Ecotrust

What is reliable prosperity?

At Ecotrust, we believe that reliable prosperity is achievable for all of
the world's living beings, human or other. The term "reliable prosperity" is borrowed from the late, great Jane Jacobs, whose books include the now-classics The Death and Life of Great American Cities (1961), The Economy of Cities (1968), and Cities and the Wealth of Nations (1984).

In the foreword to her last book, The Nature of Economies, Jacobs argues that reliable prosperity for all is not possible without a deeper connection with the natural order. She writes, "human beings exist wholly within nature as part of the natural order in every respect." She goes on to say, "This is difficult for many ecologists and economists to accept" and cautions that "readers unwilling or unable to breach a barrier that they imagine separates humankind and its works from the rest of nature will be unable to hear what this book is saying."

At Ecotrust, we hear what Jacobs is saying. In our view, the world's cultural, political and economic systems are ultimately built on the back of the natural order, and the collapse of that order threatens everything else.

Jacobs was an influential member of Ecotrust's board prior to her death in 2006 at age 90.

Mission

Ecotrust's mission is to inspire fresh thinking that creates economic opportunity, social equity and environmental well-being. Ecotrust is headquartered in Portland and is a unique organization; it integrates public and private purpose and for-profit and non-profit structures. Ecotrust's many innovations include co-founding the world's first environmental bank, starting the world's first ecosystem investment fund, creating a range of programs in fisheries, forestry, food, farms and children's health, and developing new scientific and information tools to improve social, economic and environmental decision-making. Ecotrust works locally in ways that promise hope abroad, and it takes inspiration from the wisdom of Native and First Nations. Over nearly 20 years, Ecotrust has converted $60 million in grants into more than $300 million in capital for local people, businesses, and organizations from Alaska to California.

Role

Ecotrust’s role is to innovate, invest and inspire. It is:

1. A “think tank” and a “do tank” designed to identify and test deep innovation;
2. A vehicle for access to capital to invest in promising innovations as proof of concept and scalability; and
3. A growing constellation of public, private, for-profit and nonprofit organizations designed to inspire people around the world.

We work at a bioregional scale because there is a natural competitive advantage implicit in the particular characteristics of every bioregion, and because it has global application.

Measuring Success

Ecotrust measures success by the power and practice of our ideas. We convey our ideas here and abroad through stories of practice at home.

Initiatives

Consulting
Community Ecosystem Services
Fisheries
Food & Farms
Forestry
Knowledge Systems
Native Programs
Natural Capital Fund