EARTH DAY NORTHWEST 2020 PROJECT TOOLKIT
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EARTH DAY NORTHWEST 2020 PROJECT TOOLKIT
We intend to capture the opportunity of Earth Day's 50th anniversary in 2020 to pivot
our Pacific Northwest towards robust and vibrant sustainability. To set the foundation for
our region, Earth Day Northwest 2020 will encompass all that the past has embodied and
exemplify the possibilities for a truly sustainable future.
A sustainable Pacific Northwest requires that we keep front and center three objectives –
we call these the three pillars of sustainability:
protecting the environment,
increasing equity and inclusion, and
improving our communities.
Earth Day Northwest 2020’s unabashed goal is to leave a generational legacy of regional
sustainability for the next 50 years and beyond. Together, we will own our impact and chart a
path forward.
This is a working document. Last updated: 12/10/2018 1THREE PILLARS OF A SUCCESSFUL PROJECT
Earth Day Northwest 2020 projects should:
Materially improve the Significantly advance Substantively enrich the
environment equity and inclusion built environment
All else springs from a healthy If everyone is not welcome Sustainable communities require
environment and vital here, then at some point none efforts to improve the built
ecosystems. of us may be. A sustainable environment (transportation,
region means it is sustainable infrastructure, buildings, work
for all of us. conditions, etc.) and benefit
• Have clear and measurable public health. Strong
environmental outcome(s). communities are fundamental to
• Ensure that everyone –
regardless of race, gender, a sustainable future.
• Incorporate key
ability, religion, nationality,
environmental benefits
orientation, or economic
and/or increase awareness • Demonstrate improved
status – has a place.
and appreciation of the infrastructure and/or services
environment. that enhance the space(s)
• Provide an assessment
of impact(s), including the where people live, work and
• Use strategies that support recreate.
benefit and/or burden to
sustainability locally and
stakeholders, and
increase the resiliency of the • Advance methodologies
strategies to create greater
region. that build safe and
equity or minimize
unintended consequences. economically sustainable
communities.
Projects should be founded on these three pillars – not by lofty declaration, but by on-the-ground
change.
Earth Day Northwest 2020 is committed to using on-the-ground projects to show we can head
towards a sustainable future as a region. The criteria are not absolute or declarative – instead they
are interactive to foster productive collaboration with and between project partners.
2HOW YOU SHOULD USE THIS TOOLKIT
This toolkit provides a framework with step by step prompts to help partners think through and
communicate how the proposed project meets Earth Day Northwest 2020's pillars. It is a guide
to choosing, setting outcomes and planning a project.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Project Outcomes............................................4
Pillars: Specific Guidelines...............................5
SMART Goal Planning Guide..........................6
Project Examples.............................................7
Key Project Submission Dates.........................8
3USE THESE GUIDELINES AS YOU THINK ABOUT PROJECT IDEAS AND START
TO SET YOUR OUTCOMES:
Improving
the Environment
Sustainability
Advancing Equity Enriching the
and Inclusion Built Environment
Is it sustainable and resilient – will the impact reach beyond 2020?
Does it look for ways to get people involved beyond a one-day event? Does it
increase knowledge of the issues or inspire ongoing action?
Is it holistic and diverse – does it ensure that everyone (regardless of race,
gender, ability, religion, nationality, orientation, or economic status) has a place?
Does it work towards a community that is sustainable for everyone?
Does it inspire community involvement and foster action steps?
Is it a rallying point for the community that will instill a stronger and long-term
commitment?
Does it have clear and measurable objectives?
How does it move toward sustainability?
4PILLARS: SPECIFIC GUIDELINES
Environment Equity and Inclusion Built Environment
is the water we drink, the air embodies how we care for encompasses the purposeful
we breathe and the each other. We must ensure design of the spaces where we
communities in which we that communities are healthy live, work and recreate. The key
live. Creating a healthy for everyone (regardless of to a sustainable future is to
environment means working race, gender, ability, religion, build communities where all of
to improve the air, water and nationality, orientation, or us can lead lives of dignity and
land. economic status). purpose.
