NOMINATE A Sustainability Champion!

Gorge Owned is calling for nominations for the 9th annual Tod J. LeFevre Sustainability Champion Awards. This award celebrates individuals, businesses, organizations and students working on innovative, creative solutions to the environmental and social issues facing the Gorge while also demonstrating that such solutions can be economically viable. They are passionate leaders who exemplify the importance of trying to meet our current needs without compromising the well-being of future generations.

The selection committee will consider the following when making its selections of the award winners:

Local Connection — The impact of the champion’s work should be in the Columbia River Gorge.

Environmental Impact — Tod was committed to being the change he wanted to be in the world. The nominee must be helping protect the environment through their actions — whether at home, work, school and/or or in the wider community.

Social Impact — Tod loved to volunteer and do good in the community for the sake of doing good. Nominees that are having a positive social impact, in addition to environmental impact, will be looked upon favorably.

Innovation — An engineer and small business owner, Tod embraced innovation and creativity. Nominees and projects that are testing a new concept to solve an environmental and/or social problem in our community will be looked upon favorably.

Educational – Tod loved to educate and often taught classes on green building and renewable energy. Nominees with some type of educational component will be looked upon favorably.

Nominations Due April 15, 2019

Nominations for the Tod J. LeFevre Sustainability Champion Awards will be accepted until April 15, 2019, and announced Saturday, April 27, 2019 at the Earth Week Electric Bike Demo Day at Oregon e-Bikes in downtown Hood River. To nominate an individual or an organization, please fill out this simple form. 

About Tod J. LeFevre

Tod J. LeFevre, a longtime resident of Hood River and a true champion of sustainability. Tod passed away on March 7, 2011 when his long struggle with pulmonary fibrosis ended before donor lungs could be found. Among many other things, Tod was a respected civil engineer, green building advocate, a mountaineer, skier, adventurer, innovator and teacher. He launched a solar engineering and installation firm, Common Energy, which is now owned by Scott Sorensen. Tod and Marti have two children, Cassell and Sutton Bell. This award honors Tod and his humble determination to collaboratively tackle environmental problems, through his business and through community service.