The Museum of Natural and Cultural History is now accepting nominations for its fifth annual Oregon Stewardship Award.

Spearheaded by the museum’s advisory council, the annual award recognizes an environmental or cultural project that has involved its community in meaningful ways and aligns with the museum's mission to inspire stewardship of Oregon’s collective past, present and future.

The winning project will receive a $1,000 award and be recognized in the museum's Explore Oregon exhibit.

Projects coordinated by Oregon community groups, nonprofit organizations, individuals, K-12 schools and higher education institutions are all eligible nominees, as are national and regional organizations with offices or affiliates in Oregon. Eligible projects are Oregon-based and relate directly to Oregon’s environment or cultures.

“So many fantastic organizations across the state engage their communities in inspiring and creative stewardship projects,” said Ann Craig, an associate director at the museum. “The Oregon Stewardship Award recognizes their work to create a more equitable and sustainable Oregon for us all.”

To be considered, projects must have meaningful community impact and be ongoing or completed during the 2021 calendar year.

The museum invites groups to self-nominate by March 13. Nominations also will be accepted from third parties wishing to recognize a group's or individual's stewardship of Oregon’s environment or cultural heritage.

— by Lauren Willis, Museum of Natural and Cultural History