(LAKE OSWEGO) — Dorothy Atwood frames the golden rule — treating others how they would want to be treated — in a futuristic way.
She would like people to treat people who have yet to be born with the same compassionate care that they would want for themselves.
For the last three decades, Atwood has lived up to this mantra by helping to found the Lake Oswego Sustainability Network, working closely with the city of Lake Oswego and Lake Oswego School District to advance sustainability initiatives and more.
“One person described her as the energizer bunny. She has so much energy and is always willing to take on projects. She has been a delight to work with. She’s very competent, very thorough; she follows through on things,” said Lake Oswego Sustainability Network co-founder Duke Castle.
Atwood moved to Lake Oswego in 1991 and continued her career as an environmental consultant. In 2000, she switched focuses from environmental clean-up work (where she worked with companies to meet existing regulations) toward helping organizations take a forward-thinking approach to sustainability.
Atwood’s environmental focus was just as persistent when she wasn't working. She helped start the parent-led Eco-Think program at Lake Grove Elementary School, where students received regular sustainability lessons.
Meanwhile, she has worked with the city to develop a sustainability program, served on its sustainability advisory board, and recently advised the city on sustainability within its new wastewater treatment plant plan. Also, she recently co-chaired a sustainability committee the school district created to advise its strategic planning process.
“She was very prominent in lobbying for sustainability to be one of the five attributes that would guide (the district), which they accepted,” Castle said.
Atwood, Castle and others started the Lake Oswego Sustainability Network in 2013 after the city considered eliminating its sustainability coordinator position (it ended up keeping it). Now, the organization hosts an electric vehicle fair, provides resources for people to electrify their home appliances and works with schools to advance sustainability practices. Atwood also talks with kids about sustainability on nature walks hosted by the Oswego Lake Watershed Council.
Though she said there is always more a community could do, Atwood is proud that the Lake Oswego community has been ahead of the curve in adopting electric vehicles and equipment.
“It is a relatively small community, and you can see that we have moved the dial. That’s been rewarding. We are making a difference,” she said. “You can get really depressed about it (climate change). I talked to high school students, and they are really concerned. Instead of being depressed and upset, and that’s there and in the back of my mind, but (it's about) having a way of doing something and getting others engaged to feel like they are doing something.”
Atwood is also on the board of Hunger Fighters of Oregon, a Lake Oswego organization that provides food and other necessities to residents in need. She said she is proud of how the organization adapted during the pandemic and how it has invested in staffing positions.
Atwood recommended that community members who are concerned about climate change and want to reduce their impact on the environment contact the sustainability network. For more information, visit them online ( losn.org ).
“Let us help you realize your sustainability dreams. If you want to do something, this is an organization that can provide support for you to do that,” she said.
Most Popular
Comments / 0