In 1991, Ecotrust, an American charity based in Portland, Oregon, was established with the purpose of developing a conservation-based economy in the Pacific Northwest.

Founder Spencer Beebe set out to work with Indigenous people in the world's largest intact coastal temperate rainforest, located in northwestern BC.

In 1995, Ecotrust Canada received charitable status, marking the beginning of its journey toward building resilient economies in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities.

[6] Former President, Brenda Kuecks, received a Clean50 Award in 2013 for her work in promoting sustainable development and clean capitalism in Canada.

[8] In 2008, Ecotrust Canada received a Special Achievement in GIS award from ESRI in recognition of the organization's work with the Aboriginal Mapping Network.