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

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

“Oregonians are change makers,” said Ann Craig, director of public programs at the museum. “Every day, people and organizations across the state are endeavoring to create a more just, equitable and sustainable Oregon. This award is designed to recognize and celebrate their work.”  

The recipient of the award will receive $1,000 and be recognized at an April 3 award reception, in museum publications and on an “Oregon Heroes” display panel in the museum's Explore Oregon exhibit.   

Online nominations for the 2020 award must be submitted by Friday, Jan. 31, and the recipient will be announced March 8. Nomination forms are available on the museum’s website.  

Oregon individuals, community groups, nonprofit organizations, 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 cultural heritage.  

To be considered for the 2020 award, projects must have meaningful community impact and be ongoing or completed during the 2019 calendar year.  

Past awards have recognized Coos Bay’s Marshfield High School for its stewardship of the historic Marshfield Pioneer Cemetery and Ontario’s Four Rivers Cultural Center for its Tradition Keepers Folklife Festival, a daylong public celebration of traditional arts and artists in Eastern Oregon.  

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

—By Kristin Strommer, Museum of Natural and Cultural History