromising our ability to meet future needs. This requires consideration of both long-term and short-term effects on ecological, economic, and community systems. Operating sustainably means that we are leaving a legacy for the community of Lake Oswego and the planet. (From City of Lake Oswego Sustainable City Vision and Guiding Principles)

Sustainability is a journey rather than a destination. A sustainable city is one that protects and enhances the immediate and long-term well-being of the community and its citizens, while providing the highest quality of life possible. Sustainability requires systems-based decision-making that takes into account economic, ecological, and community impacts as a whole.

The City of Lake Oswego recognizes that local government plays a vital role in fostering sustainability and is committed to adopting, implementing, and maintaining sustainable practices.

The City is part of a worldwide movement to create a more sustainable future. Key global mileposts include the creation of the World Commission of Environment and Development (the Brundtland Commission), the Rio Earth Summit of the United Nations, the U.S. President’s Council report on Sustainable Development, the World Summit on Sustainable Development, and establishment of the United Nations Division on Sustainable Development. To learn more about the global sustainability movement, click here for related links and resources.

Closer to home, the State of Oregon, several Oregon cities and counties, business leaders, and non-profits are advancing sustainable development, with the concept gaining widespread support among many sectors. To learn more about state, regional, and local efforts, just follow the links. Here in Lake Oswego, the City Council has included sustainability in its adopted goals since 2002. The Council's Goal for 2009 addressing sustainability was:

While maintaining a sound infrastructure, taking actions that support a sustainable future, and improving quality of life remain significant goals, 2010 and 2011 Council goals are more focused directly on Council action. Council Goals can be found here.

To provide a coordinated approach for moving the City toward operating more sustainably, a steering committee of City staff was established in September 2006. The Steering Committee, comprised of staff people from various City departments, was charged with evaluating the current level of sustainability in City policies, programs, and practices and making recommendations, culminating in the City of Lake Oswego Sustainability Plan, adopted by the City Council in November 2007. The Steering Committee and its action area teams are continuing to meet and work on projects identified in the Plan.

The Plan includes a Sustainable City Vision and Guiding Principles which are intended to guide all City sustainability efforts by providing a common understanding of sustainability and a vision for the future. The Vision and Guiding Principles also help to ensure that wise business decisions are made regarding the investment of public funds while promoting the conservation and efficient use of energy, water, native habitats, and other natural resources, and considering the social and community implications of actions. It is hoped that improved processes will result in efficiencies that save time and money, enhance and restore the natural environment, and contribute to a healthy and vibrant workplace and community where all can thrive.

For a better understanding of what actions might be taken to ensure a sustainable future, the City used a sustainability framework to develop sustainable end points, goals, milestones, and performance measures for each of the action areas included in the Plan. Consideration of the four Sustainability Framework Objectives provides a systematic, integrated approach for understanding ecological, economic, and social impacts. This framework will continue to guide the work of the Steering Committee and its action area teams.

Many of the milestones outlined in the Plan have been accomplished, are on-going, or will be implemented as time and resources allow. Additionally, projects and programs that have been in place are on-going, with new projects being initiated within and across many departments and facilities. The Plan will be updated annually to reflect progress toward targets and goals, refine milestones, and develop or update action area work plans, as needed. Sustainability Accomplishments for 2008 are summarized here.

In early 2008, the City Council approved the establishment of a community sustainability advisory board. The Sustainability Advisory Board (SAB), with 11 members, including two youth members, engages Lake Oswego residents, businesses, and other community stakeholders to provide information and education opportunities; provides policy support to the City Council; and works to determine community concerns and priorities to move toward a sustainable Lake Oswego.

The City's Comprehensive Plan update, now underway, is using sustainability as a guiding set of principles. Visit the We Love Lake Oswego website to learn how you can get involved in shaping the future of Lake Oswego.

The City’s efforts to share information and coordinate efforts with Lake Oswego residents, businesses, employees, regional partners, and others are on-going. Periodic articles in the Hello LO and the LODown Weekly News cover topics related to City sustainability efforts and resources for sustainable living and business. Additionally, links to a sampling of internet resources and Lake Oswego library resources can be found here.