Ecotrust

Ecotrust is a non-profit organization that promotes mixing natural preservation with development and consideration of the impact that development has on the natural surroundings. They are concerned with the intersection of the environment with the economy. They were created when their founder realized that rather than volunteering his time saving tropical rainforests, he could focus his efforts at home, as the same deforestation was taking place there.

Ecotrust is a non-profit holding company for approximately 18 spin-off non-profits. While the conservation work they do is interesting enough, the space from which they operate is equally interesting. Rather than constantly beg for money, they decided to become landlords and fund their operations with rents collected from tenants within their space. They remodeled an old warehouse in the Pearl District and earned LEED Gold certification for the project, incorporating salvaged and recycled materials, locally sourced and sustainably harvested materials, daylighting, rainwater harvesting and run-off control, green roof, solar power generation, and other design elements, shown in photos below. Enjoy the tour.

Rainwater control includes bioswales and permeable paving

Daylighting is a prominent feature

 

Green roof

Solar

Outdoor meeting space

LEED Gold

Salmon Nation is an interesting concept and revolves around
the realization that "eventually, we all live downstream", and that
one man's run-off becomes another man's drinking water