Ecotrust in the News
Willamette Week
February 11, 2009
by Kelly Clark, 503-243-2122
Kiss This: In honor of the sappiest day of the year, we asked Portlanders to smooch what they love best
BETTINA VON HAGEN, CEO of Ecotrust Forest Management
When Bettina von Hagen takes a stroll through the woods, she doesn’t just see trees. She sees an investment opportunity. As the CEO of Ecotrust’s 3-year-old for-profit forest management company, the 50-year-old former banker is essentially in charge of a timber company that’s all about helping forest ecosystems. The company buys up Northwest land, much of it once owned by big industrial timber giants, and aims to redevelop it. “It’s a different type of forestry,” she explains. “One that is focused not only on high-quality timber, but water and biodiversity and scenic vistas and recreation opportunities….” It’s too early to tell how Ecotrust’s gamble will work out; it’ll take five or 10 years to determine how the forests are reacting. But von Hagen, who was born in Peru but has lived in Oregon for two decades, says Ecotrust’s methods can create jobs for rural Oregonians. “Banana slugs are indicators of forest health…,” she mused, when we asked her to kiss something that represented her vision of happy forests. “If I could convince people that this kind of forestry would best serve this region. I would happily kiss a banana slug.” KC
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Ecotrust
Jean Vollum Natural Capital Center
721 NW Ninth Ave, Suite 200
Portland, Oregon 97209
tel: 503.227.6225
fax: 503.222.1517
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