Oregon State University
PAE-19: Community Sustainability Partnerships

OSU is one of the leading partners in the the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition which is a network of organizations and individuals in Corvallis, Oregon. It was formed in 2007 to bring together businesses, non-profits, faith communities, educational institutions, and government entities in the Corvallis area to accelerate the creation of a sustainable community - one that values environmental quality, social equity, and economic vitality. Participation in the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition is open to local organizations and individuals who support its vision, mission, goals and guiding objectives. There are currently 190 organizations that have joined the Coalition as partners, including groups as diverse as the Corvallis-Benton Chamber Coalition, OSU Student Sustainability Initiative, and the League of Women Voters of Corvallis. In addition to the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition, OSU has a partnership with the Natural Step Network. The Oregon Natural Step Network was formed to support Oregon business, governmental, and educational organizations interested in using The Natural Step (TNS) framework for sustainability. The Network is a membership organization open to interested organizations and individuals. OSU is a member, supporting the Corvallis Chapter of ORTNS. OSU has recently been awarded by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching with a “Community Engagement” designation, one of only 115 in the nation. OSU also participates in/with: Corvallis Energy Challenge This year-long event, which began in March 2008, is a result of a partnership between the Energy Trust of Oregon and the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition. The goal is to encourage energy efficiency, control energy costs and help Corvallis residents and business utilize renewable energies. Corvallis Environmental Center The mission of the CEC is to provide learning opportunities and technical outreach to Corvallis area residents and businesses, giving them tools to pursue ecologically, socially, and economically sustainable practices.