What are specific What are the specific equity What are the specific
environmental outcomes and inclusion outcomes you outcomes you aim to
you aim to achieve with aim to achieve? achieve in the community?
this project?
How does it advance equity How does it enrich the built
How does it materially and inclusion? environment?
improve the environment?
Who is most directly What is its long-term impact
What is its long-term impacted? Who is on the community?
impact? secondarily impacted?
Does it offer tangible ways to
Does it work toward a Are steps needed to improve infrastructure and/
sustainable future for minimize harm or or services?
everyone? unintended consequences
in these communities? Do other stakeholders need
to be included? How will you
Should additional involve them?
stakeholders be involved?
How will you identify and
involve these stakeholders?
5SMART GOAL PLANNING GUIDE
SMART (Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Relevant and Time-Bound) goal setting helps to
structure and track your goals and objectives. Follow this SMART goal-planning guide to create
a verifiable path towards your objectives with clear milestones and timelines.
Specific: Goals should be simple and clearly defined.
Determine what you aim to achieve and who it may impact.
Measurable: Goals should demonstrate tangible progress towards the desired outcome.
Identify specific evaluation metrics to track progress.
Actionable: Goals should be challenging yet feasible and well-defined.
Identify potential obstacles.
Identify needed resources and potential partners.
Relevant: Goals should tie into key responsibilities and objectives.
Determine how the project impacts all three pillars of sustainability – if it doesn't, could working
with other partners help?
Time-Bound: Goals should be structured around manageable deadlines.
Outline how you will track and measure progress.
Determine how and when you will report back on your progress.
Include how you and your team will stay accountable for meeting goals and deadlines.
6PROJECT EXAMPLES
The following ideas are some examples of potential Earth Day Northwest 2020 projects. The goal is
for companies, non-profits, faith groups and governments from across the spectrum to challenge
themselves by making a public, verifiable commitment to do something big, tangible and extra that
betters the environment, community, equity and inclusion – reinforcing and, more importantly,
redefining a truly sustainable Pacific Northwest.
An organization might embark on a waste stream reduction program throughout their network.
As part of this effort, they could develop a challenge to other organizations within their
industry to reduce waste and incorporate direct benefits by reducing materials being sent to
landfills – a primary contributor to greenhouse gas output in the United States.
An organization could consider a comprehensive employee engagement or membership
campaign directed at understanding and promoting the reduction of single-use plastic through
individual and collective actions.
An organization may challenge itself to meet or exceed a carbon emission goal by 2020. For
example, if an organization has an existing goal to be carbon neutral by 2030, they could
commit to reaching that goal by 2025 – or even 2020.
An organization that has a strong social media presence may commit to running a dedicated
social media campaign that reaches new audiences to support sustainability and increases
employee and customer activations.
An organization committed to improving equity and access to outdoor recreation opportunities
may partner with other organizations to help them identify and remove barriers that limit
participation from all groups.
An organization with multiple locations might look at installing fast electric vehicle charging
stations to improve access for customers, employees and potentially the general public. This
effort could include a partnership with ride-sharing services to support the adoption of electric
vehicles and encourage ride sharing.
An organization that runs after-school programs might integrate a curriculum centered on
sustainability education and individual action.
7KEY PROJECT SUBMISSION DATES
March 2019
March 1: Initial project submission deadline
March 5-25: Earth Day Northwest 2020 staff and Leadership Group will review initial
project submissions
April 2019
Earth Day Northwest 2020 kickoff and initial project announcements
March 2020
March 1: Final project submission deadline
March 5-25: Earth Day Northwest 2020 staff and Leadership Group will review
project submissions
April 22, 2020: Earth Day 2020
PROJECT SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Please complete a project submission form (word document).
Please contact Earth Day Northwest 2020 Executive Director, Kristi England if you
have any questions or to receive a project submission form:
Email: kengland@forterra.org
Phone: 206-905-6923
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