From left: Ruby Bebekian, Northwest Youth Corps; Lea Wilson, City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services (BES); Amy Chomowicz, BES; Kim Settler, Neighbors for a Livable West Linn; Jennifer Karps, BES; Anne Phillip, BES; Whitney Dorer, Friends of Trees; Matt Krueger, BES; Charissa Jones, Tualatin Riverkeepers; Mat Dorfman, BES; Nancy Bond, Portland Public Schools
Congratulations to the 2017 winners!
Force of Nature Awards recognize and celebrate efforts to advance a robust, regionwide network of interconnected parks, trails and natural areas, and the connection of our residents to these special places. Our goal is that over time the awards will showcase not only the breadth, but also the broad geographic scope, of accomplishments. The 2017 winners were celebrated Oct. 18 at The Intertwine Alliance's Fall Summit at the Oregon Zoo.
PAST WINNERS
2016
2014
2013
2017 AWARD DESCRIPTIONS & CRITERIA
Outstanding Organizational Achievement and/or Special Project – Large organization (budget over $1M)
This award goes to an organization that has played a leading role in accomplishing a major collaborative project, maximizing strategic partnerships and resources. It can also focus on a specific project in which a number of key partners created a signature effort unique in the region.
Award Criteria:
- Execution/implementation of a major project or initiative in the preceding year, or
- An organization or project that has had major impact over a long period of time
- Organization that has played a leadership role in a specific project
- Project with significant collaborative elements
- Program/project that takes an innovative approach to solving a significant community challenge
- Organization or project that uses innovative approaches to achieve results
Outstanding Organizational Achievement and/or Special Project – Small/mid-size organization (budget under $1M)
This award goes to an organization that has played a leading role in accomplishing a major collaborative project, maximizing strategic partnerships and resources. It can also focus on a specific project in which a number of key partners have created a signature effort unique in the region.
Award Criteria:
- Execution/implementation of a major project or initiative in the preceding year, or
- An organization or project that has had major impact over a long period of time
- Organization that has played a leadership role in a particular project
- Project with significant collaborative elements
- Program/project that takes an innovative approach to solving a significant community challenge
- Organization or project that uses innovative approaches to achieve results
Outstanding Young Professional
This award goes to an individual under 35 years old who has demonstrated the qualities of leadership, working collaboratively and using innovative approaches to problem solving.
Award Criteria:
- Nominee must be 35 years old or younger
- Numerous accomplishments up to this point in career
- Shows clear leadership abilities
- Displays innovative and collaborative approaches to projects
Equity and the Environment
New this year, this award goes to an organizational effort to incorporate equity and inclusion into ongoing work, building new bridges within the community and involving connections to underserved audiences. Programs/projects will demonstrate comprehensive internal organizational commitment to this effort and some level of organizational transformation/transition.
Award criteria:
- Organization must have equity as part of its institutional mission and/or goals
- Organizational effort must have been going on for at least one year, with some level of internal transformation occurring
Lifetime Achievement
This award honors an individual who has made significant contributions to the legacy of this movement in our region through leadership, vision and partnership building.
Award Criteria:
- More than 10 years involvement in completing major projects in The Intertwine region
- Has had a significant impact on communities within the region, helping to make them healthier and more sustainable
- Consistency of effort over time
- Impact on multiple organizations and people
- Displays an innovative, collaborative approach to achieving goals