The Natural Step is a Global Sustainability organization that has pioneered a program of sustainability principles and practices.  According to Rick Gruen, the new Placer Resource Conservation District Manager, Natural Step principles where incorporated into the Sustainability Plan they developed in the Portland area.

Here is a link to the Natural Step Website.   This is an excerpt from their ABOUT US material:

Our Story

The size of the problem equals the size of the opportunity

The Natural Step is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to education, advisory work and research in sustainable development. Since 1989, we have worked with thousands of corporations, municipalities, academic institutions and not-for-profit organisations that have proven that moving strategically toward sustainability leads to new opportunities, reduced costs, and dramatically reduced ecological and social impacts.

Rigorous science. Practical solutions.

The Natural Step Framework is a proven, scientifically robust model that helps organisations make pragmatic decisions to move toward sustainability. We research the science of sustainability and link it to real world applications. We create dialogue about the opportunities and challenges in building a sustainable future. We are accelerating change toward sustainability.

A simple idea. An enormous opportunity.

In the late 1980’s, Dr. Karl-Henrik Robèrt, a Swedish doctor and cancer scientist, was treating a lot of children with cancer. He couldn’t help but notice how their families, care providers and the community came together quickly and efficiently with compassion and coordinated resources to try and make a difference. This was in stark contrast to the emerging confusion and debate over the health of the planet.

While examining cells from one of his cancer patients under the microscope, Dr. Robèrt was struck with a very simple, but very powerful idea. What if we could use our agreement on the basic understanding of cells as a platform to understanding the requirements for the continuation and wellbeing of human life? From the perspective of that smallest unit of life, that merges us in a way that goes beyond politics and belief systems, we could build consensus among governments, business people and environmentalists what must at least be agreed to safe guard prosperous life.....