Civil 20 Competitors

Air, water, food, shelter, income: nature sustains every aspect of our lives. That's why protecting and conserving nature isn't just a matter of common sense. It's the smartest investment we can make. Since our founding in 1951, The Nature Conservancy has harnessed the power of nature to help solve our planet’s most challenging problems. And while the stakes are high, so is our resolve: to create a world where everyone thrives alongside nature for generations to come. We do this by working hand in hand with communities around the world. By committing to a science-based, non-partisan approach that’s stood the test of time. And by bringing people together, from all walks of life, to find common ground in nature.

WRI works to improve people’s lives, protect and restore nature and stabilize the climate. As an independent research non-profit organization, we leverage our data, expertise and global reach to influence policy and catalyze change across systems like food, land and water; energy; and cities. With a global network of teams and offices across multiple regions, our 2,000+ staff work on the ground in more than a dozen focus countries and with partners in over 50 nations.

Portland State University is Oregon's urban research university located in the heart of downtown. It is ranked as one of the nation's "Top 10 Up-and-Coming" universities by U.S. News & World Report. PSU offers more than 60 undergraduate and 40 graduate programs in fine and performing arts, liberal arts and sciences, business administration, education, urban and public affairs, social work, engineering and computer science. PSU offers more than 226 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. The 50-acre downtown campus—with the motto "Let Knowledge Serve the City"—places students in a vibrant center of culture, business and technology. This allows students to participate in internships and community-based projects in these fields as well as education, social services, and government. Portland State's award-winning University Studies curriculum provides small class sizes and peer mentoring for all first-year students and culminates in Senior Capstones, which take students out of the classroom and into the field, where they utilize their knowledge and skills to develop community projects. The University has taken aggressive steps to enhance the student experience and campus life, with new student housing and a comprehensive recreation complex and remodeled science and performing arts facilities. Portland State also has bolstered academic and career advising and orientation programs and created new programs to support students. Sustainability—initiatives that balance environmental, economic and social concerns—is incorporated throughout the curriculum and across the campus.