Scholars from the London School of Economics
Office of Sustainability director, John Wasiutynski, and Emergency Management teamed up to answer questions from visiting scholars from the London School of Economics. Their sharp insightful questions show that the next generation of leaders takes sustainability and community resilience seriously. 🌎
Stormwater tree well
Trees in stormwater tree wells along sidewalk
Man speaking about tree to small crowd
Woman presenting with large posters on table
Thank you to our partners at the City of Gresham for giving us a tour of the city's new stormwater tree wells! 🌳
We love seeing sustainable additions to our cities and are so excited for these new trees, which will reduce pollution along these busy streets and help cool the community.
Monique Smiley and Verde staff posing with discount postcards
We recently dropped off resource postcards at Verde and other local partner offices to help community members access bill discounts and avoid shut-offs.
Need these for your community?
Request physical copies: sustainability@multco.us
Download & Print: multco.us/info/utility...
This year’s Women’s History Month theme is Women Shaping a Sustainable Future. We wanted to take this opportunity to honor an incredible woman, Amy Joslin, who helped guide and shape the future of sustainability at Multnomah County.
Learn more about Amy’s impact: multco.us/news/womens-...
Are you an undergraduate student or recent graduate? Do you have a passion for energy, sustainability, and climate justice?
If so, you should apply for the office of sustainability's summer internship! 🌞
Application is open through April 8: multco.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Multco...
Multnomah County & AYCO staff posing in front of a banner
Last week, our team toured the African Youth & Community Organization (AYCO) Dream Center. As a culturally specific resilience hub in Multnomah County, the center is a model for the future - featuring solar power and battery backup infrastructure to ensure the community remains powered & protected.
Staff from Multnomah County's Environmental Health team, Blueprint Foundation, & Neighbors for Clean Air are hosting a community education event this Saturday. If you are interested in air quality monitoring, data, and wildfire preparedness, we'd love for you to join us!
RSVP: tinyurl.com/yc24rrsh
Happy Women’s History Month! 💕
The theme for this year is Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future. Thank you to all the women - past, present, and future - who work to make the world a better place 💕
Man presenting to group
Group of people sitting around a table watching a presentation
Woman presenting to group
Had a productive session with Corbett residents yesterday discussing our draft Climate Justice Plan. From addressing woodsmoke & food security to preparing for extreme weather, we dove into the unique needs of older adults in our rural communities. Huge thanks to the Columbia Grange for hosting us!
Man speaking at podium
Man speaking with woman
Woman speaking at podium
Man presenting at podium to a crowd
Had the best time at Holladay Park Plaza last week! 🌿
There’s nothing quite like talking shop with retired professors who are still dedicated to changing the world. We spent the evening diving into the details of climate justice planning and how we can build a more equitable future together.
We're ecstatic to announce that the Office of Sustainability has received an almost $1 million grant from the Oregon Department of Energy!
This grant will fund the installation of a solar energy system at the CROPS farm in Troutdale.
Learn more: multco.us/news/news-re...
Black History Month recognizes that the fight for a healthy planet is inseparable from the fight for civil rights.
Learn more about two local leading voices in the environmental justice movement, Dr. Derron Coles and Taren Evans, at multco.us/news/black-h....
Multnomah County residents protesting for climate action
Last week, in a move opposed by Multnomah County and the City of Portland, the EPA rolled back rules that regulated greenhouse gas emissions.
Read County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson's and Mayor Keith Wilson's responses to this rollback here: multco.us/news/chair-j...
We are co-hosting a virtual community workshop on the current energy utility disconnection moratorium and other recently strengthened disconnection protections. Join us on Thursday, February 19 to learn more about utility protections in Multnomah County!
RSVP at: tinyurl.com/DisconnectionWorkshop
When we say climate justice, we mean that reducing emissions, increasing participation in decision making, and economic justice all go hand in hand. Read more about our partnership to bring more voices to the energy policy table here: multco.us/news/energy-...
#ClimateJustice #EnergyJustice
2025 was a busy year for the Office of Sustainability and there is a lot to be proud of. From doubling funding for utility bill assistance grants to distributing AC units to households in need, our team has been hard at work. Check out some of our 2025 accomplishments here: multco.us/news/2025-of...
Last week, the Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted the East Multnomah County Transportation Safety Action Plan (TSAP)! Learn more about the plan to improve safety on east Multnomah County’s urban roads here: multco.us/info/urban-e...
Burning wood, even in a fireplace, can have negative impacts on your health and the environment. There are also better ways of staying warm. Learn about alternative heat sources and ways to minimize the impact at archive.md/pP1Ms
And remember, always check before you burn: multco.us/info/wood-bu...
The Advisory Committee on Sustainability & Innovation (ACSI) has released its annual letter to the Board of County Commissioners. Read the full letter below!
multco.us/news/2025-ac...
Thanks in part to advocacy by the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners, Pacific Power, Portland General Electric (PGE), and NW Natural have extended disconnection protections for certain at-risk customers through March 1, 2026.
Learn more: multco.us/news/board-c...
The Multnomah Youth Commission is offering up to $7,500 in grant funding for youth environmental and transit projects! This is a great opportunity and we encourage local youth-led environmental organizations to apply.
Learn more and apply at multco.us/news/youth-e...
Tuesday, December 16th, is our LAST COMMUNITY FORUM!
Our final Climate Justice Plan goal is that every community member has safe, healthy, and affordable housing.
Don't miss your last chance to make your voice heard and share your input!
Learn more and register: multco.us/info/climate...
Join us for our next community forum: Fossil Fuels
We believe every community member should be safe from the risks posed by fossil fuels & energy infrastructure. Attend in-person or online to help us develop the strategies and metrics for this goal.
Learn more and register: multco.us/info/climate...
We were recently recognized as one of this year's Clean Air Champions by Neighbors for Clean Air! The award is given to individuals and organizations who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to improving air quality.
Read more: multco.us/news/office-...
Only three community forums left! On Tuesday, we will be discussing affordable clean energy. Join us in-person or online to help revise the strategies and metrics we will use to work toward and measure this goal.
Learn more and register: multco.us/info/climate...
CSA Partnerships for Health Celebrates Ten Years of Nourishing Families, Farmers, and Community!
Learn more: healthcenter.multco.us/events-and-s...
Watch the video: vimeo.com/1136636976?s...
Passionate about transportation and pedestrian infrastructure? Join us tomorrow in-person or online for our next Climate Justice Plan community forum! We will discuss the metrics and strategies for our Transit goal.
Learn more and register here: multco.us/info/climate...
Our Climate Justice Plan community forums are back! Join us tomorrow online or at the Multnomah Building to discuss nature, parks, and green infrastructure.
Learn more and register here: multco.us/info/climate...
Only a few weeks left! Apply for our Advisory Committee for Sustainability & Innovation (ACSI) to help create lasting, systemic change at the local level.
Learn more and apply here: multco.us/info/apply-t...
We spent Sunday evening with the powerful voices of the Multnomah Youth Commission, engaging in a fun activity to explore the meaning of climate change and how we approach climate justice planning. Their thoughtful questions & valuable feedback will be crucial for developing the final CJP plan!