Sustainability

Sustainability was selected by the City Council in 2021 as one of five values guiding the Council's vision for "a clean, green and safe community for all." The City has pursued several eco-friendly programs and initiatives, past and present. This list is not exhaustive; rather it represents many of the ways in which the City seeks to operate sustainably to provide a better quality of life for future generations. 

PGE Green Future

The City is a participant in Portland Gas & Electric's Green Future Enterprise and Green Future Impact Programs.  Participation in Green Future programs helps the City reduce carbon by sourcing electricity from new regional wind and solar facilities being built from our investment and that of other businesses and entities committed to reducing greenhouse gases. 

SMART Master Plan

The City's transit agency, South Metro Area Regional Transit (SMART), is committed to doing its part to reduce its fleet's carbon emissions. The Transit Master Plan includes the agency's declaration that it's fleet will rely entirely upon alternative energy sources by 2028. 

SMART was among the first agencies in Oregon to successfully employ battery-electric buses.  Also, by providing fare-free transit on all routes operating within City limits, SMART is keeping cars off roads. 

LED Street Light Replacement Project

In 2021-22, the City of Wilsonville completed an LED Fixture Conversion of City streetlights, replacing high-pressure sodium (HPS) streetlights throughout Wilsonville with energy-efficient Light Emitting Diode (LED) in 10 residential neighborhoods and along the City's major streets. LED lighting that saves money, requires less maintenance and is more environment-friendly.

Tree City USA / Heritage Tree Program

Wilsonville is committed the preservation of its rich urban forest.  Native and planted trees contribute to the seasonal beauty and livability of the community. Whether it is a majestic 200-year old Oregon White Oak, or a young Flowering Cherry, trees greatly contribute to our sense of place and quality of life. Trees clean the air, conserve the soil and water, and reduce heating and cooling costs.

The City's commitment to its trees has been rewarded annually since 1997, when Wilsonville was first named a "Tree City USA" by the National Arbor Day Foundation.  Wilsonville has been granted numerous "Growth Awards" for outstanding efforts on urban forest projects, and also has established a Heritage Tree Program, which seeks to preserve trees of special historical significance.

Integrated Pest Management Program

Wilsonville's Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program, established in 2018, offers a broad-based approach that relies on a combination of common-sense pest management alternatives to pesticide use whenever possible. The program, which resulted in a reduction in pesticide use, identifies management areas and key pests of concern and outlines approaches mindful of pest biology and the resources of the responsible organization while minimizing the risk associated with pest management.

Bee City USA / Pollinator Protection 

In the wake of Wilsonville's historic 2013 bee kill, the City has emerged as a leader in pollinator protection.  In August 2017, the Wilsonville's City Council signed Resolution No. 2650, recognizing the City's membership in Bee City USA, a national program that establishes benchmarks for creating sustainable pollinator habitats. 

In 2021, a pollinator garden was installed in Memorial Park. It features four distinct gardens of varying sizes to demonstrate examples of pollinator-friendly gardens that can be replicated by homeowners. The project was designed and installed by City staff and funded by the Wilsonville-Metro Community Enhancement Program.

The City encourages residents to join the City as Bee Stewards. 

How to Support Sustainability

Regional Sustainability Initiatives 

Metro Climate Smart Strategy

In 2014, the City of Wilsonville and SMART joined other local and state agencies to develop Metro's Climate Smart Strategy, a set of policies, strategies and near-term actions to guide how the region moves forward to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  The Climate Smart Strategy fulfills a 2009 mandate by the Oregon Legislature, requiring Metro to develop and implement a strategy to reduce the region's per capita greenhouse gas emissions from cars and light trucks at least 20 percent by 2035. From its inception, the Climate Smart Strategy has been defined by partnership; to inform the plan, Metro worked with elected officials, community and business leaders across the region, and thousands of residents who shared their priorities.

Clackamas County Climate Action Plan

Clackamas County is working to develop a Climate Action Plan that provides specific strategies to support the goal of being carbon neutral by 2050.  Wilsonville is to support this effort by working with the community to develop a climate action plan.

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